Whimsical Scenes from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
BFA Showcase, Undergradute Exhibitions at SITE Galleries, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, April 2025:
‘Raheeb’ Sumadah
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Wearable sculpture / Fashion Jewelry
Aluminium, dark red patina, chains, magnets
2x2”
2024, Chicago, IL, United States of America.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Raheeb Sumadah is a head-jewelry piece that was first digitally designed by the artist, then cast in aluminum using the traditional lost-wax method with the help of the class team at the foundry facility at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago.
Sumadah is the name of this dual-square head jewelry that hangs on the hijab. This type of head jewelry is specific to the Al-Zahrani tribe in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The artist invented a new method for hanging this piece. The piece also encourages the "I cannot hear negative thoughts and comments!" brat mentality.
The name 'Raheeb' is the title of a 1995 album cover by Abdulmajeed Abdullah, a Saudi soul singer favored by many Saudi girls. His romantic poems celebrate the pride and elegance of Saudi girls, and the word 'Raheeb' itself means "awesome," describing her as "awesome and beyond description."
This artwork was exhibited at the BFA show in April 2025, at SITE Galleries, School of The Art Institute of Chicago
Aluminium, dark red patina, chains, magnets
2x2”
2024, Chicago, IL, United States of America.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Raheeb Sumadah is a head-jewelry piece that was first digitally designed by the artist, then cast in aluminum using the traditional lost-wax method with the help of the class team at the foundry facility at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago.
Sumadah is the name of this dual-square head jewelry that hangs on the hijab. This type of head jewelry is specific to the Al-Zahrani tribe in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The artist invented a new method for hanging this piece. The piece also encourages the "I cannot hear negative thoughts and comments!" brat mentality.
The name 'Raheeb' is the title of a 1995 album cover by Abdulmajeed Abdullah, a Saudi soul singer favored by many Saudi girls. His romantic poems celebrate the pride and elegance of Saudi girls, and the word 'Raheeb' itself means "awesome," describing her as "awesome and beyond description."
This artwork was exhibited at the BFA show in April 2025, at SITE Galleries, School of The Art Institute of Chicago
The Bedouin Lady and The Oil Barrels
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Ceramics Sculpture / Diorama
Ceramics miniatures, mason glaze, luster, fabric, wood, and sand
2x3 ft.
2023, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This This diorama celebrates the rich culture of the the Saudi Arabian desert. It captures a Bedouin lady waving to welcome her guests, who are approaching from a distance. She is wearing a burqa, a black face covering with a thread that bridges between the eyes—an ancient Bedouin women's wear designed to beautify the eyes and draw focus to them.
For her guests, she has prepared 'Kabsah', the national dish of Saudi Arabia, which features chicken or lamb over rice. The scene also includes a Coke bottle, a bon fire, and a Saudi coffee pot. The diorama also features her camel, sheep, and pyramid of stacked oil barrels, a nod to a common joke about American assumptions that Saudi people have oil barrels in their backyards.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
Ceramics miniatures, mason glaze, luster, fabric, wood, and sand
2x3 ft.
2023, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This This diorama celebrates the rich culture of the the Saudi Arabian desert. It captures a Bedouin lady waving to welcome her guests, who are approaching from a distance. She is wearing a burqa, a black face covering with a thread that bridges between the eyes—an ancient Bedouin women's wear designed to beautify the eyes and draw focus to them.
For her guests, she has prepared 'Kabsah', the national dish of Saudi Arabia, which features chicken or lamb over rice. The scene also includes a Coke bottle, a bon fire, and a Saudi coffee pot. The diorama also features her camel, sheep, and pyramid of stacked oil barrels, a nod to a common joke about American assumptions that Saudi people have oil barrels in their backyards.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
Saudi Brat: The Wedding
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Oil Painting
Wood, brass, oil paint, beads
8x5”
2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Saudi Brat: The Wedding, is a Triptych Displaying a beautiful and romantic moment in a Saudi brat girl life; Getting married to the man of her dreams. Nothing like Saudi love!!!
Left to Right: The triptych opens to show Men's Section, Bride and Groom, Women's Section, referring to Saudi Arabian culture of Male and Female Gatherings segregated to honor women's privacy out of respect and elegance that Saudi women embody.
