Hussain Alismail - Rekindling Cultural Connections
Hussain Alismail is a visual artist and designer who has recently relocated to Melbourne to pursue his Master of Design Innovation & Technology at RMIT. With a BFA in Drawing and Painting from OCAD University in Toronto, Canada, and a BCA in Visual Effects & Entertainment Design from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, I bring a wealth of creative experience to my practice.
Primarily a drawer and painter, my work delves into the complexities of Saudi social dynamics, using both digital and physical platforms to give voice to everyday conversations. My art offers a unique perspective that challenges viewers to reconsider the nuances of human relationships and forms of expression.
Beyond drawing and painting, I also explore other media such as photography, filming, digital graphics, and more. This versatility allows me to experiment with different approaches and find the best way to convey my ideas.
Inspired by journey culture, I skillfully narrate individual and community stories, amplifying the diverse narratives I portray. My art aims to revitalize cultural connections and foster a deeper understanding of shared human experiences.
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Next: Artist in Residence, TBA.
Next: Solo exhibition in Melbourne, Australia. 2025
Next: Solo exhibition in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. December 2024.
Past: Art & Design Market at Misk Art Week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 5-10 December 2024.
Past: Group exhibition “Red” at A-N.Studio in Melbourne, Australia on 3 August 2024.
Past: Diriyah Biennale Design store. Riyadh, February - June 2024
Now: Masters of Design Innovation & Technology at RMIT, Melbourne, Australia. March 2024- Nov 2025.
Past: Collaborating with Huna Takhassusi to display various art projects in their space. February 2024
Past: Solo exhibition “Habaat” in Lift Gallery, Riyadh. 12 February - 15 March 2024.
Past: Leading “Digitising traditions: 3D scanning” workshop at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall, Riyadh on 3 February 2024.
Past: Attending “design services and products in the cultural sector” masterclass by Peter Gould presented by Cultural Development Fund in Almashtal House in Riyadh. 28 January 2024.
Past: Leading “Capturing Najdi Doors Through Sketching and Watercolors” workshop in Diriyadh Season. 19 January 2024.
Past: Open discussion around my exhibition in Shashai Studio in Jax District, Riyadh on 13 January 2024.
Past: Live-drawing performance in Shashai Studio in Jax District, Riyadh on 13 January 2024.
Past: “Infinite Cities” A showcase of a series of artworks at Shashai Studio in Jax District, Riyadh. 10 - 20 January 2024.
Past: “ Beyond The Door” exhibition in Turaif Park in Diriyah Historical District, Riyadh. 7 January - 4 February 2024.
Past: Live drawing performance in Art Vision gallery in Riyadh on 30 December 2023.
Past: “Collection, 2nd edition” Group exhibition in Art Vision Gallery in Riyadh. 28 December 2023 to 30 January 2024.
Past: Leading “ Photogrammetry in video art” workshop in Video Art Forum at Dar Nora Arts Centre in Alahsa on 21 Dec 2023.
Past: Panelist in a discussion panel titled “ Khaliji experiments in Video Art” with Qatari Artist Amira Alaji, Bahraini Artist Kawether Fattallah, Omani Artist Hajer Alharrasi and moderated by Saudi Artist Mariam Bukhamsin in Video Art Forum on 21 December 2023.
Past: Exhibiting in Video Art Forum the fifth edition in Dar Nora Arts Center in Alahsa between 20-28 December 2023.
Past: Closed round table session ( Reflection on recent developments and selected initiatives in Saudi Arabia’s visual arts sector) at Misk Art Week on 6 December 2023.
Past: Tracing The Absent (Misk Art grant exhibition) in Prince Faisal bin Fahd Fine Arts Hall in Riyadh 5 Dec 2023 - 7 March 2024.
Past: Led two creative experiences at the Noor Riyadh Light Festival 2023. Curator’s tour: perspectives unveiled (KAFD) on 30 November 2023 & JAX on 3 December 2023.
Past: Touring Dose Cafe branches around Alkhobar, Alahsa, Jazan, Albaha, Yanbu, and Buraydah to celebrate the new brand I designed and engage with the community. 24-29 November 2023.
