Startup of the Week: Investing in art and culture in times of crisis

Photo/Supplied
Short Url
Updated 22 December 2020
Follow

Startup of the Week: Investing in art and culture in times of crisis

  • Saggaf currently sells her products on Instagram and delivers them to all regions of Saudi Arabia

The coronavirus pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for businesses around the world, but it has also accelerated the growth of ecommerce as people increasingly rely on online services.
Saudi interior designer Abrar Saggaf (@Abrarsaggaf) launched her brand Shaqmata in July at the peak of the outbreak in the Kingdom.
But, rather than get bogged down by the economic conditions thrown up by the pandemic, Saggaf decided to challenge herself with something new.
“I asked myself a question: Why would one limit themselves to one specialty, career, and source of income when they can invest in their talents and explore many potential opportunities?” she told Arab News. “I opened my drawer and found that I had many drawings which I collected over the years, and they resembled our local culture and I decided to convert my art style into products.”
Shaqmata (@shaqmata), which means scribbles in Arabic, turns Saggaf’s art into everyday products.
For years she had been encouraged by friends on social media to make decorative items like rugs and pillows out of her drawings that were the product of her stress-relief strategy — doodling.
Saggaf began with bags and has launched three designs since July. The designs are based on three different characters she created to resemble a certain culture.
She is also working on launching a new product — a modern abaya or light jacket — within a month.
What sets Shaqmata apart from other brands are its reasonable price point, as well as its quality and sophisticated design.
“Each character of our products has a name, a birth date, and a story. The more you give depth to your product the more people can connect with it,” she added. “At the beginning people used to order the products by design, now they know the designs by their names.”
Shaqmata targets a wide audience. Anyone interested in something unique and special that has a story — but is also practical — is a potential customer for Saggaf.
“Also, those interested in creative local brands and culture and art enthusiasts.”
Her 10 years of interior design experience, together with her passion for art, helped to grow her business in a few months.
“Although this is a completely new experience for me, my long experience in interior design helped me understand how to satisfy the needs of the targeted audience.”
She encouraged young people to seize opportunities and dare to take the first step toward their dream projects. “If people try to explore themselves, everyone will be able to find a hidden talent inside that’s worthy of their attention and investment.”
Saggaf currently sells her products on Instagram and delivers them to all regions of Saudi Arabia. But they will soon be available at two concept stores in Jeddah and will become available in Riyadh and Alkhobar as well.
She also wanted to offer her products to a wider audience worldwide, with her brand functioning as a platform for creative artists with similar interests to contribute to it.
“My goals are limitless. I want to take this project to grow as big as possible, reaching customers all over the world.”


Social Development Bank supports local creatives through art initiative

A man visits an outdoor art show in the old town in the historical Saudi city of Al-Ula. (FILE/AFP)
Updated 28 July 2025
Follow

Social Development Bank supports local creatives through art initiative

  • This program not only enriches the nation’s cultural landscape but also strengthens the creative economy by integrating original artworks into seven major bank branches across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Saudi Arabia’s Social Development Bank has launched the Art Bank 7 event as part of the second phase of the Art Bank initiative, which invites a wide range of Saudi visual artists and independent creators to showcase their work and compete for acquisition contracts.

This program not only enriches the nation’s cultural landscape but also strengthens the creative economy by integrating original artworks into seven major bank branches across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Jointly managed by the bank and the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, the initiative highlights the Kingdom’s dedication to nurturing creative industries and aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s Year of Handicrafts campaign, which celebrates traditional craftsmanship and empowers artisans.

Sultan Al-Hamidi, the bank’s CEO, reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to developing the cultural and creative sectors across three core categories: fine art, handicrafts, and textiles.

He emphasized the importance of institutional collaborations for lasting impact and highlighted the bank’s focus on nurturing domestic talent through professional exhibition and acquisition platforms, ensuring the economic viability of artists and craftspeople while enhancing their cultural influence both locally and internationally.

Khaled Al-Baz, the society’s CEO, said that the program advances the organization’s mission to strengthen the national creative sector and position Saudi artistic expression as a vital part of the cultural identity, thereby supporting creative economic growth and sustainable development goals.

The first phase of the initiative was launched in 2024, bringing together painters, craftsmen, craftswomen, textile artists, and designers to celebrate Saudi identity by decorating the bank’s Riyadh headquarters with striking artwork that reflects local heritage and culture.


Young artist recreates memories with miniature homes

Young artist Shahd Al-Haq’s childhood in Makkah deeply shaped her sense of place and visual style. (Supplied)
Updated 27 July 2025
Follow

Young artist recreates memories with miniature homes

  • As cities transform, Shahd Al-Haq is helping Saudis reconnect to the past using art

JEDDAH: As Saudi cities embrace rapid transformation and modernization, one young artist is lovingly recreating the homes, streets and stories of old neighborhoods in miniature form, to make sure their spirit is not lost in the process of change.

