Shattering expectations: Saudi artist’s journey into glass art

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The intricate details that appear when glass breaks inspired Saudi artist Aseel Al-Maghlouth to create shapes and visuals. (Supplied)
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Aseel Al-Maghlouth has gained significant recognition on social media, where his works are widely admired. (Supplied)
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Updated 22 December 2024
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Shattering expectations: Saudi artist’s journey into glass art

  • Aseel Al-Maghlouth breaks glass to break through in the local art scene

RIYADH: Saudi artist Aseel Al-Maghlouth is hammering a niche for himself by using glass as his canvas.

He stumbled upon the technique while working on his graduation project in mechanical engineering. “I discovered the potential to employ broken glass to create distinctive artistic designs,” he told Arab News.  

The intricate details that appear when glass breaks inspired him to create shapes and visuals and developed a technique that reflected his artistic vision.




Al-Maghlouth turns broken glass into stunning art, showcasing the beauty in fragility and redefining artistic norms. (Supplied)

Al-Maghlouth had a love for drawing from a young age, but it was not until he discovered his ability to express ideas in unconventional ways that his true passion for art crystallized.

“I have always drawn inspiration from the surrounding nature and the intricate details of daily life,” he said. This connection to his environment, combined with his experiences in exploring artworks, helped shape his unique style.  

He finds beauty in the mundane and translates that into his creations, often using glass to convey emotions and narratives that might resonate with viewers.

HIGHLIGHT

By embracing the fragility of glass and transforming it into something beautiful, Saudi artist Aseel Al-Maghlouth challenges perceptions of what art can be.

Al-Maghlouth has gained significant recognition on social media, where his works are widely admired.

This newfound fame has allowed him to sell his works and create custom pieces for clients, including various artists and celebrities. “Creating for such esteemed individuals is an honor, and it motivates me to push my artistic boundaries,” he said.




"Each painting has its own place and story that distinguishes it.” (Supplied)

“The best work I own is the painting of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Frankly, I consider it the most valuable painting I have ever owned, but I refuse to sell it because it was a special gift from me to the crown prince,” he said.

“I have received many offers but I refuse to sell it. As for the rest of my paintings, I prefer not to mention the prices because the value of art for me is not limited to a number. Each painting has its own place and story that distinguishes it.”

One of the greatest challenges Al-Maghlouth faced as an artist was transforming his creations into messages that resonated with his audience. “The biggest challenge was ensuring that my art conveyed a clear idea,” he said.

I want to highlight the beauty of arts in our Saudi culture and connect it with Saudi Vision 2030.

Aseel Al-Maghlouth, Saudi artist

Through experimentation with the nature of glass fractures and the control of his technique, he minimized errors and created pieces that told meaningful stories.

Each strike of the hammer is deliberate, aimed at producing not just a fragment but a narrative that can be interpreted and appreciated by those who view it.

“I want to highlight the beauty of arts in our Saudi culture and connect it with Saudi Vision 2030,” he added, emphasizing the importance of cultural representation in his work.

Al-Maghlouth’s vision for the future is ambitious. He aspires to participate in international exhibitions, representing Saudi Arabia on a global stage. “I dream of organizing a personal exhibition in Riyadh to showcase my works and exchange inspiration with other artists,” he said.

For emerging artists, Al-Maghlouth has simple yet profound advice: “Don’t be afraid of trial and error. Each piece of art reflects a part of you.”

He encourages newcomers to continue developing and learning from every experience, and emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.

His journey is testament to the idea that creativity flourishes in an environment where risks are taken and failures viewed as stepping stones rather than obstacles.

Al-Maghlouth’s work serves as a reminder that art can emerge from the most unexpected materials and methods, encouraging others to explore their creativity without constraints.

By embracing the fragility of glass and transforming it into something beautiful, he challenges perceptions of what art can be.

Al-Maghlouth remains committed to honoring the stories behind each piece, proving that even the most broken fragments can come together to create something truly extraordinary.

