Saudi Arabian art

Saudi Arabian art should be understood in the light of the country being the birthplace of Islam and to include both the arts of Bedouin nomads and those of the sedentary peoples of regions such as the Hejaz, Tihamah, Asir and the Najd.

Architecture

The first mosque of Islam was the house of the Islamic prophet Mohammed in Medina. It is the prototype of all later sacred architecture of Islam. In it are most important the floor and carpet that are touched in prayer with the head.^[1]

Visual arts

Tribal symbols referred to as "wusum" were carved by Bedouins during prehistoric times and are found as rock art in the hills and deserts of Arabia.

Art Movement

The Art Movement in Saudi Arabia started in the mid 60's by a group of School Art Teachers and lasted till mid 80's.

In 1972 Mohammed Said Farsi became the mayor of the coastal city of Jeddah, making the city one of the largest open-air art galleries in the world.

See also

• Contemporary Saudi Arabian female artists

Bibliography

• Majeed Khan: Wusum, the tribal symbols of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ministry of Education, 2000.
• Anthony Ham a.o.: Saudi Arabia, Lonely Planet, 2004.
• Dr. Muhammed Kamal Ismail a.o.: The archiceture of the Holy Mosque, Makkah, London, 1998.
• Robert Hillenbrand: Islamic Art and Architecture, Thames & Hudson, London, 2004 (1999).
• Marcel Kurpershoek: De laatste bedoeïen, Amsterdam, 1995.

References

1. Seyyed Hossein Nasr: Islamic Art and Spirituality, Albany, 1987, p. 38-40.