Abdullah Tamami
الرياض - السعودية Riyadh Saudi Arabia
00966554774436
Abdullah Al-Tamami is a prominent Saudi visual artist, considered one of the contemporary artistic voices that connects Saudi heritage with philosophical reflections on human life. His style is characterized by its reliance on realistic stories and narratives linking the past to the present, using symbols such as houses and windows to express the "noise" of daily life and inner feelings. Throughout his long career, spanning more than 30 years, he has never held a solo exhibition, preferring to focus on producing deeply meaningful artworks rather than commercial marketing. He has sold only about 150 paintings, the most expensive of which fetched 27,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately US$7,200). Personal Background and Education: Abdullah Al-Tamami was born in Saudi Arabia and raised in a conservative society where social interactions between the sexes were limited before his marriage. He is married and has a daughter. He describes his marriage experience as having changed his perspective on women, considering them "different beings" consumed by love like a burning ember. Detailed information about his formal education is unavailable, but he demonstrates a strong personal influence, drawing inspiration from historical geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci, particularly in his painting "The Mona Lisa," which he sees as a symbol of femininity and realism. He describes himself as a "fisherman" in the art world, deeply exploring people's emotions like a storyteller. He suffers from creative insomnia, unable to sleep if a story is "awake" in his mind. He criticizes the Saudi art scene for supporting "the untalented" without clear criteria. He aspires to build galleries and museums to promote visual arts, focusing on marketing without financially exploiting artists. Artistic Career and Major Achievements: Al-Tamami began his artistic career more than three decades ago, focusing on oil paintings and contemporary works that combine color and movement, rejecting "silence" in art. He has sold approximately 150 artworks, with many remaining in his personal possession, reflecting his preference for creativity over commercialism. In 2020, he released his latest collection, "The Noise of Dwellings," comprising 12 paintings and marking a turning point in his career. It charted his artistic future with philosophical insights into the evolution of human life. His daughter deemed the collection "unsaleable," while his friend Adnan Al-Ahmad encouraged him to publish it, making him "captive" to his ideas. Among his most notable achievements: • The painting "Woman in Love Turns into a Burning Ember" sold ten years ago for 6,000 Saudi Riyals (US$1,600). It expresses the fire of feminine emotions. • He is preparing new works with titles such as "Camel Racing," "Horse Racing," "The Noise of Nature," and an expansion of "The Noise of Dwellings." • He inspires art lovers through his interaction with the public, as his works spark profound discussions about human concerns and Saudi heritage. Artistic Style and Influences Al-Tamami's style is characterized by hand-drawn texts that are read at a glance, with a focus on windows as a means of telling "truthier" stories than doors. He favors vibrant colors and dynamic movement, drawing inspiration from Saudi folk dance in his portrayal of women, particularly in their social settings. He sees the call to prayer (Adhan) as a spiritual timekeeping device that provides "vibrations" to the ear and harmony to the heart, using it as a symbolic element in his work. His main influences include: • Leonardo da Vinci: for his role in making the Mona Lisa the first realistic painting to symbolize femininity. • Historical stories: such as Qays and Layla, to depict male love and its impact on emotions. • Saudi heritage: folk dances, the tranquility of Mecca's houses amidst the city's noise, and the Kaaba as a symbol of the world's unity. His most prominent works include: • The Adhan: his most impactful work, depicting houses swaying with sacred sentiments, expressing the influence of sound on life as evidence of the purpose of creation. • Sunken Dwellings: their interpretation varies depending on the era, with inhabitants immersed in their daily activities, symbolizing tranquility amidst the noise. • Women's Dance: depicting groups of women performing folk dances, with distinctive movements reflecting Saudi culture. • The Philosophy of the Kaaba Paintings: The Kaaba, as the oldest house in the world, embodies a spectrum of perspectives that express concerns, albeit from different angles. • Burdens of the Mind: Backbreaking Burdens: A man and woman carrying belongings in the desert, symbolizing pain and sincere love, with separation as a destiny. Abdullah Al-Tamami is a unique voice in Saudi visual art, combining realism and philosophy to tell profound human stories, maintaining his artistic distinctiveness despite the challenges.
