My paintings tell tales about different parts of Saudi Arabia and its heritage via modern technology, says prize-winning Saudi artist Bdoor bint Abdullah Al-Sudairy.

Indeed, Bdoor specializes in opening a window in to Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world through contemporary art. Her biggest dream is to be part of a global art exhibition about her homeland.

“Art is an inner message that we convey to the outside world, a means of self-expression. It is through art that people know our culture and civilization. Art has also given me more exposure to other cultures. It gives me the possibility to talk about matters I am interested in,” says the talented artist.

Bdoor won a prize of distinction at the London Art Biennale of 2013 for her work representing the Saudi life. The work, titled ‘Al-Ghat Dates: Candy for the Rich, Nourishment for the Poor’ portrays the importance of dates in Saudi life.

Fresh from the success of her art show in Venice, Bdoor did an interview with Arab News, in which she spills the beans on her work and life:

Tell us about your new exhibition in Venice. How has been the response so far?

The OpenArtCode contemporary art exhibition in Venice was a great success. The opening ceremony on Feb. 4, 2016, at the Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti was attended by several diplomats representing different countries, in addition to art lovers, critics and artists. Buzzing with excitement to see these new artists exhibiting in Venice for the first time, the turn-out for this show was spectacular. More than 300 people attended the opening and about 1000 visitors were registered on the first weekend open to the public.

After the success of the previous exhibition in the salon art capital 2014 — Grand Palais Paris in Paris, I decided to participate in Venice, where a select group of artists from different countries were showing, including those from America, Britain, France, Norway, Japan, China, Sweden, Canada and Germany. The artists were selected based on diverse artistic composition techniques. The exhibition was in the famous Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti, mainly because it lies in the most visited region in Venice next to Gallerie dell’Academia and the Peggy Guggenheim collection; and it overlooks Venice’s most famous bridge, “Accademia”.

Tell us about your prize-winning work in London "Al-Ghat Dates: Candy for the rich, nourishment for the poor."

I wanted to show the importance of dates and Arabian coffee in our culture. So I made a hashtag and urged people all over the world to share related pictures. I got tremendous response as many people shared their pictures with me. I wanted to express my sentiments about the date and its benefits, which are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. So, my painting stresses and highlights our concern for dates and the fascinating natural beauty of palm groves amidst Towaiq mountains.

The palm tree has its roots on the ground and branches in the sky. It symbolizes security, resoluteness and generosity. The palm tree has learned from living on the Arabian Peninsula about patience and cooperation since the ancient times as it stood for safety in the past and generosity in the present.

After my work had been shown in my exhibition at the heritage village in Al-Ghat, a small town 252 km of Riyadh, I participated in the London Biennale International Exhibition. It was the first international award that I received and I was the only Arab to receive the excellence award among 130 artists. I was happy and proud to showcase one of the touristic cities in the Kingdom on a global platform. This city received the Ulysses Prize from the International Tourism Organization. The work was then hosted by the Women’s Museum in Denmark in an exhibition highlighting the accomplishments of Saudi women, titled "Women of Riyadh Arts and Facts". Moreover, the work was also part of the national day of New Zealand. It combines photographic technique with painting art.

Where can we view your work in Saudi Arabia?

You can view them in exhibitions in Riyadh, in addition to my first exhibition in Al-Ghat, as well as art shows held by the Saudi Society for Culture and Arts such as the Bader Poems Gallery.

What role is played by an artist in the development of his or her country and its representation on global platforms?

My artistic contributions focus on highlighting the originality in the local environment and its beauty so the world can see it in a new perspective. Also, my work highlights the rich diversity of the kingdom’s regions to make the painting a window showing the cultural and geographical diversity. I was a member of the jury for a number of competitions and exhibitions in Saudi universities; I was the only Arab jury member to participate in the MICE (Mostra Internacional Cinema Educatiu) film festival in Valencia in 2015. Recently, I supported one of the Saudi designers to participate in Japan’s International exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum by designing the theme of the exhibition. I have also helped in leading the Gulf participation in an international exhibition.

Artists play a significant role in delivering messages that reflect society and its rich heritage. I was also part of a book on successful Saudi women titled ‘Saudi Women A Celebration of Success’ by Dr. Muna Al-Munajjed.

I was selected among the top 10 most important women in Saudi Arabia last year after I received a number of prizes in Italy, Turkey and Britain.

I like to introduce innovative methods in art by breaking traditional rules and producing new styles. I work with mixed media, combining photographic and digital techniques with painting. I organize and participate in exhibitions in Saudi Arabia and abroad.

What are your academic qualifications?

I graduated from Riyadh Art College, and then I studied graphic design.

When did you decide that you wanted to be an artist? Was it something you had always wanted to be or was it by chance?

When I started to express about the community around me and photographing the local environment I started experiencing art. Artistic orientation is not a coincidence, it is by constant trials.

What are you working on now or what are you going to work on in the future?

I am currently staying in New York for a while and I am trying to benefit from the successful experiences to serve the nation, and develop myself and experimenting all that is new.

What do you think of the art scene in Saudi Arabia?

Art in Saudi Arabia is evolving dramatically and it is currently active than previously. I expect the art scene to be more vibrant in the future and hope that the community will interact more effectively. I also wish the private sector plays a role in promoting art.

What is your role in "Colors of Saudi Arabia"?

I am currently managing the ‘Colors of Saudi Arabia’ project, which is the biggest exhibition in the Middle East region and the most important one related to the art of photography and short films.

Which city do you live in Saudi Arabia and how has that affected your paintings?

I live in Riyadh, which has had a direct influence on my paintings. I try to present the city using modern techniques.

What kind of paints and surfaces to paint do you use?

I use common materials such as natural local palm wood and porcelain. For paints, I use acrylic and oil colors in addition to inks.

Are there any common themes in your paintings?

Yes, the Saudi environment and culture is a part of all my work.           

What would your advice be to aspiring painters?

Always experiment, have a keen eye for details and continue to learn and grow along the way.

Tell us something about yourself and your hobbies.

I am interested in visual arts, in Saudi cities and am a lover of detail; I love visiting local and international art shows. I love traveling to get to know other cultures. There are many cultural treasures here that have not yet been discovered. It is the duty of every artist to showcase this heritage of our beautiful homeland, which is our pride, to the outside world.

—

Email: [email protected]