Saudi artist Heba Ismail: ‘I see so much beauty in Arab culture in general’ 

Saudi artist Heba Ismail: ‘I see so much beauty in Arab culture in general’ 
The scream for AlUla take 2. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 September 2024
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Saudi artist Heba Ismail: ‘I see so much beauty in Arab culture in general’ 

Saudi artist Heba Ismail: ‘I see so much beauty in Arab culture in general’ 
  • The Saudi artist discusses ‘Hebaism,’ the term she has coined for her Picasso-influenced practice 

DUBAI: Saudi artist Heba Ismail doesn’t lack ambition. “I want to be the second Picasso — the female Picasso,” she tells Arab News.  

Born and raised in Jeddah in the Nineties, Ismail, who is also a qualified dentist, grew up in a household that valued art. Her father had lived in both Egypt and England and happily passed on his knowledge of art and history to his two children.  

In their home, there was a copy of the famed Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s 1937, black-and-white masterpiece “Guernica” — based on the devastating bombings of the Basque town during the Spanish Civil War. It left a strong impression on the young Ismail.  




Heba Ismail, 'Alyah.' (Supplied)

“‘Guernica’ is so scary for a child,” she says. “We had a huge replica of it in our living room, taking over nearly half of the wall. I used to stare at it — and you can see and feel the fear in it. But, in a way, I also used to see beauty in it.” 

Picasso’s radical cubist art has been a major influence on Ismail’s own practice, which she refers to as “Hebaism.” And despite the increasingly negative reports, and opinions, of the late Spanish artist as a person, Ismail is still inspired by his painting. 

“I feel that all of us are full of flaws,” she says. “If you’re going to dig deep into any role model in history, you’re going to find a lot of bad stuff about them; I know Picasso was controversial (because of) how he treated women. 




'Floral man.' (Supplied)

“I love being a pioneer — being the first one to do something. I love that Picasso made his cubism art movement. It was so out-of-the-box and that’s what I admire about him,” she continues. “He was creating something out of nothing. When realist artists made art, they drew something as they saw it — it already existed. Picasso drew something out of nothing. It was a form of creation.”   

Ismail works mostly with painting, producing maximalist, thick-lined, angular portraits of people often dressed in traditional Saudi (and Arab) clothing or featuring local props and motifs, such as scarves and coffee cups.  

“I am very proud of my Saudi heritage,” she says. “I see so much beauty in Arab culture in general. I want my work to speak to all Arabs, not just Saudis.” 

On closer inspection, many of Ismail’s works can be read as psychological studies too, exuding tension and confusion.  




'Shamikh.' (Supplied)

“When I’m painting, I try to create characters out of nothing. I want something that is not from reality, something from another realm. That’s why I respect Picasso’s art. He’s not painting something he is seeing; he’s painting something he is feeling,” she explains. “Art pieces shouldn’t tell you how to think, they should tell you how to feel. When people perceive my art, I want it to help them process their feelings. It’s kind of therapeutic in a way.  

“I consider my art as my personal diary,” she continues. “Some of my paintings are close to my heart, telling a personal story of a traumatic experience or a feeling — either joy or sadness — that I had. A person’s life is not going to be all rainbows and butterflies.”  

Ismail divides her time between art and medicine, two opposite fields that fascinate her. “I lose track of time and I’m always happy painting. Unlike dentistry, I don’t consider it work,” she says. “I always had a knack for art. I loved to draw in school books and I used to do graffiti in school. I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was a baby, but I had to have another career. 




'Autumn leaves.' (Supplied)

“I loved medicine as well. There’s a weird connection between art and medicine: Leonardo da Vinci used to do anatomical drawings. I chose dentistry because it’s a skill that I can do with my hands. I love working with my hands. I felt there was something artistic about dentistry, which requires delicate and artistic hands. When I was studying dentistry, I put art to the side, but even my notebooks were full of sketches.”  

As a youngster, Ismail attended art classes at Darat Safeya Binzagr, a multi-purpose and influential cultural center in Jeddah founded by Saudi artist Safeya Binzagr, who died this month. “May she rest in peace,” says Ismail. “She truly was the only one who was thinking about nurturing artistic talent for Saudis.”  




Heba Ismail. (Supplied)

Ismail’s work will next be publicly shown in a group show, “Modernity Roots,” which runs at the Bilory ArtHaus in Jeddah from Sept. 29 to Nov. 15. She is making a name for herself in the Kingdom with her works (which she describes as “not for everyone, not everyone will understand them”), which have been purchased by Saudi clients and attracted the attention of brands keen to work with her, including major fashion retailer Shein and luxury manufacturing company Kohler. But her ambitions stretch far beyond the boundaries of her homeland. 

