JEDDAH: Saudi photographer Najla Al-Khalifa is known for her striking landscape images, but the award-winning artist’s latest collection was inspired by a subject much closer to home — her mother.
Al-Khalifa showcased a series of images based on her family at the Sikka Art Fair in Dubai’s historic Al-Fahidi district.
The 10-day fair offered artists from the UAE and Gulf region the chance to exhibit works in the district’s heritage homes.
The internationally recognized Al-Khalifa said her mother had been a major influence on her photography career and was the inspiration for her latest collection.
“I was once out with my mother in the car and I noticed her hands. She always holds her hands in a specific way. I took a photograph of her without her realizing, and from then I got the inspiration to take pictures of my parents and family.
“Every person’s hand is unique, and along with different personalities, people have specific gestures that set them apart. I find that fascinating,” Al-Khalifa said.
The photographer’s mother helps guide her and is happy to offer opinions on her work. “The ‘heart hand’ picture is her favorite,” Al-Khalifa said.
“Perhaps she considered this particular photograph as a reflection of her, that she is a thriving heart for all her family. She asked for a united picture where we are all together. When we are united we are stronger.”
Al-Khalifa said she was surprised by visitors’ responses to her work.
“Many people at the exhibition related to the family aspect because everyone has a mother, either alive or dead. I would stand outside the room and see people’s astonishment.”
Some images in the collection featured transcriptions of Islamic verses.
“Every religion instructs people to take care of their loved ones. Our religion asks us to be close to our families, and be kind and gracious to them.”
Speaking on her nature collection, which highlights Saudi Arabia’s vast landscapes, Al-Khalifa said: “Many people think that Saudi Arabia is all desert, but I try to show the greenery we have and the mountains. When people see the different kinds of nature we have, they are astonished.
“It’s a joy to produce images that reflect our country. I try to show things that others don’t know about.”
The photographer also examines aspects of Saudi culture in her work.
“When I was young, we used to travel a lot. People who were told my nationality would remark that we were wealthy from oil. But I wanted people to reflect on the beauty of my country and to underline its diversity and beautiful heritage.”
Al-Khalifa said photography will always be important to her: “It’s my voice and a way to express myself. Photos are my wings — they help me take flight.”
Al-Khalifa has won 38 international and regional awards, including the International Photography Awards (New York), London’s Sony and the European Arab Photography Festival (Hamburg). In August 2015, she was the first Saudi woman to win the French Prix de la Photographie competition.
‘The heart of my family’: Saudi artist focuses on mother’s love
‘The heart of my family’: Saudi artist focuses on mother’s love
KSrelief chief meets Palestinian ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and Mazen Ghoneim discussed Saudi humanitarian efforts to support Palestinians in Gaza
RIYADH: The supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, met the Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Ghoneim on Wednesday in Riyadh.
Al-Rabeeah and Ghoneim discussed Saudi humanitarian efforts to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Ghoneim expressed his gratitude to KSrelief and praised its strong relationship with the Palestinian people, the SPA added.
KSrelief initiated various projects to support Palestinian hospitals and humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing Israeli war.
Earlier in December, KSrelief sent 20 fully equipped ambulances to boost the health sector in Gaza.
It also distributed aid and food parcels that benefited nearly 3,500 Palestinians, some of whom were displaced in the Gaza Strip.
Saudi-Qatari security, military committee meeting held in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif and Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani chaired the second meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council’s Security and Military Committee in Riyadh on Wednesday.
During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in areas of common interest, to achieve the aspirations of the two nations’ leaders and people, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Prince Saud praised the efforts made by both sides to achieve joint initiatives.
Saudi-French writing residency yields ‘Saleeg and Baguette’ play at Riyadh Theater Festival
- Work developed by young Saudi playwright Ghada Aboud
- She seeks to promote ‘understanding’ between cultures
RIYADH: The Riyadh Theater Festival, concluding on Dec. 26, has shone a spotlight on “Saleeg and Baguette,” a play that presents a fusion of the cultures of Saudi Arabia and France, and which comments on the financial tribulations of a married couple.
Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission and supported by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, the festival is being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The play was among the works selected by a committee of experts for its relevance and artistic merit.
The thought-provoking show was developed by young Saudi playwright Ghada Aboud, who received a grant from the French Ministry of Culture to take part in a Franco-Saudi artistic residency at La Chartreuse, the National Centre for Performance Writing.
