SAUDI ARABIA: Graffiti art gains in popularity in the Saudi city of Jeddah with some artists even finding commissions for their graffiti from local businesses

Record ID: 189119

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Graffiti art gains in popularity in the Saudi city of Jeddah with some artists even finding commissions for their graffiti from local businesses
  • Date: 12th February 2013
  • Summary: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (RECENT) (REUTERS ) VARIOUS OF WOMAN'S FACE GRAFFITIED ON WALL GRAFFITIED WALL VARIOUS OF GRAFFITI ARTIST PAINTING IN ARABIC ''SYRIA IS IN OUR HEART'' TWO ARTISTS SPRAYING WALL GRAFFITI ON WALL GRAFFITI ON WALL READING IN ARABIC: ''SYRIA IS IN OUR HEART'' ABDULLAH ZUHAIR, JEDDAH RESIDENT, LOOKING AT WALL ART (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDULLAH ZUHAIR, JEDDAH RESIDENT, SAYING: "I hope that officials and businessmen can appreciate the youth's capabilities and put them to good use by securing them the spaces needed for their skill so that their talents don't fade away." DOORS OF GRAFFITI SUPPLY STORE OPENING FOR BUSINESS GRAFFITI ON WALL INSIDE STORE VARIOUS OF SPRAY PAINT CANS ON DISPLAY CUSTOMER BUYING MERCHANDISE CLOSE OF TILL SCREEN CLOSE OF CUSTOMER'S HANDS HANDLING MONEY CUSTOMER PAYING FOR MERCHANDISE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HASSAN SHKOKANI, GRAFFITI ARTIST, SAYING: "It's a great thing that there is a graffiti shop in Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah, and to be run by specialists in the art of graffiti who have more of a knowledge than others. It's wonderful that I, as an artist, can come and find my missing supplies, they are specific to graffiti, nothing other than that." VARIOUS OF GRAFFITI ARTISTS PREPARING PAINTS DURING WORKSHOP CLOSE OF ARTIST'S HAND WRITING/DRAWING MORE OF ARTIST WRITING/DRAWING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIYA`A RAMBOO, GRAFFITI ARTIST AND PARTNER IN GRAFFITI SUPPLIES STORE, SAYING: "Most young people began to become interested in this; what is it graffiti? What implements are used for it? From the ages of 18 and up - most of them asked what are the implements used (for graffiti) and the implements are available and the prices are accessible to most but some obstacles still exist." GRAFFITI ON STORE WALL GRAFFITIED BAGS AND SHIRTS HANGING IN STORE VARIOUS OF ARTISTS SPRAYING A LAUNDRY COMPANY VAN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ABDELAZIZ HASSAN, GRAFFITI ARTIST, SAYING: "When we first started practising graffiti there was a lack of acceptance from society and the community because they did not have a background (knowledge) of the art so even when we do draw on public property, making it more beautiful , they ruin it - the culture (of graffiti) hasn't reached everyone yet." VARIOUS OF GRAFFITI ON NEIGHBOURHOOD WALLS
  • Embargoed: 27th February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: People,Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVAAMOC2CTM6FKJNIJAYG0MPOH6R
  • Story Text: Artistic graffiti is becoming more visible in some Jeddah neighbourhoods as the artform's popularity spreads amongst the youth of Saudi Arabia. The trend of spray painting images or written words in public spaces, on walls and buildings, has been seen in many communities and societies around the world as a negative one that scars not beautifies an area.
    But, as the graffiti trend has grown and developed, from a basic way of making a mark in a given space, into more artistic and intricate work, many now see graffiti as a legitimate form of art.
    In some parts of Jeddah colour can be seen in bursts; a woman's face in different shades of blue, a political and heartfelt message: 'Syria is in our heart' is graffitied across a a plain while wall.
    For Jeddah resident Abdullah Zuhair, the growing presence of graffiti in his city is something he hopes to see preserved and encouraged, "I hope that officials and businessmen can appreciate the youth's capabilities and put them to good use by securing them the spaces needed for their skill so that their talents don't fade away," said Zuhair.
    In a growing market, the Dhad store in Jeddah has found it's niche.
    The shop's owners say they're the first in the city to specialise in spray paints and graffiti equipment, Dhad has a growing clientele.
    "It's a great thing that there is a graffiti shop in Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah, and to be run by specialists in the art of graffiti who have more of a knowledge than others," said graffiti artist Hassan Shkokani.
    "It's wonderful that I, as an artist, can come and find my missing supplies, they are specific to graffiti, nothing other than that," he continued.
    According to Diya'a Ramboo, a university student and partner in Dhad store, interest in the art of graffiti has been shown from people aged 18 years and over.
    "From the ages of 18 and up, most of them asked what are the implements used (for graffiti) and the implements are available and the prices are accessible to most but some obstacles still exist," he said.
    Ramboo divides his time between his studies and working in his shop.
    Though this store is now providing artists with all the necessities for graffiti, the art itself is yet to be fully embraced by the city and it's different communities.
    "When we first started practising graffiti there was a lack of acceptance from society and the community because they did not have a background (knowledge) of the art so even when we do draw on public property, making it more beautiful , they ruin it - the culture (of graffiti) hasn't reached everyone yet," said graffiti artist Abdelaziz Hassan.
    The artists' work isn't only restricted to buildings and walls around the city. Some private companies are embracing the trend, with some commissioning the young artists to tag their delivery vans.
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