3D Graffiti competition attracts Saudis

A 3D graffiti competition that started on Jan. 25 at Read Sea Mall is expected to finish and announce its winners this Friday. As part of the Jeddah Shopping Festival, the Arabic Company for Events and Projects organized the event in cooperation with artist Fatima Baazeem. The event has already dragged a large group of Saudi young men, who found in it a way to practice their hobby. Dua Thabi, one of the organizers, said that they came up with the idea of having a 3D graffiti competition as part of the Jeddah festival as well as offering a place where youngsters can practice their skills. “We wanted young men to do some artwork, especially as they are usually not allowed into the mall.” According to Thabi, the competition started with 15 youngsters, but this number increased to 40 3D graffiti artists, some of them professionals who also draw on the ground. Mutaz, a-28-year-old Saudi participant, said that in recent years they had been given more opportunities to show their skills and talents to the public. “I have been doing paintings for 13 years, but only recently we got the chance to exhibit our work. Previously, I was very limited and I would draw for myself.” Mutaz said that as teenagers, he and his friends would draw for fun. “We would draw in public, but we were not comfortable, because graffiti was banned. I then started practicing inside home, but now we get the chance to expose our work and even make business out of it by painting in houses and shops.” Fatima Baazeem, artist and member of the organizing team, said that they had been organizing this competition for three years. However, this was the first time they limited it to 3D graffiti. There are different age groups involved in the competition starting from 18 years old and above. Baazeem added that they wanted to expand this experience to different areas of Jeddah to contribute in beautifying the city. “We opt to find a place for the youth to reveal their talents, practice and improve their skills.”