Faisal Al Tayeb is a rising artist and an aspiring calligrapher who combines the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy and graffiti in his murals. His paintings show a high taste and creative imagination in dealing with calligraphy outside the classical style and traditional paintings, investing the modern methods of drawing and expression, in addition to digital tools to produce a contemporary painting that emphasizes the aesthetics of the Arabic letter and its ability to please in a modern vision.
In this interview, Al Tayeb talks about his beginnings, the difficulties he faced in this field, and about identity and its expression through art.
“Al Faisaliya”, photographed by Muhannad Al-Yahya, designed by artist Faisal Al Tayeb. Art courtesy of the Artist.
Q1: Tell us about you, your art and your achievements:
I participated in several exhibitions in Riyadh and Sharqiya. I organized gatherings of artists in the Eastern region and I also designed a cover for Sand Rose SPE magazine, Harper Bazar Arabia, as well as a cover for the French Embassy magazine.
Q2: What does art mean to you?
Art is one of the foundations of life; it gives it an aesthetic pleasure and noble meanings.
Q3: When did you start practicing Arabic calligraphy, and how did you enter this field?
My artistic start was six years ago in the Artology exhibition in Riyadh, and as for Arabic calligraphy, my interest in its aesthetics started about three years ago.
Nature delights in simplicity. Art courtesy of the artist.
Q4: Why did you choose the art of Arabic calligraphy?
I chose it because of its authentic Arab aesthetic identity, my admiration for the overlapping of letters and their consistency, and the wide aesthetic and expressive options in the interconnection of letters and the relationship between them.
Q5: What difficulties did you face at the beginning of your artistic career?
Difficulties were the criticism resulted from the underestimation of arts by a part of society, but thank God, during the past years, this view has changed a lot and art is receiving more respect, attention and appreciation, because of the strong support art receives and the future outlook from the government.
Q6: Who are the artists that you consider your role models in art?
The artists I like the most are Leonardo da Vinci and others like him who are creative in many fields and are not limited to one field. Locally I admire Doctor Wael Al-Sabeel, who was one of my biggest supporters in my early days.
Nature delights in simplicity. Art courtesy of the artist.
Q7: What does the term identity mean to you in an artistic way?
Identity is inseparable from the social and cultural context of the society in which the artist lives, but artistic identity has its own characteristic, and its field is distinction and expression of individuality.
Q8: What is the motto that you live by?
The saying of Austrian writer Peter Altenberg: “The art of living is living your life with art.”
Q9: How do you embody identity in your artwork?
The most beautiful embodiment of my identity as an Arab is the aesthetics of the Arabic letter, and my individual and emotional identity is in harmony with the surreal trend and its free worlds, and the huge diversity of vision and creativity from one person to another offered by this trend.
Nature delights in simplicity. Art courtesy of the artist.
Q10: How do you want people to feel when they see your paintings? What is the main message you are trying to spread through your art?
To have fun looking into the finer details of the painting. My message is that art has a great positive impact on society, so it is necessary to spread art in all its types, and to cultivate the artistic taste that affects all aspects of our lives.
Q11: What are the feelings or moments that motivate you to paint? What influences you as an artist?
The feeling of accomplishment after the painting or mural is finished is the most important motivation for me to start a new job. This achievement is evidenced by the impact of the work on the recipient and their interaction with it by criticism or admiration, and praise greatly affects the artist and pushes them to continue and develop.
Q12: What are your ambitions and future projects?
Representing Saudi Arabia in international forums and spreading the art of murals in all regions of the Kingdom to make our streets and squares more beautiful and enjoyable.
