Saudi artist Fatimah Al-Nemer has dedicated her artistic journey to exploring and portraying women’s narratives through her multimedia creations. Combining collage, photography, and tapestry, Al-Nemer’s work stems from a life deeply influenced by the presence of women, from her family to figures in myth and folklore.
Hailing from Al-Qatif in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, one of the oldest regions in the Kingdom, Al-Nemer resides on Tarout Island, a place steeped in history and thought to have ties to the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar. “It’s an area that existed 600 years before Jesus,” she notes, and its rich cultural past profoundly impacted her artistic upbringing.
Al-Nemer’s early passion for art was nurtured by her mother, who provided unwavering encouragement and materials to foster her talent. “She always called me the artist of the family,” Al-Nemer recalls. Art became her primary form of self-expression during childhood, helping her navigate social anxiety and fear through drawing and painting.
By the age of 18, Al-Nemer had transitioned from art student to instructor, participating in exhibitions and working as a jewelry designer. Seeking to broaden her horizons, she moved to Jordan in 2009 to study interior design at Philadelphia University in Amman, immersing herself in a culturally vibrant and artistic community.
Al-Nemer’s early works explored oil painting, charcoal, and self-portraits, often sparking debates within her family and broader society. Over time, she shifted her focus to depict the stories of other Saudi women, blending traditional symbolism, cultural motifs, and richly detailed, tapestry-like imagery. Her art celebrates the roles of women in society, portraying them as “the butterfly, the mother, the sister, the doctor, the giver” while reflecting their depth and strength.
Her artworks often feature women with veiled eyes or mouths, a nod to creative challenges she faced in earlier years and a means to draw viewers’ attention to the surrounding cultural details. As Saudi Arabia embraces cultural openness, Al-Nemer feels a newfound freedom in her practice, highlighting the evolving role of art in society.
