This was not my first visit to the Shashai Studio in Riyadh's Jaks neighborhood. I had previously had the good fortune to interview creative artists there and attend the Sarmad exhibition, which welcomed many professional and amateur artists and designers. This visit, however, had a different impact. It gave me the opportunity to meet the studio's owner, Saudi visual artist Rashed Shashai, and see his creations among this vast space.

In our interview, Shashai shared his vision for the Saudi cultural scene and explained how he transforms creativity into a collective and influential experience.

Saudi Arabia tells its own story
Your work has been exhibited in various cities and exhibitions. What makes your work unique? What message are you eager to convey?
In today's world of social media and widespread knowledge, culture has become like a single village, and audiences everywhere are similar. The difference sometimes lies in the details, which depend on the artists themselves and their ability to make their artwork or projects more universal rather than limited to a specific culture.

The most important message is that art creates a better way of life, giving people a more conscious and cultured existence through works of art that shed light on issues and help people live better.
The Fifth Pyramid and Its Transformation into a Mass Experience
It is one of your largest and most famous artworks, winning the Guinness World Record for "largest illuminated pyramid made from recyclable materials." How would you describe this piece? Did you expect it to be so successful?

In my opinion, Riyadh is currently experiencing a significant cultural shift that some intellectuals and artists refer to as a "cultural and artistic boom" at various levels. The public in Riyadh has become eager to see new and exciting [developments]and is no longer impressed by the tradition.

The Fifth Pyramid followed a series of four pyramids in different cities and countries. However, they did not have the same impact as this work for several reasons. The most important reason is that the Riyadh audience has become more familiar with the artistic scene. Additionally, the number of visitors was huge and diverse in terms of culture, awareness, and nationality. Thus, the project transformed from an artistic idea into a mass experience that addressed different segments of society.

Saudi visual artist Rashid Al-Shaashaai (Instagram)

In art, the focus is not usually on size, but rather on the impact on the viewer. I was more excited about the audience's reaction after the work won the award than I was about the award itself. With the Guinness World Records award, the work gained wider exposure and reached a more diverse audience.

Artists no longer work alone; artistic practice has become a collective effort, bringing together artists, engineers, architects, scientists, and specialists from various fields to create wonder. Many people from different backgrounds participated in the project's implementation, as if we were building a historical monument that expresses art's ability to serve as a space for the convergence of collective efforts and influence.

The Saudi art scene today:
How would you describe the current state of the art scene in Saudi Arabia? How do you see it developing in the coming years?


Saudi Arabia's art scene is currently experiencing remarkable growth. With every step we take, we move closer to better, more mature stages. The leadership firmly believes in the ability of art and culture to improve the quality of life for citizens and residents of the Kingdom. This belief is reinforced by institutions such as the Ministry of Culture, which is headed by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.

 

The Layla and One Thousand Nights collection by Rashid Al-Shaashaai (Instagram).

Every work of art produced or developed in the kingdom is the focus of global attention as audiences are eager to discover the Saudi art world. For a long time, others talked about Saudi Arabia. Today, however, Saudi Arabia is telling its own story. There's a big difference between having your story told and telling it yourself.

Sustainability and Art
How often do you ensure that a sustainability vision accompanies every idea you work on?

In the Arabian Peninsula, sustainability was an integral part of the lives of our ancestors and parents. If not for their ability to adapt to the harsh desert environment and innovate a lifestyle in harmony with its conditions, this existence would not have continued.

Today, sustainability is a central focus of artistic and cultural institutions. Artworks are discussed outside their usual contexts, and their value is measured by their sustainability and conscious impact.
Recycling is one of the most important tools for fostering this awareness, because it maximizes the use of natural resources while reducing environmental impact. As the world's population grows and resources remain limited, we must think of new ways to reuse materials and develop in a way that preserves the environment rather than depleting it.

Saudi artistic identity
How does Saudi identity influence artistic identity?
We are fortunate to be living in this time and in this country. As artists, our dreams and ambitions are renewed every day, because we are living in a period rich with opportunities and possibilities that were not available just a few years ago. What was a dream or a limited experience five years ago has today become a reality with vast potential.

Saudi visual artist Rashid Al-Shaashaai (Instagram)

Art does not cure the sick or build cities, but it does address the contexts of humanity and knowledge, making them more conscious and mature. It refines human taste and enables people to live deeper and richer lives.