Fatimah Al-Nemer, an award-winning Saudi artist, began drawing when she was five; by the age of fourteen she wanted to make a career out of it. “Initially, I used black and white, and then I used colors and began to focus on light spaces and dimensions. Eventually, I used acrylic colors and media art to express feminine characteristics,” Al-Nemer told Saudi Gazette. Al-Nemer focuses on women's issues and their suffering. After studying plastic art, she focused on the human body through collages and acrylic colors. Her sheer hard work and dedication has enabled her to showcase her work in the Middle East, and also at the Scandinavian Countries Exhibition, the Prince of Wales Museum in India, the Contemporary Art Exhibition at the Contemporary Art Museum in Sweden, the Jarash Festival Exhibition in Jordan, and several other venues in Kuwait, Morocco and Jeddah. She has also received awards for Contemporary Saudi Art and calligraphy, and won a Ministry of Culture and Information youth competition. Artists still struggle to gain recognition in the Kingdom. However, the country recently launched its first public outdoors art exhibition. “It is difficult to hold an exhibition in the Kingdom due to the laws and regulations imposed on us, particularly in the Eastern Province. There are so many pressures and restrictions attached to permits for exhibitions,” said Al-Nemer. “All this is because of some people that have nothing to do with art yet take a negative approach towards it. This is what drives Saudi artists to hold exhibitions overseas. We have complicated laws and few exhibitions as a result. Besides, most halls are located in one region,” she added. Al-Nemer believes that different forms of art are interconnected. “Art and photography can make a strong impact on the world. This is the age of globalization. We can reduce the time it takes an artist to reach stardom,” she said. The young Saudi is a full-time artist and organizes exhibitions to be held in the Middle East and abroad. “In my eyes, all forms of art are interconnected and intertwined with each other. Anything new and exciting can motivate me to depict things from a completely different perspective in a renewed and innovative way,” she said. Many forms of art have influenced Al-Nemer. “I love them and was influenced by them. I do not have a role model because I am still searching for beauty. Wherever I see beauty, I feel attached to it,” she said. Art is growing in popularity within the Gulf and events are being held regularly, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. People from all over the globe attend these exhibitions. “The largest art market is in the Gulf, especially Dubai, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. We have the biggest art lovers in these countries, something that tells us that people's awareness of art has increased,” she added. “An artist is a mirror of his society. He should focus on social issues and suggest solutions because he represents the voice of people and civilization,” said Al-Nemer, who is working on a project for Middle East artists that will be held in Geneva and another one in London thereafter. “Global artists will attend the second one in September. I have another exhibition in Jeddah and I will also participate in the Arabian Wings auction, which will be held in Jeddah,” she added. Following the Islamic Arts Festival in Sharjah, Al-Nemer is to hold an exhibition in Dubai in March, which is a joint project between artists from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a further one in Washington and Kuwait. “I will also be participating in an exhibition of contemporary art in Paris with a group of international artists,” she added.