Shahd Nabil Jad Al-Haq, a 20-year-old artist with Palestinian roots and a Makkawi upbringing, is preserving the soul of disappearing communities through intricate models that celebrate memory, culture and identity.

Her project, “CYAN,” turns nostalgia into something you can see, hold and feel.

Jad Al-Haq’s passion for this kind of art began in childhood, but she developed it professionally in recent years. (Supplied)

“A house is not just walls … it’s moments and memories,” she told Arab News.

In recent years, entire neighborhoods in Makkah and Jeddah have been cleared to make way for smart, efficient and modern developments.

While these decisions are required from an urban planning perspective, the emotional toll has been heavy for some.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Shahd Jad Al-Haq, a 20-year-old artist with Palestinian roots and a Makkawi upbringing, is preserving the soul of disappearing communities through intricate models.

• One of her most touching projects was a model of a family house that was demolished in Jeddah’s old Hindawiyah district.

People — Saudis and non-Saudis alike — have lost more than just buildings; they have lost memories, neighbors, childhood alleyways and the homes that shaped their lives.

Young artist Shahd Jad Al-Haq’s childhood in Makkah deeply shaped her sense of place and visual style. (Supplied)

Amid this sense of loss, Jad Al-Haq found her calling.

“My dream was to study architecture. But through dioramas, I found my own way to connect that dream with art,” she said. “‘CYAN’ reflects who I am, how I feel and the places I miss.”

Jad Al-Haq’s childhood in Makkah deeply shaped her sense of place and visual style.

Jad Al-Haq’s passion for this kind of art began in childhood, but she developed it professionally in recent years. (Supplied)

“My love for old homes and everyday details comes from the world I grew up in. It’s something that shows clearly in my work,” she said.

The first model she created was of her family’s old home, which she gave to her father as a surprise.

“His reaction shocked me; his eyes filled with tears. He said I had taken him back in time. That’s when I realized this was more than just art; it was a responsibility,” she added.

My love for old homes and everyday details comes from the world I grew up in. It’s something that shows clearly in my work.

Shahd Jad Al-Haq, Artist

Al-Haq’s passion for this kind of art began in childhood, but she developed it professionally in recent years. That is when she launched “CYAN” as a cultural, artistic and business project.

Jad Al-Haq’s passion for this kind of art began in childhood, but she developed it professionally in recent years. (Supplied)

She works with materials like wood, cardboard, acrylic and foam, using fine sculpting tools and modern techniques like 3D printing.

“I don’t just work on how things look; I work on how this model will make people feel,” Al-Haq said. “The sound of a door, the sunlight through a window … I want to bring people back to their homes emotionally, not just visually.”

Her project has garnered considerable attention, both within and outside the Kingdom. She has received work requests from many countries and regions, including Kuwait, the UAE, Europe and even the US, from people who long for the homes they once lived in.

One of her most touching projects was a model of a family house that was demolished in Jeddah’s old Hindawiyah district.

“The reaction was unforgettable. There were tears and memories. It was a moment I’ll always carry with me,” Jad Al-Haq said.

Abdulaziz Al-Harbi, who received a miniature of his former Makkah home, said: “Honestly, I got goosebumps. I never thought a small model could move me this much.

“The tiny outdoor stairs reminded me of Eid, of my mom’s voice, of the fan shaking the ceiling. This is more than just a model; it’s a living memory. I told my family: ‘Look, this isn’t just a picture, it’s our actual house.’ Some of them cried, especially the older ones.”

Samia, known as Umm Suleiman from Jeddah, lived in her home for more than 50 years before it was demolished.

She said: “I was amazed, so happy and so thankful. This model brought back all my memories, my parents, my brothers, everything. The house was destroyed and turned into bare land, but this piece preserved the best part of my life.

“I even held a small party to unveil it like a treasure. Everyone cried, from the nostalgia, the love and the childhood we remembered. Shahd took us back 50 years. May she be as happy as she made us.”

Jad Al-Haq dreams of turning her project into a permanent exhibition that brings back the lost neighborhoods of Makkah and Jeddah.

“I want visitors to walk through the models and feel like they’re back in those streets. I want to preserve the memory and the sentimental value that these locations once had. We have to see the stories and the culture that’s still alive in our memories,” she said.

She hopes to integrate augmented reality to deepen the experience, and plans to launch workshops to share her techniques with others.

“A house is not just a place. It’s memory and identity. I hope my art tells everyone: ‘Your memories are worth preserving’,” she said.

 


Tributes pour in as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69

Updated 26 July 2025
Follow

Tributes pour in as Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani dies at 69

DUBAI: Lebanese musician and playwright Ziad Rahbani, who was the son of iconic singer Fayrouz, died on Saturday at the age of 69.

Rahbani, who was born on Jan. 1, 1956, began composing for Fayrouz as a teenager and is the mind behind legendary songs including “Kifak Inta” and “Bala Wala Shi.” His father, composer Assi Rahbani, was a musical icon in his own right.

