Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape continues to expand with the opening of the new Black Gold Museum in Riyadh, which explores the history and influence of oil through modern and contemporary art.
Per a press release, the museum is the first of its kind; looking at the transformation of oil, as well as its impact on global development and societies.
Unlike traditional science or industry museums, the Black Gold Museum explores oil through artistic, cultural and human lenses.
Bader bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi's minister of culture, said: "The Black Gold Museum marks an important milestone in the arts sector and global cultural discourse.
"As the first permanent museum dedicated to oil and art, it provides an unprecedented space for reflection and critical thought, and for celebrating the transformative power of culture in shaping our understanding of the world."
The museum houses a permanent collection of more than 350 artworks from over 30 countries, created by over 170 leading Saudi and international artists.
It is organised into four interactive sections – Encounter, Dreams, Doubts and Visions.
Encounter showcases the global story of oil's discovery and its early uses in the 19th century, while Dreams investigates how oil became a vital resource and drives global development.
Doubts is a critical reflection on oil's impact and the world's reliance on it, and Visions presents the future of oil through dialogue and discovery.
Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's minister of energy, said the museum aims to present a comprehensive narrative of the history of oil and its impact across all aspects of life.
The Black Gold Museum is housed at the Zaha Hadid-designed King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh.
Another new museum coming to Saudi Arabia is the AlUla Contemporary Art Museum, designed by architect Lina Ghotmeh.
Images courtesy of the Black Gold Museum
