RIYADH: When abstract artist from the city of Abha, Mohammad Al-Shaya, picks up his paint brush, he creates vibrant works depicting the beauty of Najdi culture and heritage.
Al-Shaya presented 54 artworks in a solo exhibition titled “It Was,” which ended on Thursday at Ahlam Gallery in Riyadh’s Al-Mousa Center for arts.
“In my fourth exhibition, I aimed to show a new form of visual text through my paintings and highlight Najdi culture and identity … the paintings depict buildings and doors of Najdi-style architecture.”
Al-Shaya’s streak of prizes began when he was a middle school student in 1989, winning first place at the 11th World Children Art Exhibition in Japan.
“When I was in middle school, I was drawing the nature of the village I grew up in and the people that surrounded me. My teacher decided to send over my drawing and I won first place at the art exhibition in Japan.”
For the past 25 years, Al-Shaya has taught young artists how to paint.
“Throughout my career as an art teacher, teaching children and students, I have learned and benefited so much. The innocence and playfulness in their work is so inspiring for an artist like me.”
He has taken part in many artistic events inside and outside the Kingdom, and has held four solo exhibitions. He also took part in more than 80 joint exhibitions with artists from various regions of the Kingdom.
Al-Shaya uses three mediums to create color and texture paintings: Oil paint, acrylic and chalk.
“In terms of my artwork, I choose the colors in the spur of the moment. I try to create paintings that provoke emotions in the viewer because that’s what makes a successful piece. The odder and more unusual the color palette is, the more the painting will turn out beautiful and striking.”
Al-Shaya created an abstract painting with the colors purple, yellow and red, featuring the year “2030” on the left and right side.
The painting includes ancient inscriptions written in historical languages in a nod to AlUla’s rock art.
“We (Saudis) have a powerful and beautiful legacy, and as artists we must take an element from that legacy and develop it in our own way. Our country has a great vision, and we must collaborate in this new vision of 2030,” he said.
Gallery manager and art curator of the “It Was” exhibition, Saif Youssef, has worked on more than 20 exhibitions with his team at Ahlam Gallery.
“Al-Shaya’s art combines themes of traditional symbolism in Najd with the abstract in a unique way, using movement and strong colors to create his masterpieces,” he said.
Renowned Saudi artists Abdullah Hammas, Mohamed Al-Ajlan and Abdullah Al-Hebi, along with Al-Shaya’s friends and family, visited the exhibition to see the works.
To see more of Al-Shaya’s artwork, visit his Instagram @mohf2013.
Abha artist draws inspiration from Najdi culture
https://arab.news/gq58b
Abha artist draws inspiration from Najdi culture
- Al-Shaya presented 54 artworks in a solo exhibition titled “It Was”
- For the past 25 years, Al-Shaya has taught young artists how to paint
Saudi citizen wanted on suspicion of corruption extradited to Kingdom from Russia
- Abdullah bin Awadh Aydha Al-Harthi was wanted on suspicion of financial and administrative corruption crimes
RIYADH: A Saudi citizen suspected of corruption crimes has been extradited back to the Kingdom from Russia, the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority, Nazaha, announced on Friday.
Abdullah bin Awadh Aydha Al-Harthi was wanted on suspicion of financial and administrative corruption crimes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The transfer was carried out as part of a memorandum of understanding between Nazaha and Russia’s Public Prosecution, and “underscores the strong commitment of both nations to uphold the rule of law and promote international cooperation in the fight against corruption,” SPA added.
Nazaha highlighted the role played by the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office in responding to its official request to extradite Al-Harthi and praised the support of the global Globe E Network and INTERPOL for its continued assistance in tracking individuals involved in corruption crimes and curtailing their safe havens.
Nazaha reaffirmed its resolve to pursue corrupt individuals both within and beyond the Kingdom’s borders, holding them accountable in accordance with Sharia and legal frameworks.