“Honestly, I want to put my art on the map, worldwide. I want my paintings to be in the auction houses Christie’s, Philips and Sotheby’s,” she says. “I don’t consider it a dream, but a goal. I want to make history as a Saudi woman.”  


Madinah exhibition showcases local heritage, crafts 

Madinah exhibition showcases local heritage, crafts 
Updated 15 July 2025
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Madinah exhibition showcases local heritage, crafts 

Madinah exhibition showcases local heritage, crafts 
  • Three-day event, which ended on Tuesday, is among several Year of Handicrafts initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture
  • Elements of heritage were embodied in palm-based crafts including baskets, incense burners, and decorative pieces

RIYADH: The “Arts Telling Stories” exhibition in Madinah showcased the nation’s culture and history through authentic handicrafts.

The three-day event, which ended on Tuesday, is among several “Year of Handicrafts” initiatives launched by the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exhibition featured a diverse collection of handcrafted creations reflecting the identity of the local community. 

Elements of heritage were embodied in palm-based crafts including baskets, incense burners, and decorative pieces, illustrating the historical bond between people and the environment.

The event also showcased wooden artworks, including decorated boxes, vases, and household items crafted with techniques blending traditional sensibility and modern innovation.

It featured pottery pieces inspired by folk art, drawing from the colors and landscapes of the region’s geography, the SPA reported.

The exhibition reflects the ministry’s efforts to promote traditional arts, foster community awareness, and encourage young people to connect with their cultural roots.


Jessica Kahawaty’s cookbook receives celebrity nod of approval

Jessica Kahawaty’s cookbook receives celebrity nod of approval
Updated 15 July 2025
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Jessica Kahawaty’s cookbook receives celebrity nod of approval

Jessica Kahawaty’s cookbook receives celebrity nod of approval

DUBAI: Lebanese Australian duo, model Jessica Kahawaty and mother Rita, have launched their own cookbook — with no less a person than Hollywood actress and producer Courteney Cox providing a cover quote.

Kahawaty and her mother are the minds behind UAE-based food delivery business Mama Rita and the book, “Mama Rita: Family recipes from the Mediterranean,” is now available for pre-order ahead of its release in September.

It is endorsed by Cox, who says it is “a must-have for anyone who is passionate about cooking and loves food as much as I do.”

Writing on Instagram on Monday, Kahawaty said: “The moment we held the Mama Rita cookbook in our hands for the very first time … after two years of pouring our hearts into it. And we’re beyond thrilled to share a special surprise on the cover — a quote from the one and only (Courteney Cox). Her iconic role as Monica in ‘Friends’ — the talented chef, perfectionist, and loving control freak — mirrors so much of the dynamic between mum and me. And her true persona is even more beautiful, warm, and generous.

“Years of love, passion, late nights and so many memories. It’s all finally coming to life just as Mama Rita turns five this September,” she added.

Kahawaty is on an entrepreneurial roll, having launched jewelry brand Kahawaty Jewels alongside her father, master jeweler Ghassan Kahawaty, in May. Based in Dubai, it continues the family’s long-standing tradition of jewelry craftsmanship.

“I grew up watching my father in his jewelry trade. I saw how happy he made people when he created these beautiful pieces,” Kahawaty told Arab News. “I’ve always wanted to continue my father’s legacy and my grandfather’s trade. I felt like this is the perfect time to launch Kahawaty Jewels in Dubai, which is a city I’ve been in for over 13 years.”

For Jessica, building the brand with her father has been a meaningful journey.

“He’s the only man I trust when it comes to diamonds and jewelry. He has an impeccable eye for detail and quality. He has the most incredible craftsmanship. I learned so much from him and launching this with my father feels like a true partnership,” she said.


Haql Summer Festival boosts tourism, economy

Haql Summer Festival boosts tourism, economy
Updated 14 July 2025
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Haql Summer Festival boosts tourism, economy

Haql Summer Festival boosts tourism, economy
  • Festival offers a wide range of attractions, including an amusement park with electric and inflatable rides
  • Visitors can also enjoy restaurants, shopping, and essential services, ensuring a well-rounded experience

JEDDAH: With schools on summer holiday, children and parents are embracing a season of relaxation, exploration, and entertainment.

From coastal getaways to mountain retreats, families across Saudi Arabia are making the most of summer with fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories.

The Haql Summer Festival, being held at Prince Fahd bin Sultan Park, runs until mid-September. It offers a wide range of attractions, including an amusement park with electric and inflatable rides, a family seating area, and an open-air theater featuring traditional performances, competitions, and daily prizes.

Visitors can also enjoy restaurants, shopping, and essential services, ensuring a well-rounded experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The festival aims to boost tourism in Haql, stimulate the local economy, increase commercial activity, and create job opportunities, positioning the region as a unique and attractive destination.

