Merging graffiti and fine art for a cause

Friends of Jeddah Parks (FJP), in collaboration with Naqaa Sustainability Solutions, recently organized a three-day event, in which a group of volunteers painted the wall of the prestigious Al-Zahid family house in Al-Qurrayyat neighborhood, south of Jeddah, in the presence of the American artist Santos Orellana. The wall, which lies opposite to Faisal Zahid Sports Park in Al-Qurrayyat district, will provide an aesthetic view for those who visit the park, blending graffiti and fine art in a celebration of creativity.   Orellana visited the Kingdom especially to participate in the mural painting event. The artist had previously taken part in a similar artistic volunteer work in 2011, painting a mural wall in an alley in Kuwait. The artist covered the wall with artwork that evokes the importance of preserving and protecting the environment through sustainable development programs. Using Arabic calligraphy in his graffiti artwork, Orellana’s mural covered the remains of the wall, which was previously designed by a number of young Jeddah graffiti artists during the Earth Day celebrations organized by the Saudi Environmental Society (SENS) and attended by Prince Nawaf bin Nasser and Hani Abu Ras, mayor of Jeddah. A team of young volunteers, who live in Al-Qurrayyat neighborhood, participated in the painting and expressed their pride to be part of such an activity, which embraces artwork that is imbedded with messages on environmental awareness. Ayman Filali, director general of FJP, said this event aims to raise awareness among residents in Jeddah about the importance of preserving the environment and parks through painting sophisticated graffiti with environmental and behavioral messages. He also explained that the project serves to reduce vandalism against private property. He expressed FJP’s thanks and gratitude to Naqaa Sustainability Solutions for its contribution and support via their social responsibility program and he extended the group’s appreciation for Orellana’s participation in the event.   Source: ArabNews