Saudi visual artist turns passion for Arabic calligraphy into icons of beauty

1 / 2
There were many visual artists in the iconic village and Al-Mutlaq participated in several exhibitions held there in the summer for three years. (Supplied)
2 / 2
(Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 23 December 2022
Follow

Saudi visual artist turns passion for Arabic calligraphy into icons of beauty

MAKKAH: Khaled Mohammed Al-Mutlaq has turned his passion into art in the governorate of Hafr Al-Batin in northeastern Saudi Arabia.

As a child Al-Mutlaq was interested in art and calligraphy, including drawings and fonts.

Al-Mutlaq said: “My parents were the first to encourage me to do that. My passion continued until I joined secondary school in Al-Muftaha Village in the city of Abha. The village was founded for culture, art and heritage, and from there was the actual beginning of developing the hobby through learning more about art schools there and attending workshops.” 

There were many visual artists in the iconic village and Al-Mutlaq participated in several exhibitions held there in the summer for three years. 

“After that, the artistic experiments and participation continued. I did not lose sight of my passion for Arabic calligraphy, devoting daily efforts and long hours until I obtained a license in Arabic calligraphy, in its six types, from Arabic calligraphy professor Abbas Al-Baghdadi,” Al-Mutlaq said. 

“I started my project of integrating the aesthetics, meaning and form of calligraphy with artworks,” Al-Mutlaq said. 

“Arabic calligraphy is characterized by a very high cultural and heritage value and an Arabic depth in which the Holy Quran was revealed. The Arabic calligraphy is distinguished from all other writings by the presence of the long vowel, dots and short sound symbols that made the alphabet an art that moves even when it is static,” he said. 

He has participated in many international and local exhibitions, including “Between Civilization and Contemporary” in Al-Muftaha Village in 2000. In 2005 he participated in the Arabic calligraphy exhibition at the King Abdulaziz Public Library, and the “Lamsat Wafaa” (“A Touch of Loyalty”) exhibition in Asir Region in 2017. Most recently, he was part of the miniatures exhibition in Riyadh in 2022. 

Al-Mutlaq won first place in the International Falcons Club competition in visual art; he has also held several internal artistic workshops. 

He said that the difference between calligraphic painting and visual painting in Arabic calligraphy is that the traditional calligrapher relies on the imitation of letters according to established rules. “So the calligrapher works on the calligraphy painting and its letters in the most complete manner that enables the artist to adjust the rule for letters, their dimensions and their golden proportions of mass, space and balance distribution. This adjustment is preceded by templates, experiences and possibilities because letters have many forms, and the artist needs to use the appropriate ones to complete the work.”

Al-Mutlaq said that the visual calligraphy paintings differ, as color and mass are part of the work. There is also some freedom and space in interconnection, composition and repetition. “Thus, I use Arabic calligraphy with a focus on the details of the aesthetics of the Arabic letter in the visual paintings. As for art collectors, these works are more desirable than classic works. They are also more desirable for connoisseurs.”

He is currently working on his first solo exhibition.


Matcha lovers, anime fans flock to Japan Festival in Riyadh

Updated 5 sec ago
Follow

Matcha lovers, anime fans flock to Japan Festival in Riyadh

  • Festival celebrates Japanese technology and products
  • Major car brands demonstrate new models

RIYADH: Thousands of people flocked to the Japan Festival held recently in Riyadh, which attracted businesspeople, matcha tea lovers, anime fans, and car enthusiasts alike.

Organized jointly by the Embassy of Japan, the Japan External Trade Organization, and the Japanese Society in Riyadh, the festival was held at the Saudi capital’s Cultural Palace and hosted around 8,000 visitors over two days.

A JETRO spokesperson told Arab News that more than a few Japanese have been keeping a close eye on Saudi Arabia’s future potential.

“For Japan, Saudi Arabia has been one of the most important trade partners due to two reasons. One is that Saudi Arabia has been the biggest exporter of crude oil to Japan and the other (is that) Saudi Arabia highly evaluates Japanese technologies, in particular transportation equipment,” the spokesperson said.

On Japan-Saudi exports, the JETRO spokesperson noted that Japanese exports to Saudi Arabia totaled $6.36 billion in 2023, up 25.2 percent from the previous year.

Of that total, transportation equipment accounted for 70.2 percent of total exports. Automobiles grew 31.3 percent to $4.25 billion, with passenger cars and buses/trucks growing 32.8 percent and 24.2 percent respectively.

Imports declined $34.78 billion, down 19.2 percent from the previous year. Crude oil and crude oil imports, which account for 95.7 percent of total imports, declined 17.9 percent to $33.3 billion due to lower crude oil prices and production cuts. In 2023, oil imports from Saudi Arabia accounted for 40.4 percent of Japan’s total.

