Alia Ahmad b. 1996

Alia Ahmad (b. 1996, Riyadh) is inspired by the industrialised desert of Riyadh, the colours of Sadu textiles, and forms of calligraphy. Through her mediation of Saudi Arabian landscapes, Ahmad creates placid dreamscapes and linear impressions that excavate the connections between memory, time, and space. Utilising her drawings created in specific locations, she focuses on key geological and topographical aspects, such as local flora in a chosen environment. Through Ahmad's use of visual motifs and mark making, her practice veers towards the linguistic, referencing ancestral traditions of reliefs and hieroglyphics.

Ahmad received her Master’s in Fine Art from the Royal College of Art, London, in 2020, and previously completed her BA in Digital Culture from Kings College, London, in 2018. Recent solo exhibitions include Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles (2022); Hafez Gallery, Jeddah (2022); and Gallery BAWA, Kuwait City (2021). Group Exhibitions include White Cube (Online, 2023); Green Family Art Foundation, Dallas (2023); CICA, Vancouver (2023); 21,39, Jeddah Arts, Jeddah (2021); and Design Museum, London (2020), among others.