Inside ‘States of Light,’ Princess Reem Al Faisal’s photography exhibition  

Inside ‘States of Light,’ Princess Reem Al Faisal’s photography exhibition  
“States of Light,” according to a press release “explores the intersection of existence, reality and the Divine.” (Supplied)
Updated 16 January 2025
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Inside ‘States of Light,’ Princess Reem Al Faisal’s photography exhibition  

Inside ‘States of Light,’ Princess Reem Al Faisal’s photography exhibition  
  • The acclaimed photographer discusses her black-and-white imagery and her upcoming shift to color 

RIYADH: Over the past two months, a collection of black-and-white photographs taken by Princess Reem Mohammed Al-Faisal, granddaughter of the late King Faisal, has been on display at Riyadh’s L’Art Pur Foundation.  

“States of Light,” according to a press release “explores the intersection of existence, reality and the Divine.” Through her lens, Princess Reem masterfully captures the interplay between light and shadow, transforming simple moments into meditative and poetic reflections on life, spirituality, and human connection. The exhibition, curated by Christiane Ashkar and Mohammed Al Shammaery, runs until Jan. 30. 




A collection of black-and-white photographs taken by Princess Reem Mohammed Al-Faisal, granddaughter of the late King Faisal, has been on display at Riyadh’s L’Art Pur Foundation. (Supplied)

The show invites visitors on an evocative journey beginning in Jeddah at the Islamic Port — Saudi Arabia’s maritime gateway to its sacred sites — and moving through Makkah and Madinah to key locations such as Mina, Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah, the Jamarat, and the Grand Mosque. These photographs not only capture the physical spaces but also convey the atmosphere at these holy sites, allowing viewers to reflect on the sacred in the everyday. 

Art critic Laetitia Guillemin describes Princess Reem’s imagery like this: “A muffled sound, an outspoken whisper: in each image, half-lights tell a story, carrying away the voices of inner silence.”  




Princess Reem Al-Faisal at the opening of ‘States of Light.’ (Supplied)

Guillemin highlights the way Princess Reem uses light to evoke emotions and inner thoughts, revealing moments of stillness and contemplation through the simplicity of black-and-white photography. In her work, the half-light is not just a technical feature but a symbolic element that invites the viewer into a deeper space of meditation. 

“In our modern culture, we have been trained to focus upon the physical, although we see through our mind, will, and emotion. There is a spiritual dimension that is expressed through beauty and creativity. This is what I try to achieve for myself through my work,” Princess Reem has previously said. Her photography is not just about capturing an image, but about translating the unseen. “Art without spirituality is not art; it is decoration,” Princess Reem says. “The essence of life, of the human being, is spiritual.  

She describes Arabic poetry and “the rich imagery it contains” as her greatest inspiration. “Photography is a modern form of poetry, and I use it to condense complex philosophical ideas into a single image,” she says.  




“States of Light” features images from her international travels — including China, Egypt, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Syria, and the United States. (Supplied)

“States of Light” features images from her international travels — including China, Egypt, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Syria, and the United States — but it is in her depiction of the pilgrimage sites in Makkah and Madinah where the depth of her spiritual engagement is most evident. Her photographs convey not just the architectural grandeur of these locations but their profound spirituality. Through the careful manipulation of light, Princess Reem captures meditative moments of prayer and contemplation, where time seems to stand still. 

Princess Reem’s exhibition is not just a collection of photographs; it is a meditation on the eternal, a dialogue between the material and the spiritual, and a reflection of her deep-rooted connection to her cultural and spiritual heritage. As her photographs explore the divine in the everyday, they invite viewers to contemplate their own relationship with the eternal and the unseen. The absence of color invites the viewer to focus on the essence of the scene, devoid of distractions. “Black-and-white is metaphysical. It gives you the metaphysical side of art,” says Princess Reem. “People can get distracted by color and forget about the image itself, but a black-and-white photograph forces people to focus.”  

And in an era dominated by digital photography, Princess Reem remains committed to using traditional film. “99 percent of my work is on film,” she says. “The depth, the rendition of the shades, the textures… all of this is far more superior in film.”  

Despite her passion for black-and-white imagery, Princess Reem says she is currently working on a new series of color images.  

“I’ve been going around photographing Saudi Arabia in color. It will be my new focus. Currently, it’s just Saudi Arabia, but maybe other countries in the future. What I find fascinating is that color photography changes my perspective,” she says. “In black and white, my focus was on shades, shadows, and light. But (now), the color itself becomes the subject. It’s fascinating, and it’s beautiful. This shift has completely changed my approach to photography.” 

Whether photographing in black and white or in color, however, Princess Reem stresses that, first and foremost, her focus is on creating work that expresses something meaningful, not on creating something that will sell. A true artist, she emphasizes, should not be motivated by money, but by a deeper calling.  

“If my work doesn’t cost $10,000 a piece, then (people say) my work has no value,” she says. “But the concept that art is (just) a career is totally wrong.” 


Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai
Updated 11 February 2025
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Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

Cartier exhibition brings regional celebrities to Dubai

DUBAI: French luxury label Cartier this week hosted its “A Journey of Wonders” high jewelry exhibition in Dubai, drawing a star-studded lineup of regional celebrities. 

