Saudi artist explores Jeddah myths in new exhibition
Exhibition blends painting, textiles, and research to reimagine cultural memory, femininity, and the blurred line between history and legend in historic Jeddah
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — Saudi artist Sarah Alabdali is presenting her third solo exhibition, The Legends of Motherland, at Al-Falah School in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, offering a layered artistic exploration of myth, identity, and the city’s deep cultural narratives.
Running until May 24, the exhibition features a mix of gouache paintings, charcoal drawings, prints, and collaborative works that reflect Alabdali’s practice as both an artist and researcher, focusing on identity formation, material culture, and inherited storytelling traditions.
At the center of the exhibition is Jeddah itself, reimagined as a “cradle of myths” and closely linked to narratives surrounding the resting place of Eve.
Through abstract visual language, Alabdali investigates how myth and history overlap and influence collective memory.
The showcased works also include collaborations with khayamiya tent makers from Cairo and embroidered silk pieces created under her brand Tabaa’, connecting traditional textile craftsmanship with contemporary artistic interpretation and cultural memory.
Talking to Arab News, Alabdali said the choice of venue was intentional, highlighting Al-Falah School’s historical significance as a site that shaped generations of intellectual life in Jeddah, as well as its symbolic proximity to the Tomb of Eve, which plays a conceptual role in the exhibition.
She described her creative approach as one that does not separate myth from reality but allows both to coexist through symbolism, layered imagery, and contrasting materials and textures.
Curator Qaswra Hafez noted that the exhibition marks an important moment for contemporary art in Jeddah, situating Alabdali’s work within a heritage-rich environment where historical architecture and modern artistic dialogue intersect.
Beyond visual art, Alabdali has expanded into writing, publishing her first novel in 2025, and continues to develop her brand Tabaa’, which engages with textile art and community-based creative gatherings in Al-Balad.
Alabdali said she hopes visitors leave with a stronger sense of connection and belonging shaped by the stories embedded in the city’s history and imagination.
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