The authority said it remained steadfast in its mission to recover state funds and assets misappropriated through corruption, ensuring they are returned to the national treasury.
Heritage Commission, KSGAAL launch global blog to preserve cultural and linguistic heritage
- The Naqsh blog aims to preserve Arab cultural and linguistic heritage
- Naqsh is a visually documented linguistic blog for Arabic inscriptions found on stones, tablets, rocks or any other artifacts in the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Saudi Heritage Commission, in collaboration with King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, or KSGAAL, launched the Naqsh blog on Thursday on the sidelines of the Saudi International Handicrafts Week exhibition.
The Naqsh blog aims to preserve Arab cultural and linguistic heritage, providing a reliable source for researchers and those interested in archaeology, history, the Arabic language and comparative studies, an official statement said.
The blog also seeks to enhance the scientific reference for trustworthy Arabic data and develop AI models for analyzing and interpreting inscriptions, in alignment with the objectives of the Human Capital Development Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives, and the National Culture Strategy.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, secretary-general of KSGAAL, said that the path of linguistic blogs served related scholars and researchers and was an integral part of the academy’s linguistic work, projects and institutional initiatives.
Naqsh is a visually documented linguistic blog for Arabic inscriptions found on stones, tablets, rocks or any other artifacts in the Kingdom.
The blog includes commemorative, religious, literary and commercial inscriptions that reflect the cultural and social conditions throughout the ages, he said.
The blog highlights the historical and linguistic significance of Arabic inscriptions, understanding the linguistic and cultural development in the region, and also serves as a crucial source for studying the evolution of writing and Arabic calligraphy through the ages, he said.
In early 2024, KSGAAL launched the “Falak” platform for linguistic databases, which includes several linguistic platforms featuring advanced computational tools.
These tools facilitate text analysis and linguistic data tagging and enable Arabic language enthusiasts to collaborate in the field of Arabic language computing.
The “Falak” platform also aims to enhance the scientific reference for reliable Arabic linguistic data. It is one of the academy’s prominent initiatives in the field of linguistic computing, containing more than 1.5 billion words.
Sami Al-Mukhayzim, chairman of the Saudi Historical Society, told Arab News that the Naqsh blog serves as a highly significant historical resource.
Inscriptions are among the oldest tools documenting vivid and accurate information about ancient civilizations. These inscriptions contribute to illustrating the development of writing, ideas, beliefs and the daily interactions of those civilizations, he said.
Abdullah Al-Khuzam, a craft trainer at the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, said that documenting human heritage was one of the fundamental administrative and civilizational methods and an essential enabler for building a growing future grounded in a distinctive historical and archaeological depth.
The Naqsh blog will serve as a reference for future generations, providing them with a foundation as they venture into new and contemporary horizons, drawing inspiration from heritage to develop ideas in a modern form that suits today’s world, he said.
Saudi, Japanese agencies agree to cooperation on humanitarian work
Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have agreed to cooperate on humanitarian work.
KSrelief director of partnerships and international relations, Hana Omar, and JICA’s representative from its Yemen office Kato Ken met on the sidelines of the International Conjoined Twins Conference in Riyadh.
They discussed humanitarian relief affairs, topics on the agenda of the conference, and prospects for cooperation between the two organizations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
JICA praised the Kingdom’s humanitarian and relief programs.
Saudi Arabia to host UN Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh
- Tech experts to discuss internet policies next month
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will host the Internet Governance Forum 2024 next month at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh.
International tech experts will discuss internet policies at the 19th edition of the UN Internet Governance Forum, which will be held between Dec. 15-19 with the theme “Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future.”
The forum is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants from 160 countries, and over 1,000 international speakers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Abdullah Al-Swaha, the Saudi minister of communications and information technology, said the forum was “an exceptional platform in the era of artificial intelligence to enhance international digital cooperation between governments, the private sector, the nonprofit sector, pioneers, and innovators.”
He added it represented an opportunity to exchange ideas to achieve economic growth, prosperity for societies and a sustainable digital future to serve humanity.
