Riyadh, April 07 (QNA) - Saudi Arabia has inaugurated the "Black Gold Museum" at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh, offering a cultural and artistic exploration of the profound transformations oil has brought to societies worldwide.

Unlike traditional science or industry museums, the Black Gold Museum presents oil through a humanistic and artistic lens. It features a permanent collection of more than 350 modern and contemporary works by over 170 Saudi and international artists from more than 30 countries.

The collection includes works by prominent artists such as Manal AlDowayan, Ahmed Mater, Muhannad Shono, Mohammed Alfaraj, Ayman Zedani, Doug Aitken, Jimmie Durham, Dennis Hopper, Alfredo Jaar, Renaud Lairac, and George Sabra.

Through large-scale installations, photography and archival materials, the museum explores the impact of oil on shaping societies, economies and daily life.

The museum is organized into four interactive sections -- Encounter, Dreams, Doubts, and Visions -- which collectively explore the evolution of oil, its societal impact, and future outlook. (QNA)