An American-Jordanian artist has expressed her love for Riyadh in a stunning collection boasting 26 paintings and reflecting her passion for Saudi Arabia.
The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh Hotel has recently hosted Aida Murad’s first exhibition in Saudi Arabia under the theme of “A Love Letter to Riyadh”.
“I fell in love with every part of the people, the nature, the energy,” Murad told Arab News.
The artist intended to depict the diversity of the city through her outstanding paintings.
“So, naturally, I had to express my love through art, which is, in this case, 26 abstract paintings that are love letters.”
“It’s a Colorful World,” for instance, includes actual leaves the artist collected from the city’s Diplomatic Quarter, which she said represented the diversity of its people.
Murad explained that she walked around the Diplomatic Quarter in order to gather leaves for paintings.
“What I have done is actually walk around the Diplomatic Quarter and gather leaves, which felt really beautiful because I felt like a child just being curious, playing and walking around. I got different leaves and painted them with different colors to celebrate the diversity that I have met in Riyadh, while also honoring nature,” she added.
Interestingly, Murad believes that the prominent feelings behind the artworks are nourishment and gratitude.
“I hope you will take away from this exhibition a feeling of nourishment. Really, it’s a nourishment and gratitude to standing on the land that we are on … and a deeper appreciation for the people and for being alive,” she said.
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