The event will host 300 sessions and workshops, during which participants will discuss the latest internet governance policies and emerging digital challenges while sharing best practices in the field.
The forum will revolve around four main topics: innovation and risk in the digital space; development and sustainability; promoting human rights and inclusiveness; and improving the digital governance of the internet, the SPA added.
A journey through time: Saudi woman transforms century-old house into a heritage hotel, offering a unique cultural and spiritual experience
- Located just a few kilometers away from the Prophet’s Mosque, the Anarat Boutique blends the authenticity and charm of heritage and culture with the spirit of modernity
MAKKAH: A heritage hotel in Madinah located in the city’s historic Al-Mughaisilah neighborhood is attracting scores of people from around the world.
The Anarat Boutique is just a few kilometers away from the Prophet’s Mosque, blending the authenticity and charm of heritage and culture with the spirit of modernity to offer visitors a one-of-a-kind cultural and spiritual experience.
May Al-Musallam, the project’s founder who transformed the century-old house into the heritage hotel, said: “Anarat Boutique represents a unique model in showcasing the heritage identity of Saudi Arabia, especially amid the prevalence of modern glass-designed buildings. Instead of focusing on modern architectural features, the project highlights the beauty of heritage through furniture and intricate artistic details.”
She highlighted continuous efforts to promote the boutique concept and expand its visibility across the Kingdom, introducing visitors to the beauty of Saudi culture through heritage and historical buildings.
“The building was restored using basalt stone, the same material originally used in its construction, along with traditional materials from the past. Very subtle touches were added to preserve its authenticity. The design and restoration process was led by a specialized team from Tech Design in collaboration with consultants to ensure the highest standards of durability and safety,” she told Arab News.
“Although it was a bold and unique idea, its success was expected due to the strong belief in the concept and meticulous planning. With the support of the Madinah Municipality and collaboration with consultancy entities, the project was executed to meet the highest quality standards.”
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with visitors expressing admiration for the intricate heritage details and the unique lodging experience.
“Anarat Boutique has been opened to welcome guests from all over the world, offering exceptional services that include a personal concierge and a certified tour guide to introduce visitors to the key landmarks of Madinah,” Al-Musallam said.
To book a tour, visit the boutique’s Instagram account or connect through Airbnb.
Al-Musallam added: “The boutique has seen a significant influx of visitors seeking a distinct tourist experience. What sets Anarat Boutique apart is its authentic Madinah-style details, presented to guests in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
“Anarat Boutique is not just a tourist destination, but also a bridge connecting the past and present, offering a window into the authentic spirit of Saudi heritage in its most beautiful form.”
The project’s marketing manager, Ghina Al-Hakari, described the tour experience as “a journey through the rituals of the people of Madinah in the past, teaching visitors about the culture, traditions and customs of the place. The building and the surrounding areas are steeped in history, and we have provided a tour guide with each room to narrate the story of the past.”
She added: “This location is the first branch of Anarat in Madinah and represents the first of 13 planned regions, God willing. Each region will have its own unique details and character, making every experience distinct.
“This experience targets explorers and history enthusiasts, telling the story of the past. As we say in Anarat’s motto: ‘Live the history, live Anarat’.”
Al-Hakari added that many regions in Saudi Arabia are rich in heritage that must be highlighted.
“We provide a wide range of services in the neighborhood, including guided tours of the city and transportation to the Prophet’s Mosque. Through our partners, we also offer a variety of dishes.
“During Ramadan, God willing, the courtyard will transform into a vibrant hub of activities, making the area a remarkable experience for visitors.”
She added: “The heritage home experience is a unique journey through time, allowing visitors to live the rituals of the people of Madinah and explore the culture, customs and traditions of the place.
“This type of experience is distinguished by its historical immersion, as the buildings and surrounding areas are deeply rooted in history, giving visitors a chance to engage directly with the past.”
