Leather Painting Exhibition in Al-Ahsa: The Creativity of 22 Female Artists
In a move reflecting the richness of the Eastern Province's art scene, the Al-Ahsa Culture and Arts Association inaugurated an exhibition showcasing the work of its "Art Training Journey," specializing in painting and pyrography on natural leather. Held at the Sandal Visual Arts Gallery, the exhibition was attended by a select group of intellectuals and art enthusiasts, and featured the creations of 22 female artists, whose work blended high craftsmanship with the rich heritage of Al-Ahsa.
Al-Ahsa: A cradle of arts and a capital of handicrafts
This artistic movement didn't emerge from a vacuum. Al-Ahsa is considered one of the most important cultural centers in Saudi Arabia, and the first Gulf city to join UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in the field of crafts and folk arts. While leatherwork and tanning are deeply rooted in the region's history, this exhibition reinterprets this material with a contemporary artistic vision, transforming it from a mere functional resource into vibrant works of art.
Sustainable technologies and visual creativity
Visual artist Salma Al-Sheikh, coordinator of the Fine Arts and Arabic Calligraphy Committee at the association, explained that the exhibition is the culmination of an intensive five-day workshop. The exhibited works are distinguished by their use of "Suwakni" leather treated with vegetable tanning, a choice that reflects a growing environmental awareness among the artists, as this type of leather reveals the effects of burning with remarkable precision and aesthetic appeal. Al-Sheikh emphasized that the program focused on the concepts of sustainability and recycling, giving the artworks an environmental message in addition to their aesthetic value.
Developing technical skills within a national vision
For his part, Yousef Al-Khamis, Director of the Culture and Arts Association in Al-Ahsa, indicated that this exhibition is part of the "Art Journey II" series, which the association is implementing in four main regions of the Kingdom (Medina, Hail, Al-Baha, and Al-Ahsa). This initiative aims to refine the skills of male and female artists and equip them with new tools that align with the rapid development of the Saudi cultural landscape, in accordance with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for developing the culture and arts sector.
Artistic experiences that reflect heritage and identity
The exhibition featured a remarkable diversity in the themes presented, with the artists focusing on drawing inspiration from elements of the Al-Ahsa environment:
- Documenting historical landmarks: Artist Iman Al-Mubrazi presented a distinctive artwork that mimics the “Amiriyah School”, which is the first formal school in Al-Ahsa, using a large piece of leather to document this historical landmark with modern burning techniques.
- Social Heritage: The artist Iman Saeed Al-Khashram embodied the details of social life and traditional rituals of the Al-Ahsa bride, employing elements such as (henna, the tola, and the night box) in her paintings.
- The challenge of materials: Artist Atab Al-Bahri embarked on a new experience by moving from oil painting and metal shaping to burning on leather, stressing that the challenge lies in adapting the material to serve the artistic idea.
Cultural and societal impact
Dr. Fatima Al-Mulla, Vice President of the Al-Ahsa Girls Association, praised the professional quality of the artwork, emphasizing that such exhibitions contribute to strengthening national identity and documenting the region's tangible heritage in a creative way that appeals to new generations. It is expected that these works will continue to be showcased at future events, opening up investment and cultural opportunities for the participating artists and enhancing Al-Ahsa's position as a leading tourist and cultural destination.
