Nasser Al-Salem
Nasser Al-Salem’s (b.1984, Mecca, KSA) artistic practice challenges the boundaries of the traditional Islamic art of calligraphy by re- contextualising it in unconventional mixed media forms and conceptual potential through minimalist and architectural methods.
Al-Salem studied calligraphy in the Haram Al-Sharif and achieved an ‘Ijaza’ certificate – the highest form of recognition and authorisation to transmit the art of calligraphy. He received his undergraduate in Architecture at Um Al-Kora University in Mecca, and currently lives and works in Jeddah. He is co-founder for Al-Hangar, an artist collective based in Jeddah, as well as a member of the National Guild of Calligraphers and an active fellow of Saudi Arabia’s Arts and Culture Group.
Al-Salem’s solo shows; Amma Baad, at Delfina Foundation, London [2019]. Amma Baad, Casa Arabe, Madrid, Spain [2019], State of Affairs, Athr Gallery, Jeddah [2016], And It Remains, Athr Gallery, Jeddah [2012] Al-Salem’s work has been part of numerous group exhibitions including: Al Burda, Abu Dahbi [2019], Ekphrasis, Writing in Art, Villa Empain, Brussels [2019]. Nomadic Traces: The- Journey of Arabian Scripts, Warehouse 421, Dubai [2019], Also, In 2019, he was a part of Out of Place, Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA.Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam, The British Museum, London [2012] Rhizoma, Edge of Arabia, Venice Biennale [2013]; Echoes, Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kansas City [2013]; The Language of Human Consciousness, Athr, Jeddah [2014]; Common Grounds, Villa Stuck, Munich [2015]; Nour/Light, Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival, Sharjah [2015]; Safar, 21,39 Jeddah Arts, Jeddah [2017]; Cities Of Convictions, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Utah [2017]; Epicenter X: Contemporary Saudi Art, Arab American National Museum, Detroit [2017], The Clocks Are Striking Thirteen, Athr Gallery, Jeddah [2018].“Abstraction and Calligraphy − Towards a Universal Language” louvre abu dhabi [2021].
His work is part of the collection of The British Museum, London, LACMA Museum, Los Angeles, Guggenheim، Abu Dhabi, and Centre Pompidou, Paris. In 2013, Al-Salem was shortlisted for the Jameel Prize at the Victoria & Albert Museum. In 2018, 2020 the artist’s work was a part of The Royal Commission of Al-Ula’s, Saudi Arabia.
