The new versus the old in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is a relatively new phenomenon,

Contemporary art in Saudi Arabia is a relatively new phenomenon. There are few galleries, and opportunities for artists are limited. But photographer Ahmed Mater has gained international attention and is enjoying his first solo museum show in the US. In Symbolic Cities at the Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington, he explores the impact of economic development in Saudi Arabia, and in particular, on the holy city of Mecca.