In one of the most prominent “Ajaweed 2” initiatives launched by the Emir of the Asir region and the head of its development authority, Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, and within the awareness path, in Khamis Mushayt Governorate, a group of talented people in the field of graffiti painted more than (11) graffiti paintings on the walls of a neighborhood. Al-Humaila in Khamis Mushayt, executed by four painters; They are: (Khaled Al-Khubrani, Walid Al-Hakami, Saleh Al-Atwi, and Walid Siraj). Although they were not enrolled in academic arts departments or enrolled in specialized art courses, they were able to draw attention to their neighborhood from officials and community members. The neighborhood has become visited by a large number of cities in the Asir region and its centers. Recently, the neighborhood was honored by the visit of the General Supervisor of Ajaweed, Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz, and he met with the work team to encourage them. The neighborhood also received a visit from the Deputy Emir of the Asir region, Prince Khalid bin Sattam bin Saud bin Abdul Aziz. Al-Aziz, and also received attention and follow-up by the Governor of Khamis Mushayt, Khalid bin Abdul Aziz bin Mushayt, the Commander of Ajaweed 2 in Khamis Mushayt, Hussein Hassaniyah, and the Coordinator of the Awareness Path, Fahd Abdullah Marzouq. Motivating them to make these great efforts, and overcoming all the difficulties that stand in their way.
Open gallery
The graffiti murals in the Al-Humaila neighborhood are an open exhibition for this type of art, and in meetings with the painters who carried them out, Al-Watan met the graffiti artist Khaled Hassan Khabarani, who mentioned that the idea of painting on the walls of the neighborhood in the neighborhood began more than nine years ago when he and his friend, the painter Walid Ahmed Hakmi, wanted to To allocate a place in the neighborhood to sit and break the fast during the holy month of Ramadan, so they chose a prominent place there, then they allocated a mural measuring four meters by two meters and painted on it a Ramadan lantern and the famous cartoon character Popeye, and wrote the phrase “Ramadan Kareem, and Happy New Year.” They added, “Smile, you are in the Hamila neighborhood,” accompanied by a smiling emoji. After they found favor with the initiative by the residents and visitors of the neighborhood, they expanded the following year to include drawings on other walls after obtaining permission from the expatriate workers residing in these residences, using drawings and phrases they wrote in cursive, naskh, and diwani script that represent welcoming, awareness-raising, and sarcastic expressions, in addition to In addition to expressions related to the blessed month of Ramadan, and a prayer for parents, and this year the murals and accompanying activities were expanded after agreeing to include the Al-Humaila neighborhood initiative within the Ajaweed 2 initiative in Khamis Mushait to be under the umbrella of Rasma.
The origins of art
Regarding their beginnings with drawing, Al-Khabarani and Al-Hakami mentioned that their talent began with them since the primary stage, during which the art education teacher, Saeed Zahyan, had a prominent role in developing and developing their talent, and the interest and encouragement continued in the middle stage through the art education teacher, Mr. Ali Al-Qahtani. Al-Hakami added that his travel to the United States of America contributed to learning the origins of this art through actual practice with a group of graffiti artists there. Which gave him the necessary skill and experience through contact with artists who have a long history in graffiti.
School walls
Regarding the obstacles, he mentioned that there are many obstacles; Including harsh criticism from the public, and some paintings being damaged either due to erosion and rain factors or due to deliberate vandalism by some individuals, demanding that walls be allocated for them to practice this type of art, which is an outlet for them and highlights their hobbies.
Graffiti in Saudi Arabia: Graffiti was used in Saudi Arabia on the walls of neighborhoods, old alleys that are difficult to reach, the walls of indoor and outdoor cafes, in addition to some external walls of private institutions, and the walls of external schools. With the aim of delivering awareness messages to society, or to vent their emotions and show their talents through expressive drawings, some of which are accompanied by written phrases written in basic or free script, and due to the great role of this art, the Visual Arts Authority held an annual festival for it under the name “Shift 22”, which participated in its first edition ( 30) Local and international painter and illustrator.
Recommendations
Interest in the art of graffiti, introducing it and its artists, and working to encourage and motivate them.
Allocate places to practice this type of art to eliminate random and irresponsible practices.
Holding courses, workshops and competitions for graffiti art.
Municipalities, security, community, cultural, and arts agencies cooperate to pay attention to graffiti, which has become an art practiced in all parts of the world.
