Nasser Al Salem KSA, b. 1984

Overview
Nasser Al Salem

Nasser Al Salem is a conceptual visual artist and calligrapher whose work reimagines traditional Arabic script. Al Salem’s calligraphy is more than just inscription; it is a means of revelation, where text becomes a living structure that embodies the concepts it conveys. By integrating material, form, and spiritual essence, his work offers a multi-layered experience that transcends the written word, reshaping how we perceive both language and art.

 

Born into a family of tent-makers in Mecca, Al Salem spent much of his early life near the Haram Al-Sharif, constantly surrounded by the spiritual energy of the holy city. His formative years fostered a deep connection to calligraphy, leading him to pursue formal training in the sacred space of the Haram. Although calligraphy was not yet recognized as a professional pursuit in Saudi Arabia, Al Salem studied architecture at Umm Al-Qura University, where he developed a unique approach to blending architectural principles with the art of calligraphy.

 

Influenced by his heritage and the nomadic traditions of his family, Al Salem’s work often incorporates elements of complex conceptual experiments, tent-making, architecture, and the shifting forms of modern life in Saudi Arabia, especially in relation to the country’s oil history and rapid transformation. His practice is a meditation on modernity, bridging ancient traditions with the evolving landscape of contemporary culture.

Works
Biography
Nasser Al Salem

Nasser Al Salem (b. 1984, KSA) is a conceptual visual artist and calligrapher. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Um Al-Qura University, Mecca, KSA, and an ‘Ijaza’ certificate in Calligraphy from Haram Al-Sharif, Mecca, KSA.

 

Al Salem’s solo exhibitions include: "Edge of Language," Athr Gallery, Riyadh, KSA (2025); "Calligraphy Biennale," Sharjah Museum, Sharjah, UAE (2024); "There After," curated by Maya el-Khalil, Nomad St. Chesa Planta, Switzerland (2020); "There After," Casa Arabe, Madrid, Spain (2020); "There After," Delfina Foundation, London, UK (2019); "State of Affairs," Solo Project, Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2016); "Light (Noor)," Sharjah Museum, Sharjah, UAE (2015); and "And It Remains...," Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2012).

 

He has participated in numerous group exhibitions including: "Fan AlMamlaka Exhibition," Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2024); "Endangering Form," Rasif Studio, Riyadh, KSA (2024); "Between Two Cultures," Rasif Studio, Riyadh, KSA (2024); "Islamic Art Biennale," Jeddah, KSA (2023); "Brand New Ancients," Misk Foundation, Riyadh, KSA (2023); "IMAGE? The Power of the Visual," Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, Canada (2022); "Breaking Boundaries," Firetti Contemporary, Dubai, UAE (2022); "Light upon Light," NoorRiyadh, Riyadh, KSA (2021); "The Secrets of Alidades," curated by Fabien Danesi, Jeddah, KSA (2021); "Scripts and Calligraphy: A Timeless Journey," National Museum, Riyadh, KSA (2021); "Calligraphy and Abstraction," Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2021); "Maan," Athr Gallery, Virtual Exhibition, KSA (2020); "Desert X AlUla," AlUla, KSA (2020); "Winter at Tantora," AlUla, KSA (2019); "L’écriture dans l’art," Fondation Boghossian, Villa Empain, Brussels, Belgium (2019); "Manamat Al Gossaibi," Manama, Bahrain (2019); "Nomadic Traces: The Journeys of Arabian Scripts," Warehouse 421, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2019); "Out of Place," Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2019); "Long, Winding Journeys, Contemporary Art and the Islamic Tradition," Katonah Museum of Art, New York, USA (2018); "An American City: Eleven Cultural Exercises," Front Triennial, Cleveland, USA (2018); "Refusing to Be Still," 21,39, Jeddah, KSA (2018); "Through the Spectrum," Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2018); "The Clock Strikes Thirteen," curated by Maya el-Khalil, Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2018); "Safar," 21,39, Jeddah, KSA (2017); "Letters to a Young Muslim," Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2017); "The Saudi Cultural Exhibition," New Manege Museum, Moscow, Russia (2017); "Mab’ooth Almater," Al Hangar, Jeddah, KSA (2016); "Earth and Ever After," curated by Hamza Serafi, 21,39, Jeddah, KSA (2016); "Islamic Art Now: Contemporary Art from the Middle East," LACMA, Los Angeles, USA (2015); "Fast Forward," Jeddah 21,39, KSA (2015); "Triplicity," Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2015); "Common Grounds," curated by Verena Hein, Villa Stuck Museum, Munich, Germany (2015); "Jmeel Prize," Sharjah Museum, Sharjah, UAE (2015); "Basm alla Exhibition," Al Hangar, Jeddah, KSA (2015); "WORD AND ILLUMINATION," Le Meridien Medina Hall, Madinah, KSA (2014); "The Language of Human Consciousness," Athr Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2014); "Past Tradition," Exhibit 320, New Delhi, India (2014); "Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Mecca," Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France (2014); "Jmeel Prize," Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK (2014); "Moallaqat," 21,39 Jeddah Arts, Jeddah, KSA (2014); "Words & Illumination," in collaboration with the British Museum, Madinah, KSA (2013); "Hajj: The Journey Through Art," Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar (2013); "Echoes of Islam," Nelson Atkins Museum, Kansas City, USA (2013); "Calligraffiti," Leila Heller Gallery, New York, USA (2013); "Against the Grain," KAP, Kuwait (2013); "Show of Faith," KATARA, Doha, Qatar (2013); "Mostly Visible," Jeddah, KSA (2013); "Hajj: Journey To The Heart of Islam," The British Museum, London, UK (2012); "Made in Makkah," Artspace, London, UK (2012); "We Need To Talk," Edge of Arabia, Jeddah, KSA (2012); "Collage/Assemblage Exhibition," Athr Gallery in collaboration with Cuadro Fine Arts Gallery, Jeddah, KSA (2011); "Kingdom Calligraphers," Fine Art House, Jeddah, KSA (2009); "Makkah Literature Club," Mecca, KSA (2008).

 

Al Salem has participated in several notable residencies, including the ETH Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, Switzerland (2019); the Delfina Foundation, London, UK (2018, 2017); Jusoor, Ithra, New York, USA (2017); and Samir Sayegh Studio, Jeddah, KSA (2014).

His work has garnered numerous awards and recognitions, including the Al Burda Endowment Exhibition Debut in Abu Dhabi, UAE (2019); a nomination for the Prudential Eye Awards (2015); and being shortlisted for the Jameel Prize (2013). He also won second prize in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Calligraphy competition (2010) and first prize in the largest mural in Makkah, KSA (2009), as well as first prize in Arabic Calligraphy & Fine Arts at the Children’s Museum, Jeddah, KSA (2009).

 

In addition, Al Salem has been commissioned by several high-profile entities, including King Faisal Hospital, Riyadh, KSA (2019); the Royal Commission of Al-Ula, Al-Ula, KSA (2018); Ithra, King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, Dahran, KSA (2013); BASMOCA, Jeddah, KSA (2013); and King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, KSA (2012).

 

His works are held in the public collections of Ithra, King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, Dahran, KSA; Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, UAE; Centre Pompidou, Paris, France; The British Museum, London, UK; Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), LA, USA; Greenbox Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Mukhmal Tower, Jeddah, KSA; National Commercial Bank Corporate Collection, Jeddah, KSA; Al Mansouria Foundation, Jeddah, KSA; and Shaikh Ebrahim Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research, Manama, Bahrain.

 

Al Salem currently lives and works in Riyadh, KSA.