 


E-waste recycling — a win-win for environment and economy

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E-waste recycling — a win-win for environment and economy

RIYADH: The expansion of the tech sector and the surge in the use of electronic devices has led to a significant increase in waste from electrical and electronic equipment, one of the fastest-growing types of solid waste globally.

E-waste poses considerable health and environmental risks if not disposed of safely and responsibly. However, it also presents significant economic and social opportunities through proper recycling and investment in sustainable e-waste management.

According to the executive regulations of the electronic and electrical waste management law, e-waste is defined as waste generated from equipment that operates via electric currents or electromagnetic fields. This includes all components, sub-assemblies and consumables associated with the product when discarded.

E-waste encompasses a wide range of electronic products including laptops, printers, digital cameras, portable gaming devices, smartphones and wearable devices such as wireless headphones. These contain harmful and toxic materials like lead, mercury and cadmium. Improper disposal contaminates the environment, including groundwater, and poses significant risks to human health.

Many electronic and electrical devices accumulate in homes, offices and other facilities, often discarded prematurely. They could be repaired, refurbished or have their parts reused; however, improper disposal methods, such as burning or heating, are prevalent. These release toxic fumes, which travel long distances, impacting public health and contributing to environmental degradation, including reduced vegetation cover, increased global warming and the rise of respiratory diseases.

Proper e-waste management is crucial, involving recycling and reusing valuable components while safely disposing of hazardous materials.

Government efforts in e-waste management

The Kingdom’s commitment to environmental sustainability, as outlined in Vision 2030, drives its efforts to recycle e-waste. This aligns with national and global goals, including reducing carbon emissions, achieving carbon neutrality and fostering a circular economy.

Recycling e-waste supports a sustainable economy, effectively utilizes natural resources, minimizes financial waste and enhances social responsibility by enabling needy families to access technology.

The National Center for Waste Management plays a pivotal role in organizing, monitoring and stimulating investment in waste management activities. It aims to significantly reduce e-waste and battery disposal in landfills, targeting a 90-95 percent exclusion rate by 2035 and achieve a reuse and recycling rate for e-waste and damaged batteries exceeding 90 percent.

At COP28, the commission announced the launch of the Developing E-Waste Management Regulations initiative, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, to implement e-waste management regulations in Zambia, Rwanda and Paraguay.

This initiative reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership in global digital sustainability efforts. By introducing regulations that promote a circular economy and offering innovative solutions, the initiative seeks to accelerate the transition to green practices. This is crucial as global e-waste generation has reached 54 million tonnes annually, of which only 17 percent is recycled.

Following a royal order, government agencies can donate used computers to the Ertiqa association.

Ertiqa Executive Director Omar Al-Shaibani told the Saudi Press Agency the association focused on collecting used computers, refurbishing them and distributing them to social and educational entities. It utilizes the Blancco program and adheres to globally approved methods to securely erase all data from donated devices, ensuring user privacy.

One of Ertiqa's notable projects is an initiative launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide computers to students from needy families to facilitate remote learning.

This achieved significant success, with over 40 million educational and training hours logged, over 30,000 devices distributed, and over 27,000 devices recycled. A total of 1,296 entities benefited from this program.

According to Al-Shaibani, over the past ten years, Ertiqa has received over 223,000 devices of which over 97,000 were refurbished and distributed to 3,404 entities, resulting in a reuse rate of 46 percent and a recycle rate of 43 percent.

Recycling operations resulted in a reduction of 13,039,815 kg of carbon emissions, equivalent to the recycling of 2,608 tonnes of e-waste. This involved the participation of over 3,000 volunteers who contributed 57,080 hours, with an estimated economic return exceeding SR2.6 million ($693k).

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission also carried out the “Recycle Your Device” initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and MWAN.