Abdullah Al-Tamami is a prominent Saudi visual artist, considered one of the contemporary artistic voices that connects Saudi heritage with philosophical reflections on human life. His style is characterized by its reliance on realistic stories and narratives linking the past to the present, using symbols such as houses and windows to express the "noise" of daily life and inner feelings. Throughout his long career, spanning more than 30 years, he has never held a solo exhibition, preferring to focus on producing deeply meaningful artworks rather than commercial marketing. He has sold only about 150 paintings, the most expensive of which fetched 27,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately US$7,200). Personal Background and Education: Abdullah Al-Tamami was born in Saudi Arabia and raised in a conservative society where social interactions between the sexes were limited before his marriage. He is married and has a daughter. He describes his marriage experience as having changed his perspective on women, considering them "different beings" consumed by love like a burning ember. Detailed information about his formal education is unavailable, but he demonstrates a strong personal influence, drawing inspiration from historical geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci, particularly in his painting "The Mona Lisa," which he sees as a symbol of femininity and realism. He describes himself as a "fisherman" in the art world, deeply exploring people's emotions like a storyteller. He suffers from creative insomnia, unable to sleep if a story is "awake" in his mind. He criticizes the Saudi art scene for supporting "the untalented" without clear criteria. He aspires to build galleries and museums to promote visual arts, focusing on marketing without financially exploiting artists. Artistic Career and Major Achievements: Al-Tamami began his artistic career more than three decades ago, focusing on oil paintings and contemporary works that combine color and movement, rejecting "silence" in art. He has sold approximately 150 artworks, with many remaining in his personal possession, reflecting his preference for creativity over commercialism. In 2020, he released his latest collection, "The Noise of Dwellings," comprising 12 paintings and marking a turning point in his career. It charted his artistic future with philosophical insights into the evolution of human life. His daughter deemed the collection "unsaleable," while his friend Adnan Al-Ahmad encouraged him to publish it, making him "captive" to his ideas. Among his most notable achievements: • The painting "Woman in Love Turns into a Burning Ember" sold ten years ago for 6,000 Saudi Riyals (US$1,600). It expresses the fire of feminine emotions. • He is preparing new works with titles such as "Camel Racing," "Horse Racing," "The Noise of Nature," and an expansion of "The Noise of Dwellings." • He inspires art lovers through his interaction with the public, as his works spark profound discussions about human concerns and Saudi heritage. Artistic Style and Influences Al-Tamami's style is characterized by hand-drawn texts that are read at a glance, with a focus on windows as a means of telling "truthier" stories than doors. He favors vibrant colors and dynamic movement, drawing inspiration from Saudi folk dance in his portrayal of women, particularly in their social settings. He sees the call to prayer (Adhan) as a spiritual timekeeping device that provides "vibrations" to the ear and harmony to the heart, using it as a symbolic element in his work. His main influences include: • Leonardo da Vinci: for his role in making the Mona Lisa the first realistic painting to symbolize femininity. • Historical stories: such as Qays and Layla, to depict male love and its impact on emotions. • Saudi heritage: folk dances, the tranquility of Mecca's houses amidst the city's noise, and the Kaaba as a symbol of the world's unity. His most prominent works include: • The Adhan: his most impactful work, depicting houses swaying with sacred sentiments, expressing the influence of sound on life as evidence of the purpose of creation. • Sunken Dwellings: their interpretation varies depending on the era, with inhabitants immersed in their daily activities, symbolizing tranquility amidst the noise. • Women's Dance: depicting groups of women performing folk dances, with distinctive movements reflecting Saudi culture. • The Philosophy of the Kaaba Paintings: The Kaaba, as the oldest house in the world, embodies a spectrum of perspectives that express concerns, albeit from different angles. • Burdens of the Mind: Backbreaking Burdens: A man and woman carrying belongings in the desert, symbolizing pain and sincere love, with separation as a destiny. Abdullah Al-Tamami is a unique voice in Saudi visual art, combining realism and philosophy to tell profound human stories, maintaining his artistic distinctiveness despite the challenges.
