RIYADH: As a multidisciplinary artist, Abdulwahhap Otaif’s diverse artwork returns to one common denominator — a rich reflection of Saudi heritage.
The Saudi artist began his journey in his hometown, Abha, where he gained inspiration from the beauty of his surroundings, and guided by his sister.
“There is no doubt that the environment played a major role, in addition to the creativity of my older sister, who encouraged and nurtured me in the direction of the fine arts field until art became a pleasure and an outlet for me in life,” he told Arab News.
Otaif describes his upbringing as “a simple environment, filled with beauty and diversity, between the corn fields, the plains, the mountains, the scent of jasmine … the weekly popular markets, and the moonlit nights.”
The true artist is the one who deals with and raises in his works the issues and concerns of his society and environment.
Abdulwahhap Otaif, Saudi artist
He began drawing in elementary school and his hobby soon turned into a career.
“My passion for art continued in the middle and high school levels, then my university studies in history and civilization were a fertile field for learning about Islamic arts and architecture in different civilizations,” he said.
Otaif has mastered multiple styles of abstract and realistic artforms using mediums such as clay, oil and acrylic on canvas.
He is known for using dried frond leaves as a canvas to create dotted paintings of Saudi elements such as coffee cups and camels, and prominent figures such as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the late King Abdullah.
“There is no doubt that the Saudi heritage is very rich and diverse, and it provides broad horizons for everyone who searches for it. My project, ‘Memory of the Fool,’ was to present the Saudi heritage in different stages and methods.”
Otaif’s most recent work is an interactive piece made out of clay painted with mosaic designs that aims to stimulate multiple senses: “I try to make the viewer enjoy the work with more than one sense. So, when I spray the clay with water it emits the smell of rain meeting with the clay after a long absence, and this is due to a special technique in shaping and burning clay.”
Otaif’s work is currently being displayed at the Diriyah Doors exhibition in Riyadh.
Speaking about his participation in the local art scene, he said: “I have become an artistic imprint and have excelled in presenting heritage in a contemporary way. My project is celebrated in many organizations and events inside and outside the Kingdom, and my works are even presented as a gift from government agencies to guests from outside the Kingdom.”
Otaif says that “the development of any society is measured by the development and diversity of the arts in it, and the true artist is the one who deals with and raises in his works the issues and concerns of his society and environment.”
He believes in the significance of art as a way to document progress and history: “Also, the arts throughout history bear witness to the development of every society and convey the aspects of life and issues prevalent in that era of time.”
His studio, Kadi Gallery, is located in Riyadh’s Al-Mousa Center, where he continues to create more pieces and exhibits his work.
To explore Otaif’s artwork, visit his Instagram @otaif_art.