Haql, located in northwest Saudi Arabia in the Tabuk region and overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba, boasts clear views of several neighboring countries’ coastlines.

The festival is part of the Saudi Summer program, which runs until September and showcases the Kingdom’s diverse tourism offerings — from mountains and beaches to international events and exclusive deals, catering to all travelers.


Miniature model helps bring Saudi history to life

Miniature model helps bring Saudi history to life
Updated 14 July 2025
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Miniature model helps bring Saudi history to life

Miniature model helps bring Saudi history to life
  • Featuring miniature representations of Saudi cities from the past, these creations transport visitors through time
  • Artist and craft trainer Abdullah Al-Khazam, a native of Hail, presented a clay model of the ancient commercial area of Hail city at the event

RIYADH: The Beit Hail Festival, which runs until July 29, is showcasing unique works which reflect the region’s rich historic archaeological legacy, the Saudi Press Agency has reported.

Featuring miniature representations of Saudi cities from the past, these creations transport visitors through time, highlighting the details of daily life and the beauty of historic architecture.

Artist and craft trainer Abdullah Al-Khazam, a native of Hail, has presented a clay model of the ancient commercial area of Hail city at the event.

The model has attracted the attention of thousands of visitors and illustrates the techniques used to craft such works, enriching the festival’s depiction of the Kingdom’s heritage.

Al-Khazam based the model on historic sources, using precise measurements and conducting field visits. He also consulted historians, researchers, and elderly residents for accuracy.

The model features key landmarks, including Barzan Palace, a mosque, the commercial square, and various government offices, the SPA added.

Built with traditional materials such as clay and palm trunks, the model uses classic construction techniques and incorporates period ornaments and engravings, effectively recreating the city center of the past.


The UK’s longest-running Arab arts festival returns 

The UK’s longest-running Arab arts festival returns 
Updated 14 July 2025
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The UK’s longest-running Arab arts festival returns 

The UK’s longest-running Arab arts festival returns 

DHAHRAN: The Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, or LAAF, the UK’s longest-running annual celebration of Arab arts and culture, returns this month with a theme that feels both timely and timeless: “Nostalgia.”

Now two decades in, the festival has grown from grassroots beginnings into an internationally recognized celebration.

Running through to July 20, this year’s program explores how memory, heritage and longing shape artistic expression across the Arab world and its diasporas. 

The dynamic, bilingual line-up spans film, music, literature, performance, food and family activities — all underscored by deeper reflections on identity, loss and cultural continuity.

Arab News spoke with Taher Qassim, originally from Yemen, who founded LAAF in 1998 as a community-led effort to foster cultural pride and preserve Arab identity in Liverpool.

“The theme of ‘nostalgia’ is a reflection of both how far we’ve come and where we began,” Qassim said. “Twenty-three years ago, we set out on a path that was uncertain but filled with excitement and purpose. We knew we wanted to create something that represented the Yemeni and Arab presence in Liverpool, but we didn’t yet know how to express it.”

What began as a handful of cultural activations has since evolved into a platform for Arab artists. “From those humble beginnings … the festival began to blossom,” he said. “Today, we proudly offer a platform to artists from across the Arab world, Europe, the US, and beyond — something we could only have dreamed of.”

Two events stand out for him: ‘Arabs Are Not Funny’ and ‘The Book of Sanaa.’ The former, he says, “directly challenges the long-held stereotype that Arabs lack a sense of humor. It’s refreshing, bold and liberating — exactly what the festival stands for.”

The latter brings together literature, poetry, food, and a model of Yemen’s historic capital.

“The richness of this event would’ve felt like a fantasy to us two decades ago. Now, it’s a reality — something we’ve made possible through years of dedication and community.”

Qassim, who was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2008 for services to community cohesion, handed over the festival’s leadership to his daughter, Afrah, who now steers LAAF with the same vision and care.

Today, LAAF is no longer seen solely as a festival for the Arab community. “That perception has shifted dramatically,” Qassim said. “People from all backgrounds and ages attend and engage. The festival has become a space for dialogue, curiosity and connection.” As he put it, “Conversations happen naturally — before, during and after events.”

One event he hopes visitors will not miss is the now-iconic “Family Day” at the Palm House in Sefton Park. “It’s become the signature event of the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival — our legacy day,” he said. “Families travel from across the UK, Europe, and even further afield to be part of it. The atmosphere is joyful, welcoming, and truly inclusive … a vibrant, heartwarming celebration of Arab culture at its best.”

Some events require tickets, but “Family Day” — an afternoon of music, crafts, performances and community — is the grand finale and free to all.