Riyadh's JAX cultural district expands with Lift gallery arrival

The JAX cultural district in Riyadh has seen expansion with the arrival of the Lift gallery. Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of Lift, aims for the space to be more than a conventional gallery. JAX, located on the outskirts of Riyadh, is a burgeoning creative community, and Lift serves as a hub for art enthusiasts to view, engage with, and exchange ideas about art.

Initially launched in 2020 in central Riyadh, Lift relocated to JAX in late 2024. The 6,500 sq. ft space, designed by the Saudi architecture firm Quartz, is fully open to the public and offers flexibility with moveable walls and multi-use spaces suitable for workshops, studios, and exhibitions. The gallery supports artists across various disciplines, including visual arts, design, film, photography, and fashion, with a particular emphasis on nurturing emerging Saudi and regional talent.

Collaborations with Saudi and international artists, such as eL Seed, Bradley Theodore, and Zhuang Hong Yi, have been part of Lift's activities. JAX, which opened in 2021, has been growing rapidly and now includes venues like the Diriyah Biennale Foundation and SAMoCA, as well as numerous artists' and designers' studios, cafes, and galleries.

The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, another significant event, is part of a broader initiative to enhance the kingdom's cultural standing.