WHERE THE DWELLERS LAY

2022

Where the Dwellers Lay is a sculpture that draws inspiration from the vernacular architecture of AlUla. Inspired by the archaeological site of Hegra, Awartani’s artwork takes the form of a concave geometric sculpture that references the Nabataean tombs and their decorative facades. The 10-fold design of the structure is rooted in both the stairwell pattern that is commonly found carved on the exterior of the tombs, as well as in the artist’s expertise in Islamic geometry, making it an artwork that fuses the different cultural civilizations that have inhabited Saudi Arabia.

This cave-like structure, that is made out of locally sourced stone, is intended to be a space of contemplation and reflection. Placed amongst the rock formations of AlUla, the sculpture pays homage to its environment by using earth tones of the landscape allowing it to blend into its environment giving it a sense of belonging and continuity.