Saudi : Riyadh-born, New York-based contemporary artist Sultan bin Fahad has been creating art since his childhood, though he only recognized it as such later on.
“I always felt like I had a certain creativity in me,” he shares with Arab News. “I was making what I called ‘things.’ But it was a hobby, you know? I thought it was like interior design—decorating my room. I didn’t know it could be considered art.”
Initially focused on a naval career and taekwondo, bin Fahad harbored dreams of competing in the 1992 Olympics. However, injuries thwarted these ambitions, leading him to reconsider his future.
He ended up studying business in San Francisco, near an art academy, where his exposure to modern and contemporary art began.
“I’d pass by and see their work; that was the first time I was exposed to modern and contemporary art. And I realized, ‘Oh. So whatever I’ve been doing is probably considered some sort of art.’” He laughs. “That’s how I became aware of my ability to create artworks.”
Bin Fahad is renowned for his elaborate, colorful beaded artworks, often crafted by Hausa artisans from Nigeria.
“They have an interesting story,” he says. “They are Muslims, they study the Qur’an. But they kept the language of their tribe. They know all about Saudi. You can actually find descendants of the same tribe in Jeddah and Makkah. Back in the day, they travelled or went for Hajj and they never left. They stayed there for three or four generations.”
For bin Fahad, the essence of his art lies in storytelling.
“I always say my medium is storytelling. I hate it when you show someone something and they say, ‘OK, what am I looking at?’ That means you definitely failed to show any emotion in your work. Like, I still make abstract paintings, and there is basically nothing to say about them. But people forget that there is an emotion when you look at something: you might feel happy, you might feel sad, you might be attracted to the colors. But if you look at any piece and you don’t get any idea in the first 10 seconds, then I failed.”
Here’s a look at some of bin Fahad’s key works:
‘Delights III’
This series emerged during the COVID lockdowns. Bin Fahad, inspired by found objects like small gift boxes, created beaded works displayed at an online art fair. A subsequent collaboration with a carpet maker led to a carpet design representing Saudi Arabia. “It’s this whole concept of hopeful, beautiful work that you can see every day and can give you good energy,” he explains.
‘Desert Kite’
Designed for Desert X AlUla, this piece features walls that isolate the viewer from the surroundings, allowing them to listen to the silence. Bin Fahad’s fascination with desert kites, ancient structures possibly used for trapping animals, inspired this work. “I wanted to create something telling that story,” he says.
‘Window’
As part of “The Red Palace” project, this installation is dear to bin Fahad. It celebrates Riyadh’s architectural heritage and integrates reclaimed windows from various regions of Saudi Arabia. “It unifies all the regions into one,” he notes.
‘Trust’
For “The Red Palace,” bin Fahad collaborated with Hausa artisans from Nigeria to create beaded chairs. The trust established through this collaboration inspired the piece’s name. “I needed to see if they could do it the way I wanted it to be,” he says.
‘Masallaci’
This work involved decorating a prayer space in Nigeria’s Abuja, showing bin Fahad’s commitment to community support. “Everything inside the mosque is beaded, except the floor. Even the furniture,” he shares.
‘Laser’
Part of the “GWPOW” project, this piece reflects on the impact of war on children. Bin Fahad uses mixed media to depict the contrast between childhood innocence and the harsh realities of conflict.
‘Possession’
Inspired by a visit to the Prophet’s Mosque, bin Fahad’s piece captures the profound spiritual experience he observed. “It felt so passionate. I felt like, if it gives them satisfaction, let them do it,” he reflects.
‘Once Was A Ruler’
This work, created during bin Fahad’s time at the National Museum, challenges misconceptions about ancient sculptures. “I made it look like an X-ray, and I put human bones on it to show that they are human,” he explains.
‘R III’
Inspired by the Pyramids of Giza, this piece explores the connection between Ancient Egypt and Saudi Arabia. “I wanted to show this bridge between Ancient Egypt and Saudi Arabia,” bin Fahad says.
