Saudi by Abdullah: Express it Your Way
The first time Abdullah told a friend he wanted to be a model he was just a kid—and only half-joking. Fast forward to the present and Abdullah has achieved his dream and then some! Riyadh-born and raised, he’s a multidisciplinary artist exploring beauty in all its forms, like with LIGHT—where Abdullah collaborated with artists from all walks of life, blending fashion, photography, nature, and art installations at Riyadh Boulevard. Oh, and he’s still serving up fresh fits from Riyadh to Melbourne, appearing in Vogue Arabia and Vice Arabia. Having traveled extensively, Abdullah knows an exciting artistic scene when he sees it, and he says Saudi is it. We had a quick chat with him to find out how he’s pushing boundaries in the Kingdom of Creatives.
Q: When did you first start modelling in Saudi, and what was it like?
It must have been 2018—though it feels like only yesterday! There weren’t many modelling agencies, and it was hard at first. So, I started connecting online with local photographers my age, and I took the first steps to making a name for myself. It’s about more than being photogenic, you really have to develop your own personal charisma and style.
Q: So, it’s a bit like being an influencer?
It’s a fine line, and many people do both, but marketing is not really my thing and that’s really important to being a good influencer. I love fashion, and so I’ve stuck with modelling. It’s not easy, and I have a day job as a technical engineer, but big things are happening here, and I’m excited about the work the Saudi Fashion Commission is doing, especially the great local talent we’re seeing at Riyadh Fashion Week. It’s wild seeing the city I grew up in become a fashion capital for the region!
Q: Do you feel like the Saudi modelling scene has changed for the better as it’s grown?
There’s always room to grow, but I think so, yeah. I now choose projects that fit my values, and my fees reflect the time and effort I invest. I also set my own standards, which used to seem ambitious in the past, but clients now appreciate that these are best practices that benefit everyone involved. It’s all relative, of course, depending on your experience and portfolio, but I think modelling is going places in Saudi.
Q: So aside, from the modelling and the engineering, tell us a bit more about LIGHT.
LIGHT was born as I started to connect with more likeminded artists, we wanted to go beyond our creative comfort zones and start collaborating on art together. We didn’t have a specific outcome in mind at first, we were more interested in the collaborative process and the surprises that could come from the interaction of light, culture, and personal expression. LIGHT, in a word, is all about experimentation. We had fashion, photography, sculpture, creative installations, and so much more going on in one space—and what a space! Riyadh Boulevard was such a great backdrop and a great way for the public to engage with our work as young artists.
Q: What has the experience of having so many different artists in one place been like?
It’s really blossomed into a space to imagine. We’re not teaching or explaining Saudi culture, we’re sharing what it’s like to inhabit it…
Q: One could say, Truly Saudi?
I guess so! We don’t define it –we live it. We create images, sound, space, and sculpture, we celebrate each other’s artistic disciplines and express our belonging in Saudi, whether you’re born and raised here like me, or chose to live and work in Saudi Arabia. It’s not polished, it’s not manufactured, but it’s life in Saudi in all its different textures and realities, and because it’s both new and authentic, you can really feel the audiences’ enthusiasm.
Q: A man of many talents! How do you balance all this great work with your personal wellbeing?
Between castings, long hours, and the pressures of the spotlight, it can be tough sometimes. For me personally, my spirituality keeps me grounded and working out keeps in good shape, both physically and mentally. I’m also using my platform to push for more sustainable fashion. And I have to admit, it’s really great when you get some positive reinforcement. I can’t tell you how many times someone will stop me on the streets of Riyadh to say, “Cool outfit!” It still makes my day.
Q: Any final thoughts on being an artist in Saudi today?
Saudi Arabia is transforming before our eyes, and you can see the excitement in young people here. As artists, we’re experimenting, we’re showing up, and we’re expressing ourselves in new ways. Whether it’s checking out what’s on in the JAX District, or what’s coming down the catwalk at Riyadh Fashion Week, there’s so much to inspire us and there’s so many new platforms to express yourself. What could be a better canvas for your creativity?
Watch Abdullah’s creative process unfold and see Saudi Arabia through his eyes.
Discover more authentic voices and untold journeys on Truly Saudi.