Major car brands like Mitsubishi and Toyota were on display at the event, as well as several technology, beauty, art and recreational brands.

Trading house Itochu, and Kumon, the children’s educational network, were some of the big name brands participating in the event.

Stage performances showcased a number of Japanese cultural offerings including a drum performance by the students of the Japanese School in Riyadh, a martial arts demonstration, a tea ceremony, umbrella juggling, live painting, and performances of popular traditional and anime songs.

Guests were able to learn about Japanese tourism, play with traditional toys, learn origami, and try on a Japanese kimono or yukata.

Visitors were also educated on Japanese tourism, and enjoyed traditional Japanese toys, calligraphy and craft workshops.

In the booth area, Japanese industrial products with cutting-edge technology and Japanese cars from major brands were displayed.


Camel organization welcomes Saudi HQ approval

Updated 3 min 45 sec ago
Follow

Camel organization welcomes Saudi HQ approval

RIYADH: The International Camel Organization welcomed the Saudi Cabinet’s decision to approve a headquarters agreement between the Kingdom’s government and the organization.

The decision reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support for the camel sector and its efforts to elevate its role internationally, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Fahd bin Falah bin Hathleen, chairman of the camel organization, expressed his gratitude for the Cabinet’s decision.

He said: “The organization has worked over the years to develop strategies and policies to promote the global camel economy. These efforts aim to advance rural and desert communities, preserve heritage and culture, foster scientific research, and encourage camel-related sports that attract global interest.

“Additionally, we have organized international events, expanded partnerships with global organizations, and prioritized camel welfare, health, and regulations governing their movement.”

Bin Hathleen said that the Saudi Cabinet’s decision underscores the government’s commitment, under King Salman’s leadership, to strengthening the organization’s role and enhancing international cooperation in the camel sector.

He noted that the decision aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to foster sustainable development, support key sectors, and boost international collaboration to benefit camel breeders and owners locally, regionally, and globally.

This achievement also supports the Year of the Camel and the International Year of the Camelids 2024 initiatives, which are designed to highlight the untapped potential of the animals, SPA reported.

These initiatives advocate for increased investment, further research, capacity-building, and the adoption of innovative practices and technologies in the camel sector.


3rd Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity underway in Riyadh

Updated 25 November 2024
Follow

3rd Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity underway in Riyadh

  • More than 300 talented individuals and local and international speakers from over 50 countries were attending the three-day conference

RIYADH: The third edition of the Global Conference for Giftedness and Creativity opened in Riyadh on Sunday, bringing together a select group of experts and talented individuals in science, technology, and innovation.

More than 300 talented individuals and local and international speakers from over 50 countries were attending the three-day conference, which was inaugurated by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, governor of Riyadh region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Organized by the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, also known as "Mawhiba," the conference is being held at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) until Tuesday.

Themed "Beyond Creative Minds," the conference aims to showcase the potential of the gifted, develop a comprehensive care system to support them, bolster integration and strategic partnerships, and enhance opportunities for global exchange and cooperation.

An exhibition and various cultural visits are being held on the conference sidelines, the SPA report said.

According to the Mawhiba site, the conference reflects the success achieved in the two previous editions, and "provides an opportunity for partners to contribute to sponsoring the journey of talented people from different countries of the world."

 

 


Saudi-European talks to strengthen cooperation in environmental fields

Updated 25 November 2024
Follow

Saudi-European talks to strengthen cooperation in environmental fields

  • Saudi minister, EU security and political officials discuss reinforcing existing work on coping with climate change

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir met with European officials on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Al-Jubeir, who is also the Saudi climate envoy, held talks with Delphine Pronk, chair of the EU Political and Security Committee, and Luigi Di Maio, EU special representative for the Gulf region.

They discussed issues surrounding climate change and environmental cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the EU, as well as ways in which existing cooperation on tackling climate change could be strengthened. They also talked about the recent development in foreign policy in Europe and the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia maintains a strong dialogue with the EU, with both parties sharing views on several foreign policy issues, including the Saudi-led Arab Peace Initiative for the Middle East.

The EU and Saudi Arabia are also linked through trade relations, with the EU becoming the Kingdom’s second main trading partner after the volume of trade exchange between Riyadh and Brussels peaked at $80 billion in 2023.


Saudi FM arrives in Italy to attend G7 ministerial meeting

Updated 24 November 2024
Follow

Saudi FM arrives in Italy to attend G7 ministerial meeting

RIYADH: Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Italy on Sunday to participate in an expanded ministerial meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) countries in Fiuggi, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The meeting will discuss the current situation in the Middle East, SPA added.

During his stay in Fiuggi, Prince Faisal will hold a number of discussions that will address regional and international issues.