Aboud told Arab News: “I am a Saudi writer who has dedicated her life to publishing novels, films and plays that help people empathize with themselves and others and reconcile their contradictions, because in the end we are all human.”
The play focuses on the unstable marriage of Rima and Khaled, a young couple facing financial difficulties linked to the hotel Rima inherited from her mother.
Throughout the play, the couple have to overcome the tensions and pressures of their precarious economic situation.
Their story highlights the difficulties inherent in modern relationships, where financial problems can exacerbate conflicts and test the strength of their union.
Through poignant dialogue and tense moments, the writer explores themes of love, responsibility and survival, while reflecting on the expectations and dreams of young couples that are often dashed.
Faced with their own personal problems and frustrations, the characters see the hotel as a miraculous solution to their worries. They believe that by investing in this new venture they will escape their everyday difficulties and make a fresh start.
Speaking about her inspiration for the story, Aboud said: “In the current financial climate, pressures are weighing heavily on individuals, particularly couples.
“This can lead to the breakdown of marriages and families. I chose to test the couple’s bond by exposing them to a financial problem. Will their marriage be strengthened or broken by financial difficulties?”
However, the hotel, instead of solving their problems, exposes new layers of complexity and conflict.
“Writing is about sharing experiences and cultural influences on creativity. My residency at La Chartreuse with Odyssee allowed me to exchange my culture with French theater artists and to experience French theater and culture,” Aboud added.
“It’s important to me to create a narrative that promotes understanding between cultures, particularly France. Given the cultural cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France, I’m looking to show the common human elements between the different nationalities.”
Aboud uses dark humor as a tool to explore the complexities of married life and human relationships. By tackling serious themes in a light-hearted way, she creates a space where the audience can reflect on sensitive subjects without feeling overwhelmed.
“My aim as an author is to make the audience laugh and cry. I try to balance bittersweet and sweet themes through dark comedy. This creates empathy, self-pity, reflection and reconciliation,” she said.
“My dream is to present my work to French audiences,” Aboud added. “I will try to find ways to present it in France and highlight the shared human experiences between Saudi Arabia and France.
“I hope to draw attention to the financial burdens and problems of marriage, as well as the fusion of Saudi and French music.”
KSrelief’s health aid benefits six countries
- The center’s projects supported thousands of people across Turkiye, Yemen, Poland, Nigeria, Sudan and Mauritania
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has health projects supporting thousands of people across Turkiye, Yemen, Poland, Nigeria, Sudan and Mauritania.
In Turkiye, KSrelief recently completed a week-long neurosurgery project in Hatay, delivering 1,062 services to 403 patients.
In Yemen’s Hadramout governorate, a 14-member team provided orthopedic care, examined 152 patients, performed 59 surgeries, and completed 68 physiotherapy sessions in one week.
The Aden governorate had a week-long urology project with nine specialists examining 53 people and performing 109 surgeries.
In Poland, KSrelief fitted prosthetic limbs and provided rehabilitation for 32 Ukrainian refugees in Rzeszow in one week, utilizing innovative Direct Socket technology.
In Nigeria, KSrelief’s Saudi Noor project staff treated 4,000 patients, performed 423 eye surgeries, and distributed 1,000 prescription glasses.
In Sudan, a week-long pediatric surgery project in Port Sudan had specialists treat 36 children and complete 54 surgeries.
In Mauritania, a 10-day urological project in Nouakchott had eight doctors perform 80 specialized surgeries.
Creative writing program to train gifted Saudi students
- The program, involving 182 students from across the Kingdom, takes place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar, with an e-learning option for broader participation
RIYADH: The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission has launched the second Generation of Literature program to develop creative writing skills among gifted students.
The program, involving 182 students from across the Kingdom, takes place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar, with an e-learning option for broader participation, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
In collaboration with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, or Mawhiba, the program aims to nurture literary talent, refine skills and provide hands-on training in writing.
Focused on middle school students, the program explores genres such as science fiction, detective stories, children’s stories, short stories and essays.
It enhances linguistic abilities like reading comprehension, language adaptation, metaphor interpretation and artistic imagery creation, the SPA reported.
The program also aims to improve research and investigation skills, including observation, comparison and analysis, while fostering problem-solving, critical thinking and self-confidence.
