Saudi artist Mohammad Alfaraj is showcasing for the first time the results of his 2021 artist residency in AlUla at the Orbis Tertius exhibition, presented at Art Basel Paris since October 18, 2023, at the Grand Palais.
Alfaraj's journey has not been linear. Although he studied mechanical engineering at King Fahd University in Dhahran, his interest in film and photography led him toward art. His background in materials science made him sensitive to the inherent life of inanimate objects, a perception that permeates his work. Describing himself as a "visual poet," Alfaraj captures materialized poems in objects that can be touched and felt in his art.
Alfaraj's works are inspired by agriculture. For him, every element finds a use—nothing is wasted. This philosophy is evident in his stop-motion film The Date Fruit of Knowledge, a central piece in his installation at Art Basel. The film, drawn in the sands of AlUla's palm groves, tells the story of a knowledge-hungry nightingale, inspired by Quranic stories and universal mythologies. The nightingale, made from dates, embodies the relentless pursuit of knowledge, which turns into a curse when it discovers all that was, is, and will be. The film's message is a reminder that destruction or salvation can come from our own actions.
Alfaraj’s installations at Art Basel blend film, illustrations, and natural materials, including palm fronds that form the wings of a bird. The paper used for his drawings is made from palm tree waste, as is the ink, reflecting his desire to transform found objects into new works of art.
In addition to his exhibitions in Paris, Alfaraj is preparing for a new show in Dubai.