Saudi Arabia’s culture and art scene is buzzing with activities these days. The Saudi Vision 2030 encompasses all facets of life in the Kingdom. Since the launching of Vision 2030 and other related initiatives, all sectors are witnessing a rapid transformation.
The youth of the country are leaving no stone unturned to make good use of these opportunities and are making efforts to showcase their skills in every field.
Thanks to unprecedented government support, the Saudi youth are proving that they are no less than their global counterparts.
An increasing number of Saudis are transforming their passions into businesses and the country is witnessing a boost in the number of startups.
Shahad Al-Sonare, 25, a psychology intern, is one of many talented young Saudis, who wants to showcase their creative skills in their own unique way.
Al-Sonare established her online store “Colorful” in September 2017. She specializes in cartoon style artwork.
She has been interested in drawing since her childhood. “Drawing was a means to discovering my identity,” Al-Sonare said.
She believes art reflects one’s identity. “In my opinion, types of art cannot be measured. And if an artist possesses a unique talent, to me that means he/she has a unique identity,” she said.
“In my journey to discover my identity and style of art, I fell in love with cartoon art, in all bizarre and unconventional styles, because anything out of the ordinary ignites my passion.”
Al-Sonare said: “My art knows no rules. All I want to draw is something that sparks amazement in anyone who sees it. And they ask themselves ‘how are these shapes combined and how are these colors merged?’”
Al-Sonare established her business because of her hobby. “My art is my identity, and for this reason, I created my little store to share my identity with people and hope they would carry it in their hands.”
Her products are made to order and the store offers prints on T-shirts, phone covers and cups. Al-Sonare is planning to expand the range of her products to include stickers and notebooks.
To help other aspiring artists, her future plans include opening a store that will feature a number of artists and their works. “It will be easier to publicize and will lessen marketing costs.”
Her store can be found on Instagram (@sh.7411).
Startup of the Week: Transforming ‘colorful’ passion into successful business
Startup of the Week: Transforming ‘colorful’ passion into successful business
REVIEW: ‘Is This Thing On?’ — stars elevate Bradley Cooper’s low-key rom-com
DUBAI: Bradley Cooper’s latest directorial effort is based — loosely — on the life of popular UK comedian John Bishop, so you might expect stand-up to be its focus. It isn’t. This is a bittersweet low-key depiction of a love that has eroded between a couple who’ve been together for decades.
Alex (Will Arnett, of “Arrested Development” and “BoJack Horseman” fame) — a regular guy with a regular job — and Tess (Oscar winner Laura Dern) — a former Olympic volleyball player, now a housewife and mom — are separated, heading for a mutually agreed divorce, and keeping it amicable partly for the sake of their two kids, partly because they still get on well — just not well enough to stay together.
Newly single Alex decides to get a late-night drink at New York’s famed Comedy Cellar. To avoid paying the $15 dollar entry fee, he signs up for a slot at the open-mic night (a part inspired by Bishop’s own origin story). With no material planned, he’s not great, but his self-deprecating, anecdotes about his impending divorce get a few laughs. Most importantly, the experience sparks a new passion in Alex and he continues to perform, befriending other comics who offer him companionship and advice and a new perspective that leads him to re-evaluate his own contributions to his marriage. His newfound spark also makes Tess see him in a new light, one that might just convince her to give him another shot.
What elevates this sometimes-saccharine, not-entirely-believable (exhibit A: the scene where Tess discovers that Alex is using their relationship as comedy material) film above similar fare is the engrossing chemistry on show between Arnett and Dern as people struggling to (re)discover themselves in middle age. Arnett is typically charming and witty as Alex, but brings out unexpected depths of emotion in what may be his best performance to date. Dern imbues Tess Tess with the toughness and independence you’d expect from a successful former pro athlete, but gives equal weight to her vulnerabilities as someone who’s invested so much of her identity into something she can no longer do to the same high standards. Their relationship is so sweetly genuine you’ll find yourself rooting for them both.
