Saudi artists showed their innovative paintings and modern artwork during the first Contemporary Islamic Art Exhibition in Jeddah, under the auspices of the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information. The exhibition was inaugurated on Sunday. The 10-day exhibition at the Saudi Art Center is open for the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 10 p.m. Hisham Bunjabi, the vice president of the fine arts committee under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture and Information, said, “The artistic works are very attractive and symbol of Islamic designs in the past, is unique in its own style, Most of these art works can compete on an international level. The way Saudi artist make themselves noticed is amazing and appreciated.” He further said that the artists should start exposing their talent at a local level to gain confidence. After winning appreciation of the local public, they could show their work in international galleries. He also said there is a need to establish a platform for Saudi artist to promote their work on the international level. “We should be open to foreign galleries coming to Saudi Arabia to move Saudi art to an international level through the Ministry of Culture and Information. Saudi artists shouldn’t do things in a hurry, keep their patience, work hard to become the star of tomorrow,” Bunjabi added. Artist Nihar Marzok said he used gold paper with Arabic calligraphy to give his artwork a modern look and style. “Arabic calligraphy is a very famous art form, used by a number of artists to express Islamic art in different ways. I always try to use new techniques and ways to give this form of art a new style,” said Marzok.