Past: Painting a mural in the Social Development Bank headquarters building in Riyadh 4-6 November 2023.
Past: Live drawing performance at Healing exhibition 2-3 November 2023.
Media: Arriyadiyah News on Heal Exhibition.
Past: Healing exhibition by Atrum at KAFD Financial Plaza, Riyadh between 2-11 November 2023.
Past: Artist’s consultant & assistant in Bienalsur in SAMoCA at Jax. Oct 2023.
Past: Art consulting sessions for the British Council in Riyadh in October 2023.
Past: VAC Paris cultural trip 17-27 October 2023.
Netflix: showing “Leaf Tea” short film as part of Saudi Voices Series: season two. (My role: Art director).
Media: read my interview article on Design Network. 11 October 2023. Arabic
Past: Live painting at the lunch event of the France Cultural Season in Residence De France, DQ, Riyadh on 5 October 2023.
Past: Art activity in the National Day celebration in Munjz head office in Riyadh on 25 September 2023.
Past: Misk Art Grant 2023 recipient.
Past: Live drawing performance at the VIP launch event of the Souq Aldar festival by Social Development Bank at Riyadh Front on 20 September 2023.
Past: Set designer in a theatre play for Annaham Festival in Dammam, Saudi Arabia in October 2023.
Past: Art director in film production for the Annaham Festival in Dammam, Saudi Arabia in September 2023.
Past: Madan Symposium exhibition at Madina Arts Centre 12 August - 9 September 2023.
Past: Participating Artist in Madan International Art Symposium at Madina Arts Center 3-10 August 2023.
Past: Done a series of illustrations for the rebranding of Dose Cafe. July 2023.
Past: Attended “Sustainable urban design & community art in public places” by Insaf Hamrouni in Mazj Space in Alkhobar on 18 July 2023.
Past: “Art Riyadh: 5th edition” Group exhibition at Naila Gallery in Riyadh 10-27 July 2023.
Past: “A journey with a sketch”: A Talk at Clear Hub on 18 June 2023.
Past: “SAAI Factory on Art & AI” Workshop at L’Art Pur in Riyadh 8-14 June 2023.
Past: “Tea Gathering”: A group exhibition at Galerie D’Art in Alsamhania, Diriyah 9 -17 June 2023.
Past: Private sector stakeholder workshop by MOC at Fenaa Alawaal in DQ Riyadh on 6 June 2023.
Past: “An introduction to multidisciplinary arts” Presentation at the opening event for the Cultural Talents Tournament: the training campaign by MOC & MOE in Sunset Hotel in Jeddah in 16 May 2023.
Past: “Lens for equality: a group photography exhibition” at Residence De France 10 May 2023.
Past: Art activity for Eid Aladha celebration in Saudi Power Procurement company head office in Riyadh on 4 July 2023.
Past: “Dreams: the first group exhibition of Jax District’s artists” at Madina Art Center in Madina 25 Jan - 3 July 2023.
Past: “Lens for equality: a group photography exhibition” at Ahlam Gallery 21 Dec 2022 - 29 Dec 2022.
Past: Attending the “Art, Design & Research” masterclass by Mariam Alnoaimi as part of Misk Art Week 2022 in Riyadh.
Past: Tea leaf (short film) screening in Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah between 1-10 Dec 2022. Tickets
Past: Noor Riyadh six-month apprenticeship program led by Saad Howede at WASM Studio Sept 2022-Feb 2023.
Past: Noor Talk: Emerging Riyadh artists at JAX Noor exhibition on 12 Nov 2022. Tickets
Past: Istikshaf program & study tour by Geothe Institue 18 Oct - 29 Nov 2022.
Past: Lens for equality workshop by Geothe Institue & Alliance Francaise 2-11 October 2022.
Past: VAC mentorship & guidance program (online): Mentored by Muhannd Shono
Past: Read my article about my recent residency experiences on Thuluthain (Arabic). click here
Past: Unmask, SALA festival in Adelaide, South Australia 8-12 August 2022.
Past: Masaha Showcase at Misk Arts in Riyadh from 29 May to 11 June 2022.
Past: Masaha art residency (cycle 3) at Misk Arts in Riyadh from February to May 2022.