DAMMAM: Syrian artist Emar Nedal Hmeidi has opened her first solo exhibition, “Nook,” at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Dammam.

“I am a lively person who loves life — and you can peek into my world over the last three years here,” Hmeidi, who is based in Saudi Arabia, shared with Arab News on the opening night.

Featuring 53 paintings of various sizes, the exhibition reflects Hmeidi’s deeply personal exploration of her space and its transformation — and translation — into works of art.

Hmeidi’s vibrant, melancholic yet playful works depict intimate interior scenes, capturing how her personal nook— a modest corner a short drive away from SASCA — served as her creative sanctuary. It is her place to rest, create and be the most authentic version of herself. 

These paintings, created entirely within that space during the past three years, represent a fusion of reality and imagination, with her use of color serving as an emotional language to convey her inner world.

Reflecting on her move from Syria to Saudi Arabia, she added: “Coming from Syria to Saudi Arabia, I live in a perpetual and permanent state of discovery. Art is an ongoing search for unity in contrasts.”

Her work draws inspiration from Fauvism, evident in the bold and instinctive use of vibrant colors. Hmeidi describes her creative process as one where colors resonate with her emotions, evolving instinctively to match her state of mind. This approach allows her to create uniquely emotive shades that are nearly impossible to replicate.

The paintings showcase her ability to transform static spaces into dynamic sanctuaries through light, mood and creativity. They often depict solitary, reflective moments, such as a woman reading or sipping tea, surrounded by plants and shifting light.

Hmeidi’s journey from Syria to Saudi Arabia brought a profound change to her art and life. Having endured the hardships of life in Syria, where basic needs often overshadowed artistic endeavors, she found stability and peace in Saudi Arabia. This shift in location allowed her to focus on introspection and creativity, channeling her experiences into deeply personal art.

Color plays a central role in Hmeidi’s artistic expression, serving as a medium to communicate her emotions.

“I’m a person who prefers to communicate with colors rather than with words. I love color deeply. For me, it’s not just about putting together shades and tones, but about how colors resonate with me in the moment. I enjoy mixing them instinctively, following the natural flow of my feelings,” she said.

“Sometimes, when people ask how I achieve a specific shade, I could tell them the combination, but it won’t ever come out the same. The color can feel. It always comes from the heart and it has my own personal touch,” she said.

Through her paintings, Hmeidi creates a dialogue between reality and imagination. “It’s about how these elements come together — walls, plants, furniture and light — interacting to form a space where reality and imagination converge. It’s almost as if the corner, the nook, becomes a meeting point for these worlds,” she said.

Hmeidi’s journey to Saudi Arabia profoundly influenced her creativity.

“It wasn’t my choice to come here to Saudi Arabia at first, but over time, I realized that it was the best decision. It empowered me,” she said. “This place gave me more than I ever had before — notably, stability, comfort and peace of mind,” she said.

Reflecting on her past, she said: “Back in Syria, I had to worry about basic needs — electricity, water, safety. Life there was exhausting, and it was hard to focus on creating art with so many external pressures. But here, in Saudi Arabia, I feel an inner peace that I never had before. This change in my surroundings has also brought a change in me and my work.”

Isolation, for Hmeidi, became a source of inspiration. “That solitude can also be a positive state for an artist. It allows immersion into oneself and opens a window for others to explore their own dimensions through art. It’s a journey of documenting personal experiences while discovering the relationship between place and self, color and light, and isolation and creativity,” she said.

Commenting on the recent news from Syria, Hmeidi offered a note of optimism. “This recent burst of joy in Syria was so brief— only about 12 hours. But during that time, we felt a heightened sense of belonging to our homeland, a deep connection. It was a sense of ‘Syria for the Syrians,’ just as Saudi Arabia is for the Saudis.”

She hopes to pick up a paintbrush soon and dedicate the next nine months to creating an entirely fresh set of paintings inspired by the ever-morphing and evolving journey she is experiencing.

For now, Saudi Arabia is home. Visitors to the Dammam exhibition are encouraged to purchase the for-sale paintings, and perhaps hang pieces of Hmeidi’s Nook in their own nooks.

The exhibition will remain on display until at least Dec. 20.