artists, to express themselves and
create works that resonate across society.A faculty member of the Art and Design
department at Jeddah University,
Al‑Ghamdi is on a mission to help other
artists find their way in the art world.“New opportunities are opening up
for creative Saudi art students to
develop their skills, display their
work, and fulfill their ambitions,”
she says. “It is an inspiring time
to be an artist in Saudi Arabia.”
What inspires you most as an artist?
I grew up in southwestern Saudi Arabia,
surrounded by traditional domestic
architecture. All my art reaches back to
the memory of these spaces and that
culture. I am inspired by history, by stories,
and by memories of places related to my
childhood. Identity, loss, and storytelling
are all important to me. I focus on the loss
and extinction of traditional architecture.I want my work to inspire intense feelings
and emotions. Like other land artists, I
use raw materials such as sand, clay, rock,
and leather to express my feelings and
bring out strong reactions in the viewer.How is the Saudi art world changing?
When I started out, my art was just a
hobby. The arts scene at that time inContent by the Buzz BusinessQ & ASaudi Arabia did not make it possible
for me to go professional. Changes
in the art world here have opened
vnew doors for me, not only locally,
but even internationally. The Ministry
of Culture is now developing major
events and supporting Saudi artists.
These changes have made it possible
for me to make a living from my art.What is it like making installations
in the deserts of Saudi Arabia?
I have always wanted to take my art
pieces outside the walls of the gallery.
This dream became possible with the
Desert X project at Al‑Ula, supported
by the Ministry of Culture. Al‑Ula isAl‑Ghamdi’s work is inspired by the culture and landscape of the desert villages where she grew up.I WANT MY ART TO BESOMETHING YOU CAN FEEL ,NOT JUST SOMETHING YOUCAN SEE.—ZAHRAH AL-GHAMDI,ARTISTa magical, beautiful place. It used to
be a crossroads of many different
civilizations. I chose to install 6,000
tin cans traditionally used for storing
dates, in many different colors and
sizes. I filled the metal containers
with reflecting mirrors andw various
shades of sand. The idea was to
show how people of different races
and backgrounds can come together
in this one stunning landscape. I
called it Glimpses of the Past.What advice do you give to your
students who are beginning
their lives as artists?
I am passionate about teaching art. I
always try to teach my students that
to make art, you need to combine
ideas, feelings, and skills.
Some Saudi students are very shy about
expressing how they feel or think. I see
it as a success if I can push my students
out of their shyness and make them
braver about expressing themselves
with their art. I encourage them to
display their work outside college. And
I teach them that art is limitless.Al‑Ghamdi’s stunning installation After Illusion was
one of the highlights of the 2019 Venice Biennale.