Saudi Arabian artist and founder of Nemal Studio, Sara Al Namlah, has carved a distinctive space in the Kingdom’s creative landscape. Through her creative work, she seeks to preserve her country’s unique heritage while reimagining it for current generations. Her approach, which she calls “visual poetry”, blends historical and contemporary narratives into rich, evocative pieces.
Sara began her artistic journey in printmaking, a rare field in Saudi Arabia. “Printmaking combines design and art,” she tells Villa 88. “It gives me the freedom to create meaningful pieces that are both beautiful and digestible to the viewer.” Her work often begins with poetry, inspired by the richness of the Arabic language. She either writes her own verses or draws on historical Arab poets, translating the texts into visual narratives. “I never showcase my writing specifically. Instead, I present it as an art piece,” she says.
Identity, particularly the DNA of the Arab woman, is at the heart of her work. “I always try to find something relatable, something that talks about who we are and where we come from,” she says. Her themes centre on empowerment, generational storytelling, and cultural preservation, celebrating the contributions of Arab women through time. Inspired by her grandparents and earlier generations, her pieces honour the past while offering a fresh, contemporary point of view.
This fusion is evident in her use of materials, motifs, and colour palettes. “When you look at old Saudi clothes, you’ll see mostly black, red, and brown,” she notes. “Those colours came from the land and the food they ate – dates, pomegranates, palm trees. The patterns often featured these natural elements. This is how people communicated who they were.”
Sara’s passion for storytelling began in childhood. Raised in a creative household, her mother, an art teacher, encouraged express through artistic play. One standout memory for her is a notebook ritual in which Sara and her siblings would write messages to their mother and tuck them under her bed to be answered the next day. “It helped me express things I couldn’t always say,” she recalls.
Those early experiences led her to establish Nemal Studio, a space designed to offer others the creative opportunities she once longed for. The studio offers workshops in painting, graphic design, and hands-on skills that act as both artistic development and creative therapy. “These were things I didn’t have access to when I was younger, and I want to make them available now for others,” the artist shares.
Sara is also thoughtful about collaborations, working only with brands that reflect her values. One of these is ASTERI Beauty, a Saudi make-up brand rooted in female empowerment and identity. Together, they created a 3D box inspired by classical Arab poetry and the strength of women. “Sara [Al Rashed], the founder of ASTERI, names her products after her friends and the traits that make them special. It was beautiful to be part of something so personal,” she says.
Beyond her studio, Sara Al Namlah frequently speaks at local events, sharing insights and encouraging young creatives. She’s also preparing a summer pop-up through Nemal Studio to unite small business owners, workshops, and speakers for community growth.
“The creative industry in Saudi Arabia is growing faster than ever,” she says. “There are more platforms, more support, and more opportunities to connect with other artists. My goal is always to make people feel connected, inspired, and seen.”
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