Among the attendees were Egyptian Montenegrin actress Tara Emad, Tunisian actor Dhafer L’Abidine, TV presenter Raya Abirached and entrepreneur and host Anas Bukhash. Each guest showcased Cartier’s signature pieces.

Emad wore pieces from the Trinity Collection, featuring a mix of pink, yellow and white gold. Her ensemble included Trinity earrings with black lacquer and diamonds, a matching Trinity necklace and bracelet, and a Trinity ring incorporating the same materials.

The actress, who recently debuted a new short haircut on Instagram to her three million followers, paired her jewelry with a tailored black pantsuit by Lebanese designer Elie Saab. The ensemble featured a structured blazer with sharp lapels and intricate gold stitching along the edges and pockets.

Abirached wore a black Magda Butrym midi-length dress. (Supplied)

Abirached wore a black Magda Butrym midi-length dress featuring a strapless, structured bodice and an asymmetrical draped detail at the waist. She accessorized with Cartier’s Grain de Café collection, known for its intricate detailing. Her jewelry included Grain de Café earrings, a necklace and a ring, all crafted in yellow and white gold and set with diamonds. She completed the look with black open-toe heels adorned with floral embellishments. 

Meanwhile, L’Abidine, who sported a black suit, chose a refined selection of classic Cartier designs, wearing a Santos de Cartier watch in steel paired with a Love bracelet in white gold. 

L’Abidine sported a black suit. (Supplied)

Bukhash, on the other hand, opted for a mix of the brand’s signature pieces, including a Santos Dumont watch in yellow gold, a Juste un Clou bracelet in white gold, and a Love ring in white gold. 

Bukhash opted for a mix of the brand’s signature pieces. (Supplied)

These stars, who also serve as ambassadors for the brand, have previously collaborated with Cartier and attended its events.

In 2023, Emad, L’Abidine and Bukhash walked in the brand’s runway show in Dubai. 

That same year, in April, Emad starred in a Cartier campaign alongside L’Abidine, Tunisian-Egyptian actress Hend Sabri and Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek.


Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark
Updated 11 February 2025
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Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

Review: Hulu’s ‘Muslim Matchmaker’ has heart, but not enough spark

TORONTO: “Muslim Matchmaker” premiered on Hulu this week. The series is directed and produced by Smriti Mundhra (of Netflix’s “Indian Matchmaking” fame).

But this time around it’s not Sima Aunty and her outrageous comments, but rather two older sister types – Hoda Abrahim and Yasmin Elhady – who are helping eight Muslim Americans find love.

The premise of their matchmaking business is the “Rules of Three: Three dates, three months, and three hundred questions.” In an era of dating apps and superficial swipes, the duo urges couples to approach their search for love with intention. They emphasize the importance of giving the relationship time and space to grow while asking the right questions.

The eight-episode show provides a fresh perspective on Muslim Americans as they navigate both their Muslim and cultural identities in the West. It offers captivating discussions on topics like cultural expectations when dating an older woman, the appropriate timeline to “date,” and finding a partner with an equal “halal-to-haram ratio.” These discussions are sure to resonate with many. And perhaps, offer a glimpse into a Muslim world that’s rarely seen in mainstream Western media.

The show comes with good intentions. For one, it acknowledges dating app fatigue. It offers a refreshing take with matchmakers who approach singles’ choices without judgment or sacrilegious remarks about “wanting too much” (looking at you, Sima Aunty).

But that’s also probably the biggest failing of the show. Dating shows thrive on drama – and there’s none here.

Tension doesn't surface until episode four. A Bengali-American woman is older than the man she’s dating, and cultural norms deem this unacceptable. We’re left on a cliffhanger, wondering how the Bengali-American man will disclose the relationship to his family.

It shouldn’t take that long to get us hooked.


Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign
Updated 10 February 2025
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Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign

Saudi creative Sarah Taibah stars in Loewe’s Ramadan campaign
  • Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe”

DUBAI: Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe has unveiled a Ramadan campaign directed by Lebanese Sudanese auteur Dana Boulos and starring Saudi actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah and Saudi Olympic rower Husein Alireza.

The cast is rounded out by Omani artist Mays Almoosawi, Kuwaiti visual artist Najd Al-Taher, Emirati film director Sarah Al-Hashimi, Kuwaiti DJ Cascou and Bahraini contemporary artist Salman Al-Najem.

Taibah shared behind-the-scenes photographs from the campaign shoot on Instagram, jokingly captioning the post “GCCCCC. The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ Cutest Creatives Crew, brought together by @loewe.”

The campaign promotes the brand’s Silver Capsule Collection, its first-ever release for Ramadan by designer JW Anderson. With the concept, creative direction, casting and production by Between Us Boys Studio, and post-production handled by DAHOUL Studio, the clip focuses on a clock ticking down until iftar, the meal that breaks a Muslim’s fast during Ramadan.