The triptych closes to show 2 vibrant and excited little Saudi brat angels guarding the ceremony! This celebration is pictured with important Saudi Arabian symbols such as the 'Mibkhar', an incense burner specific to Saudi Arabian culture- which the man on the left is holding-, and the 'Dallah', Saudi coffee pot the woman to the right is holding. The colors are bright, playful, and so brat; embodying so much festivity and brattiness in this piece.
This artwork was exhibited at the 2025 BFA Show at the SITE galleries, the School of The Art Institute of Chicago.
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Oil Painting
Wood, brass, oil paint, beads
8x5”
2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Saudi Brat: The Wedding, is a Triptych Displaying a beautiful and romantic moment in a Saudi brat girl life; Getting married to the man of her dreams. Nothing like Saudi love!!!
Left to Right: The triptych opens to show Men's Section, Bride and Groom, Women's Section, referring to Saudi Arabian culture of Male and Female Gatherings segregated to honor women's privacy out of respect and elegance that Saudi women embody.
The triptych closes to show 2 vibrant and excited little Saudi brat angels guarding the ceremony! This celebration is pictured with important Saudi Arabian symbols such as the 'Mibkhar', an incense burner specific to Saudi Arabian culture- which the man on the left is holding-, and the 'Dallah', Saudi coffee pot the woman to the right is holding. The colors are bright, playful, and so brat; embodying so much festivity and brattiness in this piece.
This artwork was exhibited at the 2025 BFA Show at the SITE galleries, the School of The Art Institute of Chicago.
Wood, brass, oil paint, beads
8x5”
2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Saudi Brat: The Wedding, is a Triptych Displaying a beautiful and romantic moment in a Saudi brat girl life; Getting married to the man of her dreams. Nothing like Saudi love!!!
Left to Right: The triptych opens to show Men's Section, Bride and Groom, Women's Section, referring to Saudi Arabian culture of Male and Female Gatherings segregated to honor women's privacy out of respect and elegance that Saudi women embody.
The triptych closes to show 2 vibrant and excited little Saudi brat angels guarding the ceremony! This celebration is pictured with important Saudi Arabian symbols such as the 'Mibkhar', an incense burner specific to Saudi Arabian culture- which the man on the left is holding-, and the 'Dallah', Saudi coffee pot the woman to the right is holding. The colors are bright, playful, and so brat; embodying so much festivity and brattiness in this piece.
This artwork was exhibited at the 2025 BFA Show at the SITE galleries, the School of The Art Institute of Chicago.
Romantic Intimate series: He Call Me Habibti, Sumadah Brat |, and Sumadah Brat ||
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Oil Paintings on Wood
Plywood, Oil paint, curatin
4x5” (x3)
2023, 2024, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This body of work captures the romantic lives of Saudi women. Intimate scenes that need such a privacy even when showcased. I displayed this body of work with an interactive element. Viewers were invited to move the curtains to view the work due to its sensitive nature. The Shailah or Tarhah (veils), the Head jewelry, the brattiness. All of it.
Plywood, Oil paint, curatin
4x5” (x3)
2023, 2024, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This body of work captures the romantic lives of Saudi women. Intimate scenes that need such a privacy even when showcased. I displayed this body of work with an interactive element. Viewers were invited to move the curtains to view the work due to its sensitive nature. The Shailah or Tarhah (veils), the Head jewelry, the brattiness. All of it.
Saudi Raver Girl
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Oil Painting on Wood
Plywood, Oil paint
4x5”
2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Inspired by my deep love for Chicago's underground rave scene and the long nights dancing to DJs until 7 a.m., I painted this Saudi Brat wearing her 24-carat-gold 'Sumadah'.
The Sumadah is a head jewelry specific to the Al-Zahrani Tribe from the southern lands of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it comes in gold and silver. Following my computer-designed Sumadah that I poured in the foundry facility at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, I began to envision this beautiful, elegant piece of legacy that adorns southern Saudi women on their heads.
The Sumadah also serves as a way to say, "No, I cannot hear your low-class comments on me! I'm too cute for that shit!" since this head jewelry covers the ears and hangs on the hijab, draping its chains down to the chest.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
Plywood, Oil paint
4x5”
2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Inspired by my deep love for Chicago's underground rave scene and the long nights dancing to DJs until 7 a.m., I painted this Saudi Brat wearing her 24-carat-gold 'Sumadah'.
