- Universal journey of pilgrimage through individual lenses
Nada Al-Turki
RIYADH: Hajj is not only one of the Five Pillars of Islam, but a visceral and emotional experience that brings people together from across the globe.
More than a place of worship, the Grand Mosque becomes a contemplative space for introspection, connection, and unity. Â
From colorful murals to magnetic installations, Saudi artists have depicted this universal journey of pilgrimage through their individual lenses.
Ahmed Mater
One of Ahmed Mater's most popular artworks, “Magnetism,†was constructed using thousands of iron particles surrounding a magnetic cuboid — a symbol of the Kaaba — which became the center of attraction to the small particles. Mater's first visit to Makkah sparked a magnetic attraction to the holy site that would shape his creative outlook on life. “I create most of my artwork based on attraction,†he has told Arab News.
The viewer's eye is drawn toward the contrast and simplicity of the color palette, with the black elements set on white canvas and all the specs attracting simultaneously to the center. In his 2017 to 2018 exhibition “Ahmed Mater: Makkah Journeys,†staged at the Brooklyn Museum in New York, he presented a series of multimedia artworks centering on working conditions, construction, and urban redevelopment that have characterized recent Hajj seasons.
He said: “Sometimes it's really about memory and about the way that our culture teaches about spirituality (and) imagination. Because we are a very spiritual culture, a very emotional culture, in our songs and our intimacy and families. So, I think that's part of our life, and it's created a lot.â€
In his work “Leaves Fall in All Seasons,†an on-ground video documentary, he focuses on the workers who contributed to the mass expansion of the metropolis. He noted that Makkah, as a city, has been nourished and built by Muslim immigrants and pilgrims of all backgrounds, bringing a lively and perplexing feel to the holy city.
“Everyone dreams about this Islamic world. It's their dream to do it once in their life,†he said.
Abdulnasser Gharem
Renowned Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem's 2014 work “Road to Makkah†is an iconic piece made entirely out of rubber stamps. The artist has a keen eye for noticing mundane elements or objects, such as stamps, and brings other ideas to the surface. The work takes a standard sign found on the road to Makkah, directing Muslims straight ahead, non-Muslims to exit to the right, and those on official business toward the left.
Across the artwork, there are statements. “The quotes refer to the unity, peacefulness, and sanctity of the city, perhaps included by Gharem as a subtle critique of the practice of exclusivity. For an American audience, the sign is a shocking reminder of our own recent history and the signage that once separated people based on the color of their skin,†the work's caption reads.
Mohammed Al-Rabat
Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport was home in 2021 to a mural spanning 36 meters, showing the journey of pilgrims throughout history. From land arrivals from the north that passed by AlUla, docking boats alongside the Red Sea's port cities, to modern pilgrims arriving on planes at KAIA's Hajj terminal with its large tent-like structures that can accommodate millions of people each year, the artwork by Mohammed Al-Rabat near the arrivals hall greeted both domestic and international travelers.
Al-Rabat told Arab News previously: “I developed the idea after deciding to draw a mural at the new King Abdulaziz International Airport when its construction started years ago. There were several ideas, but I chose to go with the Hajj journey and I worked on it for eight months inside my studio, where I represented the most significant stages of the Hajj journey, from the old Al-Bunt seaport to King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah.â€
The mural also showcased Jeddah's old urban areas, some of the older Saudia aircraft fleet, and the Grand Mosque's features from various angles.
Maram Al-Wateed
Maram Al-Wateed's painting “Farada†swaps the traditional canvas for the ihram, the clothing worn during pilgrimage, to depict the journey of Hajj. Repetition is a main motif here, signifying the act of Tawaf and its unifying nature as people come together to create a sphere around the Kaaba. She used 35 pieces of painted ihram clothing that are hung individually but come together to form one piece, much like the pilgrims themselves.
Reem Nazir
Artist Reem Nazir made a name for herself when her exhibition “Hajj Journey Through the Ages†displayed at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur in 2019. It showcased 43 original oil paintings of the history of Hajj, the journey to the holy city, and the visit to Madinah. The paintings were set in a bygone era, showing how crowds from all over the world made their way to what is now Saudi Arabia, often by boats and camel caravans.
Princess Reem Mohammed Al-Faisal
Princess Reem Mohammed Al-Faisal, granddaughter of the late King Faisal, had a collection of black-and-white photographs featured at Riyadh's L'Art Pur Foundation under the theme “States of Light.†The show explored the intersection of existence and reality.
Princess Reem uses the lens as a tool to depict complex philosophies and ideas. Through the interplay between light and shadow, she transforms simple moments during Hajj into meditative and poetic reflections on life, spirituality, and human connection.
Princess Reem previously said: “In our modern culture we have been trained to focus upon the physical, although we see through our mind, will, and emotion. There is a spiritual dimension that is expressed through beauty and creativity. This is what I try to achieve for myself through my work.â€
Her photography is not just about capturing an image, but about translating the unseen. “Art without spirituality is not art; it is decoration,†Princess Reem said. “The essence of life, of the human being, is spiritual.â€Â Â
Beginning in Jeddah at the Islamic Port — Saudi Arabia's maritime gateway to its sacred sites — and moving through Makkah and Madinah to key locations such as Mina, Mount Arafat, Muzdalifah, the Jamarat, and the Grand Mosque, the photographs not only capture physical spaces but also convey the atmosphere at these holy sites, allowing viewers to reflect on the sacred in the everyday.