The scheme, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, saw more than 100,000 devices, with a market value exceeding SR30 million, collected from 20,000 participants. More than 240 tonnes of e-waste were recycled and repaired, and over 120 schools and charitable associations received recycled devices.

In the investment sector, the Saudi Investment Recycling Co., a Public Investment Fund subsidiary, was established by a royal decree to spearhead investment in the Kingdom’s recycling sector, aligning with the goals of Vision 2030.

The company’s strategy focuses on investing in recycling 12 waste types to significantly advance the circular economy and contribute to the national target of increasing overall recycling operations to 81 percent.

A key subsidiary of SIRC is ELECTA, which specializes in the treatment and recycling of electronic, electrical and metal waste. ELECTA further invested in the Sorting and Recycling Company for Environmental Services, SIRC’s executive arm for electronic waste and metal recycling.

Citizens and residents wishing to donate devices, which will be collected free of charge, may submit a request through the Ertiqa website at ertiqa.org/en or its app.


Saudi attorney general meets Egyptian counterpart in Cairo

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Saudi attorney general meets Egyptian counterpart in Cairo

  • Visit to Egypt reaffirms strong ties between Riyadh, Cairo

RIYADH: Sheikh Saud bin Abdullah Al-Mujib, Saudi Arabia’s attorney general, met his Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Shawky Ayyad on Wednesday, along with the Egyptian Minister of Justice Adnan Al-Fangari.

The attorney general’s visit to Egypt this week reaffirms the strong ties between the two prosecutors and their ongoing cooperation in combating emerging and cross-border crimes, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The parties emphasized the strong judicial ties between Cairo and Riyadh, and the importance of maintaining cooperation in judicial training and governance procedures, the SPA added.

Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini, the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt, also attended the meeting.


Islamic military coalition addresses extremism prevention at Riyadh forum

Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism organized a symposium in Riyadh Wednesday.
Updated 30 min 27 sec ago
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Islamic military coalition addresses extremism prevention at Riyadh forum

  • Al-Dawah explained that the symposium serves to address the complex drivers of extremism and explore preventive measures

RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition and the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism organized a symposium in Riyadh on Wednesday, commemorating the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism.

The event was attended by the coalition’s assistant military commander, Air Force Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al-Qurashi, as well as member state representatives and coalition personnel, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Chaired by Abdullah Al-Dawah, director of monitoring and analysis at the Intellectual Affairs Department, the symposium emphasized the day’s role in enhancing global efforts to combat terrorism and extremist ideology while fostering peace and tolerance.

Al-Dawah explained that the symposium serves to address the complex drivers of extremism, explore preventive measures, and highlight the crucial roles of community awareness and global cooperation.

In the first session, Yahya Abu Maghayed, director of preventive programs at the Intellectual Affairs Department, examined extremism’s dynamic nature and stressed the need for increased public awareness.

He discussed factors driving its spread and indicators of violent radicalization, such as violence justification, conspiracy theory adoption, and participation in social unrest.

The second session featured Col. Malik Al-Farrayeh, Jordan’s representative to the Islamic coalition, who highlighted the importance of public education on extremist ideology risks.

He emphasized that prevention begins with promoting moderate religious values while rejecting hardline ideas. Al-Farrayeh also noted the critical role of educational and media institutions in promoting tolerance and moderation.

He stressed the need for regional and international cooperation to prevent extremism from evolving into a security threat.

The event concluded with recommendations to strengthen community oversight, reinforce moderate values, and address extremism’s root causes.

Participants underscored the need for coordinated international action to combat this phenomenon and protect communities from its impact.


Team behind Dammam’s doors exhibition highlights importance of traditional crafts

Abwab Al-Sharqiya (The Doors of the Eastern Province), was installed in late 2024 along Dammam’s corniche. (Supplied)
Updated 56 min 8 sec ago
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Team behind Dammam’s doors exhibition highlights importance of traditional crafts

  • Abwab Al-Sharqiya exhibits traditional carved wooden doors along Dammam’s corniche
  • Creators want to promote traditional Saudi craftsmanship

DAMMAM: The team behind a public exhibition showcasing the artistry of eastern Arabia’s carved wooden doors has spoken of their cultural significance.

