Cloud7 Residence AlUla Marks International Day For Biological Diversity With New Permanent Mural Exhibition

The new exhibition brings local artists to the forefront with work inspired by AlUla’s endemic flora

Cloud7, the brand behind AlUla’s ambitious Art Residence by Kerten Hospitality, is launching a new mural installation inspired by the diverse, endemic flora of the ancient Saudi landscape.

Launched on 22 May, the new permanent exhibition will take up residence at Cloud7’s Residence AlUla – a new project comprising 150 serviced bungalows creating a true artistic and creative community. The launch coincides with the annual International Day for Biological Diversity, dedicated to exploring humans’ relationship with the natural world, protecting the world’s vibrant and precious ecosystem, and promoting sustainability. The resort's ‘neighbourhoods’ are named after AlUla's flora, providing a navigational guide within the property. Plants like Moringa, Patella, Jujube, Acacia, and Chamomile were chosen to distinguish the various spaces, renowned for their medicinal properties and culinary and cultural significance.

The new exhibition will showcase the work of five local Saudi artists who have taken inspiration from AlUla’s flowers, foliage, and trees to create the showstopping display, while also incorporating cultural elements from AlUla, such as weaving patterns, historical engravings, and glyphs. 

Homegrown artists include Abdulaziz Arafah, a visual art teacher at Madac International School, expressing Saudi culture through Expressionism and Impressionism, and Ohood Abutwimh, a highly active artist trained at Prince’s School of Traditional Art and mastering painting, crafting and colour theory inspired by nature. 

Amal Alenzi also features - a full-time artist who has participated in six murals inside AlUla, mastering oil paint to create works inspired by nature. Born and bred in AlUla, Raghad Arafah also features in the exhibition, using her hometown’s heritage and naturex and heritage to inspire her geometric designs and creative shapes. Completing the line-up are Ghdeer Alnjdi, a fine artist and muralist known for her large-scale canvases and walls inspired by the nature and heritage of the region and Ashwaq Abuhusain, a full-time artist and Prince’s school graduate whose work is displayed across AlUla.

The mural exhibition is the start of an ongoing project promoting art through murals and art residencies. The initiative forms part of Cloud7 Residence AlUla, a community bringing together local artists, food-preneurs and small businesses to live and work. The ambitious new project launched in early 2023 and aims to create a self-sufficient ecosystem with a unique and affordable community. Cloud7 aims to add a further 150+ bungalows by the end of 2023, demonstrating its support of the region’s socio-economic development agenda as a leading global destination for art, culture, and heritage.

Cloud7 Residence AlUla is managed and operated by Kerten Hospitality in partnership with The Royal Commission for AlUla and AlUla Development Company. The brand comprises a collection of bespoke brands for hotels, residences, serviced apartments, serviced offices, restaurants, entertainment, and wellness that aim to transform spaces through impactful local collaborations, innovation, and the creation of unique experiences. Kerten Hospitality’s operations in the Kingdom are tripling in 2023, as the group is strongly invested in delivering Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.