Maajed Ahmed, a gifted graffiti artist from Saudi Arabia, has the ability to convert plain walls into mesmerizing displays of color and Arabic typography. Ahmed proudly displays his artistic talent at events like the MDLBeast, the biggest music festival in the Middle East, in contrast to the stereotype of graffiti artists who operate in the shadows. The festival provides a platform for Saudi youth to explore a blend of music, art, and culture.
At the second MDLBeast, Ahmed's graffiti art adorned shipping containers, welcoming thousands of fans to the event. The contrasts between traditional and contemporary styles were expertly caught by his approach, making his artwork a prevalent photo location for festival guests. Delighted to share his culture and heritage with international audiences, Ahmed sees graffiti as a powerful medium for cultural exchange and is mindful of the impact his art can have.
He was reared in the culturally diverse city of Makkah and found his love of art and graffiti when he was a teenager. Inspired by street culture, he developed his own artistic flair, blending conventional Arabic calligraphy with modern graffiti to create what he calls 'calligraffiti.' He added freehand digital illustration to his artistic expression to enable him to produce cutting-edge graffiti and street art works.
Eager to evolve as an artist, Ahmed travelled to Vietnam for a cultural experience, attending art events like the Nam Jam Da Nang Street Art Festival. During his visit, he painted over nine murals in three Vietnamese cities. The majority of his projects have taken place in Dubai, where he is currently based.
Ahmed participated in the Zayed Murals project, honoring the "Year of Zayed" by creating murals with elements of green to symbolize Sheikh Zayed's reforestation efforts. He is also involved in future projects with NEOM and other classified ventures.
Through his art, Ahmed defies the stereotype that graffiti are associated with vandalism, emphasizing its value in enhancing urban environments with color and culture. He also believes that creating graffiti art positively impacts his mental health and keeps him physically active.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture supports graffiti art by launching initiatives and programs and designating specific venues for "street performers" to express themselves. According to Ahmed, Saudi graffiti artists are prominent in the Middle East and North Africa art scene.
