Saudi creative Nasser Almulhim (Instagram) combines organic and geometric shapes in his work as he creates 2D and 3D works on his own journey to spiritual healing.
Your creations are immensely rich in colour, is there a story behind this?
I believe I have always been fascinated with the colours around me since when I was a kid. I had always been attracted to saturated colours or the colours of nature, like flowers, the Sun, et cetera and I always asked, since a young age, why all these creatures that I absorb contain those colours? Until now I am wondering and seeking answers, not necessarily normal answers, but psychological ones.
Describe your lightbulb moment. When did you realise you were destined to create art?
When I lived abroad I used to study engineering, and I met people that are very close to my heart, they were all creative, artists, designers, musicians, and whenever we hung out they always told me, “Nasser you a creative soul, you are an artist”. When they visited my space, they saw me painting or playing my guitar and in those moments, and this unique friendship, I realised that I wanted to study something that represented my inner energy, so I decided to change my major and study Fine Art and that was the best decision I have ever made.
The energy behind your work is rooted in how the human psyche perceives it. Talk us through that.
I believe that every action you do, there is a place within our psychological understanding that needs to be faced. Certain colours and shapes touch our energy differently and, through these two elements, I am trying to open this world of self-healing, self-reflecting.
What story are you trying to narrate through sharing your creative practice with the world?
The story of equity, the story of being fully yourself without wearing a mask, the topic of psychology, spirituality and mental health, honouring the feminine and masculine energies within us.
What is your favourite medium to work with?
Pigment, like painting. I do like metal and coloured glass and cement, too.
You’re roaming in an art museum, what section are you exploring for inspiration?
Painters from the 70s – 90s, except pop art.
What is the significance behind your use of shapes?
Shapes are a conversation that I am still trying to understand. But I do believe they contain some very healing energy and that’s why most of my paintings contain shapes. It comes from my subconscious, which I am very interested to know more about, about tackling my inner self, the shadow, letting go and dealing with all the trapped energy within me.
If you were to go back in time and be mentored by one of the Old Masters, who would it be?
Etel Adnan, because she believes in the importance of beauty. Also Hilma Klint for her magical path into spirituality, Matisee, Miro, Kandinsky.
During your university years in Florida, what traditions or objects did you hold on to to stay close to home?
Home is always in my heart whenever I go, but one of the objects that I always have around is بخور (bhour – incense).
When you’re creating in your studio, what is the energy like? Map out your creative space for us.
Very zen energy, I usually smudge my space with sage and palo santo. I play my turntable and listen to music from psychedelic rock to jazz and funk. My studio is so tiny and minimalist and fun.
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