The Silver Capsule Collection released at select stores the Middle East and at Harrods in London, on Sunday.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Dana Boulos (@danaboulos)

The collection sees the brand’s signature bags get a Ramadan makeover; the Puzzle bag appears in vetiver crocodile, while the Flamenco clutch and Squeeze bag are offered in metallic textures with intricate beading. The ready-to-wear selection boasts silky belted pajamas, soft nappa leather sets, and day-to-night silk dresses.

Los Angeles-based Boulos, who directed the campaign, has worked on short films, music videos, and fashion commercials for the likes of Mercedes Benz, Glossier, and Farfetch.

For her part, Taibah shot to fame for her show “Jameel Jeddan,” the first Saudi show starring, written, and created by a Saudi woman.

The plot of the 2022 release was anything but typical. Strong-headed Jameel wakes up from a five-year coma and is forced to finish her last year in high school and rejoin a society she no longer associates with. As a coping mechanism, she begins to experience glitches in the form of an animated alternative reality.

Taibah is currently working on off-beat Saudi romcom “A Matter of Life and Death,” which she wrote. The film is being directed by Anas Batahaf and will star Taibah and Yaqoub Al-Farhan.


Saudi-backed film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ gets US festival debut

Saudi-backed film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ gets US festival debut
Updated 10 February 2025
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Saudi-backed film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ gets US festival debut

Saudi-backed film ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ gets US festival debut

DUBAI: Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Fund, Egyptian filmmaker Khaled Mansour’s “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” had its US premiere at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

With screenings on Feb. 9, 11, and 14 at the US festival, the film travelled to the country after screenings at the Venice Film Festival and Jeddah’s Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF) in 2024.

The first Egyptian film to screen at September’s Venice Film Festival in 12 years, “Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo” tells the story of protagonist Hassan as he searches for a safe haven for his best friend, his beloved dog Rambo, after the canine is threatened by their landlord.

“The story of ‘Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo’ focuses on my generation and, through Hassan’s journey, we went deep into our thoughts, beliefs, fears, and sense of belonging. This project took about eight years to make because I intended to present unique and genuine cinema,” Mansour told Arab News at December’s RSIFF.

The auteur, who has also directed three short films and a mini-series titled “Rawaa Reads” (2023), continued: “It is my first feature-length narrative film, and this film is not (just) about a dog and his friend, but it is about the complexities of our generation, highlighting (the) struggle … that we go through in our society.”

The film was inspired by a real incident that resulted in an Egyptian court jailing four men in 2015 over the brutal killing of a dog, which was filmed and sparked outrage when the video went viral.


Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining

Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining
Updated 09 February 2025
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Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining

Sotheby’s ‘Origins’ auction in Diriyah achieves more than $17 million in sales, with Saudi artists shining

RIYADH: Sotheby’s inaugural auction in Saudi Arabia, titled “Origins,” concluded on Saturday with a total of $17,283,840 in sales in the fine art and luxury categories.

The historic event at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace was a turning point for the Kingdom’s art and luxury scene, with Saudi artists garnering significant attention.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by (@visitdiriyah)

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Company, highlighted the significance of the collaboration between Diriyah and Sotheby’s.

“A few years ago, we decided that Sotheby’s, as a 277-year-old brand, had to match up with Diriyah because the value systems were the same, and you can’t be Sotheby’s without being in Diriyah,” he said in his opening remarks.

The modern and contemporary art section featured works by Saudi artists that collectively realized $1.1 million in sales.

Abdulhalim Radwi’s vibrant 1984 market scene set a personal auction record, selling for $264,000 after fierce bidding online and in the room. (Supplied)

Mohammed Al-Saleem’s untitled work, sourced directly from the artist’s daughter, led the Saudi work on offer.

The piece, blending abstract Arabic calligraphy with Al-Saleem’s vision of Saudi landscapes, sparked intense competition among four bidders before selling for a remarkable $660,000 — triple its pre-sale estimate.

Abdulhalim Radwi’s vibrant 1984 market scene set a personal auction record, selling for $264,000 after fierce bidding online and in the room.

Ahmed Mater’s “Illumination Diptych (Makkiah Tale)” exceeded expectations at $102,000.

Mater, one of Saudi Arabia’s most acclaimed contemporary artists, is internationally celebrated, with works displayed by institutions throughout the Arab world, the UK and the US.

Rene Magritte’s “L’Etat de veille” sold for $1.2 million. (Supplied)

Maha Malluh’s “Magadeer” (from the “Food for Thought” series), inspired by the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Najd area of the Kingdom, sold for $84,000, also surpassing its estimate.

When it came to international works, surrealist Rene Magritte’s “L’Etat de veille” sold for $1.2 million and Fernando Botero’s “Society Woman” made $1 million. Meanwhile, Banksy’s “Subject to Availability” from his series of vandalised oils, sold for $1.2 million.

The luxury segment dazzled collectors with an extraordinary selection of rare items, such as a Patek Philippe Grand Complication watch, a Cartier diamond necklace from the Art Deco era, and a limited-edition Hermes Birkin bag crafted from exotic leather.

Collectors from 45 countries took part in the auction, demonstrating its global appeal, while nearly one-third of the lots were bought by buyers from Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, more than 30 percent of participants were under the age of 40, reflecting the growing interest in art and luxury items among younger generations.