Advocate, collector, and educator of MENASA art.
Putting contemporary MENASA (Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian) art on the map has been Lahd's mission for nearly two decades. Lahd Gallery was launched in 2005 in the city of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Back then, the Gulf region was depleted of local contemporary spaces showcasing works by emerging artists, particularly female artists.
Lahd Gallery was both a pioneer and a game-changer, marking a new era of development and a powerful representation of ideas, philosophies, and qualities.
Moving to London, the United Kingdom, in 2010, Lahd positioned itself at the forefront of contemporary MENASA art, creating a level playing field for those with something to say and who are unafraid to question societal norms. It offered one the freedom to be present, to be seen, to be different, and to be universal. From sleepy towns to bustling cities worldwide, Lahd single-handedly witnessed an intimate connection between its artists and the rest of the world.
The gallery has served as a modern-day agora and a means of representing emotions, cultures, and events that helped understand people's lives people one may not be too familiar with.
Ever since, the face of the Gulf region's art scene changed, growing exponentially in both vision and presence, with galleries and festivals steadily emerging and significant players making solid investments. Near the eve of Lahd's 10th anniversary in 2015, the United Nations acclaimed the gallery's mission.
Today Lahd is an advocate, collector, and educator of MENASA art.