“People might change their view of art in Saudi Arabia after seeing my work,” says Mounirah Mosly. The Saudi Arabian artist is acclaimed for her experimental art – utilising a range of materials and bespoke dyes in her craft. Her practice spans painting, graphic design, teaching and art consulting with extensive contributions to Arab publications throughout the region. Represented by Hafez Gallery in Jeddah, her work was showcased for the first time at Art Dubai Modern in 2016, with a prominent line-up of twentieth century masters from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

Mounirah Mosly at her exhibition, ‘On the Stairs of Color There Are Traces of My Steps’ at Hafez Gallery, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 1954. Mosly pursued her artistic studies at the College of Fine Arts in Cairo in 1974 and earned a diploma in Graphic Design from California in 1979. A pioneer, she paved the way as one of the first female artists to exhibit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “I have great respect and admiration for the women in my country. Because they are strong and determined human beings,” she declares. “There are great women overcoming challenges through determination and with the support of their family.” She continued to showcase her work regionally and internationally from Beirut and Baghdad to London and Paris. “In my case, the challenge has been to leave the trace of my artistic mark on the map of the world,” she reflects. “I have overcome all the difficulties I have faced.”

Visitors at Mounirah Mosly’s exhibition ‘On the Stairs of Color There Are Traces of My Steps’

Throughout her career, Mosly has shined a light on the implications of war on children in the Middle East illustrated in Gaza Child: Artistic Stand exhibition in Riyadh and For the Children of this Generation, which was presented at Art Dubai. She describes why this subject has been a focal point in her career. “I have been very affected by the suffering of children, particularly in Gaza, Palestine. The main victims of war are children. The more you destroy them, the more you destroy the coming nations. Children represent hope for future generations.” Consequently, she has used her artistic skills as an instrument for change.

Her participation at the tenth edition of Art Dubai serves as a key contribution of Saudi Arabian art. “It is a representation of my identity. I want to leave my mark from the holy city of Mecca that I was born in – to prove that Arab countries can be on the artistic map of the world.” – Nada Bokhowa

This article first appeared at Blog.ArtDubai.ae on February 8, 2016