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 a distinguished art exhibition showcasing the work of its "Art Training Journey," specializing in painting on natural leather. The exhibition was held at the Sandal Visual Arts Hall, inaugurated by Dr. Fatima Al-Mulla, Vice President of the Al-Ahsa Girls Association, in the presence of the association's director, Yousef Al-Khamis, and a number of art enthusiasts. The exhibition featured the work of 22 female artists from the province.

Al-Ahsa: A hub for arts and creative crafts

This artistic movement didn't emerge from a vacuum. Al-Ahsa Governorate possesses a deep historical heritage that led to its inclusion in UNESCO's Creative Cities Network in the field of crafts and folk arts. This exhibition is an extension of that heritage, striving to integrate traditional crafts with contemporary artistic styles. These events are of great local and regional importance, as they contribute to strengthening national identity and documenting the Kingdom's tangible heritage, in addition to their role in empowering Saudi women in the visual arts sector, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 for developing the cultural sector.

Innovative technologies and environmental sustainability

Youssef Al-Khamis, director of the Culture and Arts Association in Al-Ahsa, explained that the exhibition represents the culmination of the success of the "Second Art Journey" program, which the association is implementing in four regions of the Kingdom. He noted that the program has successfully developed the skills of female artists through the experience of pyrography (painting on leather ), a unique artistic experience that opens new horizons for creativity.

For her part, visual artist Salma Al-Sheikh, coordinator of the Fine Arts Committee, revealed the artistic aspects of the workshop, noting the use of leather from the Swakni region. She emphasized that choosing this type of leather promotes the concept of sustainability and environmental awareness, as the leather remnants were transformed into artistic pieces using 100% natural materials, thus adding both aesthetic and environmental value to the exhibited works.

Female artists' experiences: From heritage to contemporary creativity

The exhibition showcased a diversity of artistic styles, with participants expressing their experiences in innovative ways:

• Atab Al-Bahri: She had her first experience in drawing on leather after a career in metal forming, stressing that art knows no limits and that intensive training contributed to completing the works in record time.
• Eman Saeed Al-Khashram: In her work, she focused on embodying the popular heritage of Al-Ahsa , documenting the details of the traditional bridal trousseau and decorative tools such as henna and tola, to present a picture that pulsates with the fragrance of the past.
• Eman Al-Mubrazi: She employed modern techniques to simulate the “Amiriya School”, the first formal school in Al-Ahsa, considering that drawing on leather added a new dimension to her artistic career and allowed her to combine history with manual skill.

The impact of the exhibition and the future of handicrafts

Dr. Fatima Al-Mulla praised the association's efforts in nurturing these talents, emphasizing that such exhibitions highlight the cultural identity of Al-Ahsa. This exhibition is expected to have a positive impact, encouraging more artists to explore unconventional materials, thus enriching the Saudi art market with works that blend tradition and modernity, and further solidifying Al-Ahsa's position as a leading tourist and cultural destination.