Abwab Al-Sharqiya (The Doors of the Eastern Province), was installed in late 2024 along Dammam’s corniche, and the exhibition’s creators are highlighting the importance of preserving and promoting traditional Saudi craftsmanship.

Sculptor Hassan Al-Hussain, who carved the doors, emphasized their significance: “Each door carries engravings and motifs that reflect the ancestors’ stories, traditions and deep cultural ties.”

Sculptor Hassan Al-Hussain. (Supplied)

Engineer Ayat Al-Herz, who designed the doors, added: “Creating these traditional doors required a balance between cultural authenticity and modern design standards, ensuring both heritage preservation and high-quality craftsmanship.”

Among the experts behind this initiative is Saeed Alwayel, an Al-Ahsa-based artist, researcher and academic specializing in the architectural heritage of the Arabian Gulf.

With a PhD in interior architecture, and during more than four decades of research, Alwayel has extensively documented traditional crafts, particularly wooden and plaster ornamentation. He describes door-making as “one of the deeply rooted professions in Saudi society, particularly in Al-Ahsa and the Eastern Province.”

Saeed Alwayel, an Al-Ahsa-based artist, researcher and academic specializing in the architectural heritage of the Arabian Gulf. (Supplied)

His research involved fieldwork, interviews and material analysis. His first study on wooden decorations in Al-Ahsa’s traditional architecture was published in 1998, and he later expanded his research to cover the entire Eastern Province, culminating in a book published by the King Abdulaziz Foundation in 2011.

Reflecting on his efforts, he said: “Despite the extensive work involved, this project remains one of my most rewarding contributions.”

In recognition of Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage, the Ministry of Culture has designated 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, an initiative celebrating traditional craftsmanship and its artistic and historical significance.

This installation was gifted to the people of the Eastern Province in celebration of the fifth anniversary of Ithra’s “Al-Sharqiya Gets Creative” initiative, which launched in 2020 and has become an annual tradition. The project visually connects the region’s creative history with its promising future.

The installation features five traditional door styles historically prevalent in the Eastern Province, while the sixth door symbolizes the region’s creative diversity.


Syrian prime minister lauds Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian program

Updated 56 min 49 sec ago
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Syrian prime minister lauds Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian program

  • Convoy of 60 trucks crosses Jouf region to deliver urgent aid to people in need

RIYADH: Syrian Arab Republic Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Bashir met a volunteer team from Saudi aid agency KSrelief led by Volunteer Programs Director Dr. Ali bin Saad Al-Qarni.

During the meeting in Damascus, they discussed developments in the Saudi Amal Volunteer Program, which supports Syrians through 104 campaigns in medical and surgical specialties, training and education, and economic empowerment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Syrian prime minister expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia, led by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for KSrelief’s generous humanitarian aid.

Al-Bashir also praised the Saudi Amal Volunteer Program’s effective role in assisting the Syrian people, the SPA reported.

The KSrelief team, in turn, thanked the Syrian government for facilitating the program’s work, highlighting the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Syrians through a range of humanitarian and relief initiatives.

Meanwhile, a convoy of 60 aid trucks, part of the Saudi humanitarian operation by KSrelief, passed through the Jouf region on Tuesday en route to Syria through the Al-Haditha border crossing, the SPA reported.

Loaded with food, relief supplies and shelter materials, the convoy was warmly received by locals in Jouf, who provided support under the guidance of Jouf Gov. Prince Faisal bin Nawaf.

The KSrelief team expressed gratitude to the governor and the people of Jouf for their hospitality, the SPA said.

The humanitarian operation reflects Saudi Arabia’s efforts to assist people in times of crisis.