The Sumadah is a head jewelry specific to the Al-Zahrani Tribe from the southern lands of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and it comes in gold and silver. Following my computer-designed Sumadah that I poured in the foundry facility at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago, I began to envision this beautiful, elegant piece of legacy that adorns southern Saudi women on their heads.
The Sumadah also serves as a way to say, "No, I cannot hear your low-class comments on me! I'm too cute for that shit!" since this head jewelry covers the ears and hangs on the hijab, draping its chains down to the chest.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
Music on The Oil Barrel
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Oil Painting on Wood
Plywood, Oil paint
4x5”
2023, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This artwork was painted to celebrate the Saudi National Day 2023; it was timed with the Saudi Orchestra Playing ‘Marvels of Saudi Music’ in NYC; featuring the famous ‘Khatwah’ percussion on the oil barrels from ‘Aseer’ region. I talked about this artwork in details with Mya Nicole Jones for f Magazine; click here to read the article.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
Plywood, Oil paint
4x5”
2023, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This artwork was painted to celebrate the Saudi National Day 2023; it was timed with the Saudi Orchestra Playing ‘Marvels of Saudi Music’ in NYC; featuring the famous ‘Khatwah’ percussion on the oil barrels from ‘Aseer’ region. I talked about this artwork in details with Mya Nicole Jones for f Magazine; click here to read the article.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
In The Pomegranet Garden
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Oil Painting on Wood
Plywood, Oil paint
4x5”
2023, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This artwork was inspired by the German painter Emil Nolde's oil painting Im Zitronengarten. The artist reinterprets Nolde's captured romance into Southern Saudi Arabian folklore and translates this romantic scene to be specific to the Al-Bahah region and its pomegranate gardens. The woman is wearing a traditional embroidered Thoub Mukallaf dress and Al-Mindeel (orange veil) and is being gifted a pink rose from her fiancé, who is wearing a traditional Saudi Arabian Thoub and Shimagh.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
* The Aluminum Sumadah and cermaics piece displayed in the photos are NOT included in the sale of this artwork.
Plywood, Oil paint
4x5”
2023, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This artwork was inspired by the German painter Emil Nolde's oil painting Im Zitronengarten. The artist reinterprets Nolde's captured romance into Southern Saudi Arabian folklore and translates this romantic scene to be specific to the Al-Bahah region and its pomegranate gardens. The woman is wearing a traditional embroidered Thoub Mukallaf dress and Al-Mindeel (orange veil) and is being gifted a pink rose from her fiancé, who is wearing a traditional Saudi Arabian Thoub and Shimagh.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
* The Aluminum Sumadah and cermaics piece displayed in the photos are NOT included in the sale of this artwork.
Southern Saudi Girl Picnicking with her Cat
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Ceramics / Diorama
Clay, luster, moss
3x3x3”
2023, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This miniature ceramic sculpture captures a beautiful and romantic moment of solitude for a Southern Saudi girl. She is picnicking with her cat in a beautiful garden, surrounded by her Saudi coffee pot and a cheesecake.
She is wearing the traditional embroidered 'Thoub Mukallaf' dress, which is specific to the Al-Zahrani tribe from Southern Saudi Arabia, along with the traditional gold Sumadah head-jewelry from the same tribe.
What is most amazing about this sculpture is that despite its tiny size, all the pieces are movable and not just a single piece of clay. Even the strawberry on top of the cheesecake!
This ceramic piece is glazed with luster, which is a liquid glaze containing real gold particles.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
Clay, luster, moss
3x3x3”
2023, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chciago, IL, United States.
BFA Show, SITE Galleries, April 5-12, 2025, School of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
This miniature ceramic sculpture captures a beautiful and romantic moment of solitude for a Southern Saudi girl. She is picnicking with her cat in a beautiful garden, surrounded by her Saudi coffee pot and a cheesecake.
She is wearing the traditional embroidered 'Thoub Mukallaf' dress, which is specific to the Al-Zahrani tribe from Southern Saudi Arabia, along with the traditional gold Sumadah head-jewelry from the same tribe.
What is most amazing about this sculpture is that despite its tiny size, all the pieces are movable and not just a single piece of clay. Even the strawberry on top of the cheesecake!
This ceramic piece is glazed with luster, which is a liquid glaze containing real gold particles.
This artwork was exhibited at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago's BFA undergraduate exhibition on April 5, 2025, at the SITE galleries, 33 E Washington St., Chicago, IL, United States.
