Jordanian Artists Shine at Riyadh Handicrafts Week
Inside the vibrant Jordanian pavilion at the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, known locally as Banan, two remarkable artists are drawing crowds and admiration for their intricate expressions of Jordanian heritage.
From the coastal city of Aqaba, artisan Yazan Eid mesmerizes visitors by transforming layers of graded sand into stunning images inside glass bottles. With 15 years of experience, what began as a hobby has grown into a professional passion. Now a shop owner in Aqaba, Eid is showcasing his talent for the first time at Banan, having previously presented his work in European exhibitions.
Utilizing silica sand, renowned as one of Jordan’s purest natural resources, Eid skillfully crafts miniature scenes and names inside bottles with astonishing precision—smaller works take as little as five to ten minutes, while more intricate pieces can require up to two hours. The artwork not only celebrates the natural beauty of Jordan’s sand but offers international visitors a unique souvenir reflecting the country’s cultural legacy. As Eid shares, the event provides an unparalleled opportunity to “showcase Jordanian heritage.”
Just steps away, fellow Jordanian artist Khaled Abu Alia is captivating onlookers with a completely different medium. His innovative works combine recycled electrical wires and natural stones handpicked from across Jordan. Whether sourced from the mountains of the north or valleys in the south, each stone carries a distinct energy and character that shapes the final creation.
“My art is rooted in ‘wire and stone,’” says Abu Alia, who describes his process as a blend of “spontaneity and precision.” Discarded wires are repurposed and twisted into expressive forms, entwined with stones like moonstone, stream stone, and various kinds of Jordanian quartz, often guiding the evolution of the artwork itself. The result is a practice deeply inspired by Jordan’s rugged terrain and textured landscapes.
Abu Alia, now a veteran of Banan with three years of participation, finds renewed joy in watching visitors discover how seemingly discarded materials can be reborn as art. “Many are surprised by how ordinary wires can be transformed into pieces that reflect the spirit of Jordan’s mountains and the texture of its rocks,” he remarks.
The week-long celebration, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture’s Heritage Commission, gathers over 400 artisans from more than 40 countries, creating a dynamic forum of cultural exchange. Supported by the announcement of 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, the festival promotes both economic empowerment and cultural preservation for artisans across the globe.
As the warm lights of the Riyadh exhibition halls illuminate Jordan’s handcrafted treasures, it becomes clear that the talents of these artists have done more than just decorate—they’ve sparked a meaningful dialogue between cultures, nations, and materials.
Signed,
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
