"I feel a great responsibility to tell our story through art. One of my main goals is to paint many murals not only in Riyadh, but in all parts of Saudi Arabia - each capturing a distinct aspect of our identity." - Noura ben Saidan for Arab News.
Best known for her mural on Riyadh City Boulevard, dubbed the 'Mona Lisa', Noura ben Saidan is making a name for herself on the international art scene, explaining her recent collaborations with MDL Beast and participation in Adidas global campaigns.
"Art galleries bored me, to be honest. Every time I visited, I saw the same people, and I realised that I didn't just want to exhibit my paintings and sell them to this restricted circle. (...) I wanted to reach everyone, from children to the elderly, whether they were locals or tourists. For me, art should be accessible to everyone. What's the point of exhibiting in a gallery in front of 300 people when there are millions outside who can't access it, who aren't invited into this elitist world?"
This is how the urban walls of the Saudi kingdom became giant canvases for the artist. She also performs in international cities such as Barcelona, where the urban art scene remains particularly important in Europe.
Photo: "Mona Lisa", Noura ben Saidan, on Riyad City Boulevard.