Surrealism Meets Sand: When Magritte and Banksy Sparked a Saudi Bidding Frenzy

A Banksy and a Magritte sharing the spotlight in Riyadh might have sounded improbable a decade ago, but Sotheby’s first-ever Saudi auction turned that vision into reality. The event, titled “Origins,” drew bidders from over 45 countries and racked up $17.28 million in sales, signaling a new era for the kingdom’s art scene. Two headline works—Magritte’s dreamlike "L'État de veille" and Banksy’s sly "Subject to Availability"—each fetched $1.2 million, setting the tone for a night where tradition met the avant-garde. The auction also spotlighted regional talent: Saudi artists like Abdulhalim Radwi and Mohammed Al Saleem shattered their own records, with all local works surpassing expectations. Notably, nearly a third of buyers hailed from Saudi Arabia, and cryptocurrency bids were welcomed, hinting at a future where old-world masterpieces and digital innovation share the same stage. In a place where art auctions were once unthinkable, the gavel now echoes with possibility. #SaudiArt #Sothebys #ContemporaryArt #Culture