Optimism, energy, determination. Noura Bin Saidan embodies them all, as she brings colour to public spaces all over the world. On a warm September afternoon, we sat down in the artist’s Riyadh studio and after kindly offering Saudi coffee, dates, and chocolate biscuits, she shared her unconventional story.
The choice of street art
“I started with oil painting when I was in middle school, at around 15 years old. After that, I decided to complete my studies at KSU university and study art. Actually, when I was thinking about choosing a master, my teacher told me I should be in real estate, as my family is in the business! My family and my uncles respect art and are proud. For my thesis, the topic was to find an issue around me and a way to fix it through art. At the time, end of the 2000s, the city of Riyadh was quite boring, there was no art outside, no colours. This became my area of study and I suggested using paint, installations, to make the streets and tunnels more beautiful. Ultimately, my choice went to street or urban art because while fine arts are confined to galleries and to a limited audience of people, street art can be seen by everyone: from young to old. It has much more value, for tourism as well, it makes the city more beautiful and it is part of the culture.
After I graduated, I tried to propose my vision to the government, but it was too early. I thought: I have to work on myself, get experience, try events, so I can be ready when the government is.”
Taking off
“In 2017 was my first outside mural that got people’s attention and positive feedback: they were messaging me to thank me weeks after the event. This was the time when the government officially allowed street art.
First mural in Al Ammariyah Dawar, 2017 – © Noura Bin Saidan
The ephemeral horse on Brick Lane, London, 2017 – © Noura Bin Saidan
Artwork in Barcelona, 2019 – © Noura Bin Saidan
I also decided to pain outside Saudi Arabia, in Europe, during the trips I took there. When I work abroad, I compare my art with European artists and I discover different sides of myself. The first time was in London, on a small portion of a wall in Brick Lane, to see people’s reactions. It is now gone! I did it again in Barcelona, a portrait with Arabic calligraphy. People liked it: they took pictures with it and sent them to me.
From there, I was getting requests from restaurants, events, and in 2019, I participated in Middle Beast Festival, which attracted 200 000 people daily. That same year, I opened my art studio. And then my dream assignment came: the government asked me to design and implement art in a tunnel, which was a first for Saudi Arabia. This made me want to work with installations as well, and I now use graffiti with 3D mapping for entertainment.”
Mural of Abdel Halim Hafez, The Boulevard, Riyadh – © emmyinthemix
Mural of “Mona Lisa”, The Boulevard, Riyadh – © emmyinthemix
Standing her ground
“Of course, some people don’t like graffiti because it’s sometimes used to write bad things. But once we talk about mural art, graffiti is leveled up. Artists change the rules of graffiti: they use walls as a big canvas. In the past, it was illegal, and now the government commissions us to paint them. This is part of Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030. It allows me to talk about my culture in a modern way: art is an international language.”
Being strong
“When I decided to be a street artist, I had to be ready for it. It implies working outside, under any weather conditions. When the weather gets tough, only women with passion can do this. You have to be fast, strong, and in control of both your team and your time. People respect and appreciate my art. I am the first mural artist in Riyadh! I feel I have a responsibility as a woman, I have experience and a journey. Sometimes when I work outside, people bring coffee to me and my team! Some take pictures, mention me on social media, and some say they are proud to have street artists. I get energy from people. They are the ones who keep me in good energy and mood. Art is not only for me, it is for people to enjoy.”
Installation at Oasis, for Riyadh Season, 2021 – © Noura Bin Saidan
Being an ambassador
“As a Saudi artist, I have a responsibility to show people what Saudi art is. It is something I like because no one asked me to do it. When I am abroad, people are surprised that we have graffiti artists here. We contribute to changing their opinion. I am proud to show people the other part of art, which encompasses calligraphy. There is no need to have a specific message: just paint something beautiful, and let people appreciate it. It allows everyone to feel something good inside.”
Challenges of the trade
“The most challenging assignment was during Riyadh Season (موصم الرياض), where we have a limited amount of time to produce a large number of murals: in my case it was 16 big murals in 20 days! Now they are covered. The second was while working outside, it rained and all the paint came down. Sometimes, there are lots of mosquitos, or there is no shade. It’s like camping! But most often we enjoy it when it’s unpredictable. Once it’s done, we forget about all the hardships.”
Artistic crush
“MadC: when I first saw her work, I thought “she has power, she did all of that work by herself”! Like her, I like to put colours in my art. Colours mean we are alive.”
MadC, Hero – © HENI Leviathan
To space and beyond
“I want to paint everywhere! Hopefully Paris, Miami, London – this time for an official assignment. I am currently working on painting Saudi women in traditional clothes. My mission is to expand my art outside, to do things outside, show people what Saudi art and culture is.”
Mural with Najdi style in Aseeb restaurant, Riyadh, 2022 – © Noura Bin Saidan
Find out more: - Noura Bin Saidan's Instagram - Her online shop: https://salla.sa/nsart - Watch the video interview: https://youtu.be/J28tS2Frk_Q - Her feature in Saudi coffee year video - Coming soon: She who moves, her first initiative with between Saudi and European artists, with EUNIC national institutes of culture, coming at the end of October 2022. They will paint in Diriyah. - Cover picture: The artist at MDL Beast - © Noura Bin Saidan