In Conversation With Saudi Abstract Expressionist Nasser Al Mulhim

At 37 years old, Riyadh-based Saudi multidisciplinary artist and abstract expressionist Nasser Al-Mulhim is still investigating who he is, what his art represents, and, most importantly, what it means to him and to those who encounter it. For Al-Mulhim, such is the beauty of art: its ephemeral and ever-evolving nature. Over the years, Al-Mulhim has sculpted a signature aesthetic - one that marries geometric shapes with fluid, mercurial representations of the human psyche; a striking and colourful interweaving of the physical and the spiritual, where Al-Mulhim’s muse can be found.

Myriad shapes and colours co-exist on the same canvas; sometimes easy to decipher, oftentimes impossible. Each piece, a dance of abstraction, appears as an invitation to step beyond the surface and into a space where perception is fluid, challenging the viewer to experience it from multiple angles, rather than arrive at a single conclusion. The work is as much about the exploration of meaning as it is about the celebration of uncertainty. Through his work, he channels a multitude of ideas: from the abstract beauty of the Kingdom’s landscapes to the complexities of personal identity within a rapidly changing society. Yet, rather than offering direct answers, his pieces often raise questions, urging the audience to reflect on the tensions between tradition and contemporary life.

Following a brief stint studying engineering, Nasser Al-Mulhim found solace in the world of art, eventually pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from the University of West Florida. It was here that he discovered his true passion and honed his craft, cultivating an appreciation for abstraction and the therapeutic power of creative expression. Since then, his works have been exhibited internationally, with notable shows including Art Dubai (2023), the Noor Riyadh Light Festival (2022), and Tabari Artspace's Shadow Work in Dubai (2022). His art has also been featured in venues such as Hayy Jameel in Jeddah (2021), Hafez Gallery in both Jeddah and London (2021), and the Saudi Art Council’s The Secrets of Alidades (2021).

In an exclusive interview with SceneNowSaudi, the Saudi artist discussed his upbringing in Saudi Arabia, the experience of witnessing his own culture transform into something entirely different from what he grew up in, and the concept of art as "the gate of self-healing."