Saudi Arabia is offering a promising for the growth of emerging artists.
Visitors have long been drawn to the rich legacy of the old Jeddah town
and the neighboring Hijaz region.
Miniature models of ancient neighborhoods are made by artist Abdulrahman Eid in a
highly detailed, hyper-realistic manner.
The public is drawn to astounding creations.
He is a Syrian artist who has resided in the Kingdom for 18 years and
is influenced by Hijazi culture and artistic legacy in his work.
In 1997, Eid was born in Damascus.
Before to relocating to Saudi Arabia, he assisted in the restoration and renovation
of old buildings and pieces of art, such as antiques, manuscripts, and paintings.
As he thinks jewelry design could and should be much more popular in the Middle
East, he currently works as a jewelry designer in Jeddah and aims to teach
others through courses and workshops.
I collected many books and old photographs of various Orientalists and studied how
they were documenting the country in the 30s, 40s, and 50s,”he said toArab News.
Some houses and neighborhoods with important historic value do not exist anymore, and I
do not want to diminish any of their value.
I collected various elements from different houses and made it into one
unnamed neighborhood that imitates the reality of the past,” he said.
Intricate miniature items available in the stores include handmade carpets, hanging
lamps, lanterns, ancient household items, vintage swords and other weaponry, mirrors,
presents, and pilgrim-targeted handicrafts.
His designs feature Rawashin, the carved latticed windows common to the region,
as well as other panelings, moldings, and door designs that are peculiar
to traditional Hijazi architecture.
Eid claimed to have benefited from the expertise of a wide range
of experts who are knowledgeable about ancient Jeddah, including
academics, architects, construction engineers, and local authorities.
He claimed that Saudi Arabia was becoming into a favorable atmosphere
for the growth of new artists.
There are now many more galleries, a genuine movement has started.
I think that this trend in Saudi Arabia will give young people a variety of possibilities
as well as increase the standard and level of competitiveness among them.
Such competition is crucial to enhancing artists’ skills and the quality of works
of art presented to the public”, he said.