By visual artist Saud Al-Othman Al-Hajri
An art education teacher, a representative of the Kingdom internally and externally in plastic arts, and a member of the artistic movement in the Kingdom

Plastic artist / Saud Saad Al-Othman, one of the artists of the Shield Club studio in Dawadmi. He was born in the year 1376. He holds a diploma from the Institute of Art Education. He works as an art education teacher and is one of the founding members of the Dawadmi Fine Artists Group. He is distinguished by his artistic style by drawing paintings about popular heritage. He has several contributions, including internal and external ones, and holds a master’s degree. Many awards and has a number of collectibles.
We are pleased to meet him and begin this dialogue with him:
*Tell us about the first influences in your artistic career?
-The beginning was in primary school, where I was influenced by the art education teacher at that time, Mr. Saleh Al-Rashed, currently director of the Youth Welfare Office in Dammam. He encouraged me to draw, as did my schoolmates. After a period of time, the General Presidency of Youth Welfare opened club ceremonies, where I began to see my artistic path progressing. From good to better, especially when I participated with my fellow Dawadmi artists such as Al-Naghaither, Al-Abdulkarim, Al-Tatahin, Al-Dahim, Abu Yad, and Al-Ratha’i.
*The artist has his own way and style in the beginning of presenting a work, so what method do you follow?
My style is the realist school of God Almighty’s creation in this universe, and this style is the beginning of every artist to whom God gave this nature. For example, the international artist Picasso, the artist Braque, and the artist Van Gogh were drawing realism until these different schools came.
*Are you satisfied with the work presented to the artistic scene?
-Yes, I am completely satisfied, because fine art is slow in its progress on the scene, and it is an intellectual, manual, and human production at the same time.
*Some paintings are satisfied with their geometric shape and color rhythm and in the end do not say anything. What is your comment?
The geometric shape is one of the Cubist schools. It has a certain rhythm and colors that are overlapping, harmonious with each other, and parallel. What the artist creates is an expression of what is within himself.
*What is the role of art exhibitions in promoting the artistic movement in the Kingdom?
The role of exhibitions is essential in the artistic movement, as they are a recording of our heritage in the past, where the artist expresses his brush on the canvas and displays it in front of everyone so that they can see his art and creativity in all exhibitions, with the attention that the Saudi artist receives in light of the state’s sponsorship of him, represented by the General Presidency for Youth Welfare, because of his great influence in stimulating him. Encouraging his development under the guidance of His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Fahd and His Highness his deputy, Prince Sultan bin Fahd.
*How do you explain the isolation of some artists and their lack of participation in events?
- An artist who is sincere in his art does not have isolation or lack of participation in events, but rather you find him working to present new works of art, or this artist may go through a circumstance that prevents him from giving.
*If you were to see one of your paintings signed by someone and displayed in an exhibition, what would be your position?
- No artist will accept to display the work of others, and if this happens, this indicates the imminent failure of the exhibitor for this displayed painting.
*Tell us about the Shield Club’s studio?
Since the club’s studio was founded by a group of artists from the city of Dawadmi, the studio has achieved top positions in the Kingdom, and this studio has become the gateway to fame for many Dawadmi artists, whether visual artists or sculptors.
*To what extent does the city of Dawadmi benefit from your art?
I have many field contributions in the city of Dawadmi, including the citadel, which is a model of folklore, 5 meters wide and 12 meters high, placed on the roundabout leading to the industrial area.
*What do you think of the arbitration committees that judge exhibitions and paintings during exhibitions?
-The arbitrators must be from different schools so that each school is given its own arbitration.
*Why are there no pseudonyms in the artistic community?
- How can the name be a pseudonym? No visual artist will accept this because when the artist finishes each exhibition in which he participates, a certificate is presented to him in his name in appreciation for his efforts and artistic contribution. Also, international artists do not put pseudonyms on their artistic works, and if they had put them, this artist would not have been known and his works and paintings would not have been known. .
*Do we have critics in the field of fine art?
-Yes, we have many critics, whether Saudi artists or Arab artists.
*To what extent do you accept criticism?
- Accept purposeful criticism, not criticism that leads to frustration. Accept criticism of artistic work and accept guidance to what is right.
*Why do some artists refrain from attending exhibitions?
From my personal point of view, there is no reluctance to attend exhibitions, but the occurrence of exhibitions in distant places prevents this artist from attending this exhibition, and there are also personal circumstances.
*Did you find your own style in achieving your artistic ambitions that you had during the period of research and investigation?
-As I mentioned to you, my style is the style of realism, and it is not specific to me, but rather the style of every artist who begins practicing this art, but I try to introduce the style of the Cubist school into some of my works.
*Do you hold yourself accountable after every painting you paint?
-Yes, I hold myself accountable after every painting I make and review.
*How happy are you with each new painting?
-I am very happy when I finish making the new painting because I feel that I have produced this handmade painting that I have been sitting and working on for a long time.
*How long does a painting take to finish?
-I work according to spare time, but the painting takes between 15 and 20 days.
*What has holding personal exhibitions added to you?
I would like to clarify to the reader that I did not hold a personal exhibition, but I held many exhibitions with my fellow artists in the city of Dawadmi. These exhibitions with my colleagues added to my exposure to everything new presented on the art scene by artists who have a long history in this art, and I also benefited from their guidance and advice.
*What is your interpretation of the courses?
Holding courses is important for every artist looking to benefit, as it polishes him and directs him to the right work. However, a bankrupt artist devoid of talent will not benefit from the courses, even if he participates throughout his life.
*What do you think of the phenomenon of quotation, or what some artists call it?
- The quotation should not overshadow or eliminate the artist’s personality. For information, at the beginning of the Cubist artistic movement in 1910 AD at the hands of the international artist Picasso and the artist Georges Braque, each of them quoted from the other’s works to the extent that it was difficult to distinguish between their works. This was made clear in Braque’s painting (Cummings).