“Where Do You Come From…?” Celebrating Arab Women Through Art at Novotel Jeddah Tahlia

A powerful dialogue between identity, heritage, and artistic expression is arriving in Jeddah this November. From 06 November 2025 to 06 January 2026, Novotel Jeddah Tahlia will host “Where Do You Come From…?”, an exhibition organized by ZeeArts Gallery that shines a luminous spotlight on Arab women artists and the cultural stories that shape them.

Following its successful first edition in the Netherlands, this second installment comes to Saudi Arabia with renewed purpose: to elevate the voices, perspectives, and creativity of women across the Arab world. Through painting, mixed media, contemporary interpretations, and deeply personal visual narratives, the exhibition invites audiences to travel through the diverse landscapes of Arab identity.

A Tribute to Heritage, Memory, and Home

At the heart of “Where Do You Come From…?” lies a simple but profound question. Each of the 15 participating artists was invited to reflect on this theme and translate it into art — exploring ancestry, personal memory, nationhood, belonging, and the stories carried across generations.

The result is a vibrant collective tapestry of Arab womanhood — a merging of ancient traditions with contemporary reflections, all communicated through the universal language of art.

Curated by a Visionary

The exhibition is curated by Zaahirah Muthy, Founder of ZeeArts Gallery and the global initiative Art Connects Women. For over a decade, she has championed inclusivity, empowerment, and cross-cultural dialogue through the arts.

“This initiative is about connecting and celebrating Arab heritage, culture, and stories through the eyes of women artists,” says Zaahirah Muthy. “For many of the participating artists, this marks their first exhibition in Saudi Arabia — a remarkable opportunity to share their stories and creativity with new audiences. Each artist stands as an ambassador of her cultural heritage, bridging nations through art.”

Artists Representing the Arab World

The exhibition proudly features:

Faezeh Mohammed Hassan (UAE)

Saeeda Albadr (Qatar)

Jamila Al Harthi (Oman)

Noora Ahmed Bayahya (Saudi Arabia)

Salwa Saeed (Egypt)

Nargisse Bennani (Morocco)

Mouna Fersi Seghir (Tunisia)

Labiba Ferhat (Algeria)

Abeer Al Edani (Iraq)

Rania Attrache (Lebanon)

Asma Thabet (Palestine)

Eman Karimi (Bahrain)

Sahar Hasan (Yemen)

Seren Al Khalaf (Syria)

Each artist brings her own cultural lens, visual language, and lived experience — making the exhibition a cross-regional dialogue of extraordinary diversity.

A UNESCO-Aligned Initiative

The project is aligned with Art Connects Women, an annual ZeeArts initiative held under the patronage of UNESCO. Rooted in advocacy for gender parity, cultural understanding, and global artistic exchange, the exhibition contributes to ZeeArts’ continued mission of uplifting women’s voices within the creative industry.

With Appreciation to Novotel Jeddah Tahlia

ZeeArts Gallery expresses special gratitude to Mr. Hilal, General Manager of Novotel Jeddah Tahlia, whose vision and support made this exhibition possible. It marks the first collaboration of its kind for the hotel, bringing a significant cultural event to the heart of Jeddah.

Event Details

Vernissage: 6 November 2025

Time: 19:00

Venue: Novotel Jeddah Tahlia

Exhibition Dates: 06 November 2025 – 06 January 2026

“Where Do You Come From…?” is more than an art exhibition — it is a celebration of Arab womanhood, a bridge between cultures, and an invitation for audiences to reconnect with heritage through the stories of remarkable artists.

It promises to be one of Jeddah’s most meaningful artistic events of the year.