Considered one of the most influential voices in Lebanese music, Rahbani was also a fierce political commentator and was known for his biting political satire and political theater. Notable plays by Rahbani include “Nazl Al-Sourour,” “A Long American Film,” and “Bema Inno.” 

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam paid tribute to Rahbani in a post on X, calling him “an exceptional creative artist and a free voice who remained loyal to the values of justice and dignity.

“Ziad embodied a deep commitment to human and national causes,” Salam added. 

“On stage, through music and words, he said what many did not dare to say, and for decades, he touched the hopes and pains of the Lebanese people. With his piercing honesty, he planted a new awareness in the conscience of national culture.”


Saudi initiative Sound Futures seeks to bridge music industry gaps

Updated 26 July 2025
Follow

Saudi initiative Sound Futures seeks to bridge music industry gaps

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s MDLBEAST Foundation is inviting regional entrepreneurs to take part in the 2025 edition of Sound Futures, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between music-related startups and investors.

The initiative aims to create local jobs, foster entrepreneurship, and accelerate the regional music economy by giving a stage to startups and entrepreneurs in the music and music-tech space to pitch their ideas to an audience of investors and industry experts during the XP Music Futures Conference, which will run from Dec. 4–6 in Riyadh.

“The music and creative industries in Saudi and the Middle East are evolving rapidly, but support systems for early-stage startups still lag behind at the moment … Sound Futures offers a timely platform for founders to gain access to mentorship, exposure, and possibly investment and funding to help bring their ideas to life or scale their businesses,” MDLBEAST’s Bader Assery told Arab News.

Applications are open to startups, budding entrepreneurs and even students from across the Middle East and North Africa region, with a focus on discovering the next big thing in music — innovations that could shape the future of music creation worldwide.

“One great example is Maqam Labs,” Assery explained. “They started with an idea in year one and returned the following year with a working physical synthesizer that brings Middle Eastern scales (Maqamat) into the world of electronic music.”

The initiative aims to “champion early-stage music startups. Whether they’re building tools for artists, fan engagement platforms, or music tech products,” with applications set to close by October.

According to Assery, key challenges faced by music startups in the region include financial concerns, as well as a lack of access to potential industry partners.

“Access is the biggest hurdle we’ve seen so far. Access to capital, the right mentors, industry partners, and even data. Founders also talk about the difficulty of validating their ideas in a market that’s still building its infrastructure,” he said, referencing issues Sound Futures seeks to address.


Saudi Arabia’s Ithra launches open call for $100,000 art prize

Updated 25 July 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s Ithra launches open call for $100,000 art prize

DHAHRAN: Artists across the region are invited to apply for the Ithra Art Prize, with $100,000 up for grabs and the chance to have their work displayed at one of the Middle East’s leading cultural institutions.

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announced the open call for the seventh edition, with the head of the museum calling it one of area’s “most generous and influential” art grants.

Artists from across the Arab world can submit their proposals via the Ithra website, with a deadline of Oct. 16. This edition will also, for the first time, recognize five finalists with production grants. Their work, along with the winning commission, will be exhibited at Ithra’s headquarters in spring 2026. 

Launched in 2017, the prize initially focused on Saudi and Saudi-based artists but was expanded in its fourth edition to include contemporary artists of Arab heritage across 22 countries.

Farah Abushullaih, Ithra’s head of museum, told Arab News it served as “an open invitation to artists to speak in their own voice.”

She said: “We’re looking for proposals that reflect depth, authenticity and a clear vision. What stands out is work that is intellectually grounded and emotionally resonant.”

Both new commissions and re-contextualized existing works are accepted, provided they are closely linked to the artist’s ongoing research and creative trajectory. 

Applicants must be aged 18 or older and of Arab heritage or residing in one of the 22 Arab countries. Both individual artists and collectives may apply.

“The prize is about expanding the region’s cultural conversations through bold, original ideas. Ithra is committed to supporting them every step of the way, from conception to creation and beyond,” said Abushullaih.

The Ithra Art Prize has played a pivotal role in advancing contemporary art from the region since its inception. Past winners have displayed their works at leading cultural events including Art Dubai, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the AlUla Arts Festival.

Abushullaih said: “Ithra continually evolves its programs to reflect the changing artistic landscape and needs of the Kingdom and the region. In the case of the Ithra Art Prize, this goes beyond funding; we offer a platform for dialogue, critical thinking and meaningful cultural exchange.”

She added sustaining this impact was an ongoing commitment. “It requires long-term investment in artists’ development, authentic community engagement and creating opportunities for works to resonate, both locally and globally. We want Ithra to be a meeting place for cultures to interact, share, and grow,” she said.

Looking ahead, Ithra is already in discussions to present the winner’s work beyond Dhahran.

“Partnerships and collaborations have always been central to how we develop our programs and extend the reach of the artists we support,” said Abushullaih.

“We are in dialogue with institutions based in Saudi Arabia and internationally to explore ways for the seventh edition of the prize to be seen by a wider audience and experienced in new contexts beyond Ithra.”