Desert Plants

“Al Saleem discerned a new dimension of freedom conferred upon modern man by modern art”
- Historian and Critic Professor Renzo Federici, Fidelity Plastic Art Exhibition by Mohammad Al Saleem. Riyadh, 1992.

Mohammed Al Saleem, was a Saudi pioneering artist. He was born in 1939 in the city of Marat, located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula. His innate passion for art became evident early on and was reflected in his evocative portrayals of the cultural essence of his environment; from the vast desert, to the native flora and the singular beauty of his natural surroundings. In Riyadh, starting the late 1950s, he began to combine teaching art with a continuous artistic practice, always striving to define his creative identity and to articulate a singular artistic vision. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, Italy. This academic experience played a crucial role in shaping both his artistic and academic perspective, deepening his understanding of art and sharpening his critical approach. It also provided an opportunity for him to engage with artists and scholars from varied backgrounds, expanding his knowledge and inspiring a more profound and holistic approach to modern creative concept. Many critics have found that his works convey a fundamental message to Desert Art, with some even considering his unique drawing style as a defining example of ‘Saudi art’.

Al Saleem believed that nature plays a vital role in shaping human taste. The Saudi individual is immersed in an environment and landscape abundant with aesthetic elements: form, colour, and line that profoundly influence their artistic sensibilities. In the painting ‘Desert Plants,’ was inspired by the natural environment present in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the desert and its varied plant life are thoughtfully distributed across the canvas. The horizon lines merge seamlessly, reflecting the vastness of the desert and the texture of the sands; which then blend harmoniously in with the contours of the sky. The mirage effect is subtly reflected at both the top and bottom of the painting, generating a rhythmic play of colour that echoes the vibrant and poetic essence of the subject. This interplay unveils the identity of the individual, whose character is deeply intertwined with the environment that shapes him.

In this painting, Al Saleem employs the palette knife technique on canvas, blending monochromatic tones in a distinctive style. The warm hues, ranging from yellow to orange and brown, are enriched by the use of bronze and primary colours. This careful emphasis on their warm variations evokes the powerful intensity of the sun and its reflections across the desert horizon, extending endlessly into the distance.

This painting holds significant value as a distinctive work from the early stages of the ‘Horizonism’, capturing the transitional phase between his pre- and post-Italy works. It serves as a testament to his extraordinary artistic maturation, encapsulating his evolving ideas, philosophy, and visual interpretations which were deeply influenced by the Saudi landscape. Al Saleem described this style as ‘the art of the desert in both form and meaning, technique and concept, allowing the Saudi school to emerge in international visual art through identity and human spirit.’ He viewed ‘Horizonism’ as a unique artistic approach that embodies visual expression through line, colour, and mass, shifting away from traditional realism to a renewed form of expressionism. This innovation captures the soul of the desert man, culminating in a complete artistic composition akin to a musical piece seen through the eyes. This exceptional work by Mohammed Al Saleem stands as a testament to sincere, profound, and authentic artistry, mirroring the very essence of the Saudi individual. It embodies a message born from creativity and an infinite horizon shaped by boundless ambition.

- By Dr. Soha AlZaid

Mohammed Al Saleem's work is part of SAUDI NOW!, a carefully selected group of works by Saudi artists spanning over four decades. The group traces the unique history of the Kingdom’s artistic evolution; from the development of a modernist language deeply enmeshed in the country’s cultural heritage, to innovative contemporary works that challenge perceptions of what Saudi art is and can be.

The selection features work by visionary modernists Abdul Halim Radwi and Mohammed Al Saleem and showcase their lasting legacy on today’s leading contemporary artists including Ahmed Mater, Manal Al Dowayan, Ayman Yossri Daydban and Abdulnasser Gharem. SAUDI NOW! also highlights the new generation of Saudi artistic voices such as Moath Alofi, Nasser Al Salem and Hmood Al Attawi who are based in Riyadh’s creative hub, the JAX district. Through their innovative multimedia practices, they are reshaping artistic conventions and expanding the possibilities of traditional media.