MA Fine Art | Central Saint Martins (2021)
BA Art & Design, Entrepreneurship | Northeastern University (2017)
Ziad Kaki’s (born in 1993, Saudi Arabian artist, based in London, United Kingdom) paintings are characterized by intense colors, ones that create artificial effects within the figures. Earlier works focused on thermal imaging and abstractions of the background. Inspired by the idea of reverse orientalism in the Middle East and the human figure, the paintings have evolved into staged, cinematic screenshots. By integrating various humans within the paintings, he directs a scene, filled with emotions, and leaves the viewer to decide what has transpired. He takes a step towards depicting the female body in an elegant and honorable way, something that has not occurred often in Saudi Arabian art.
Kaki is inspired by the effects of a camera lens, and how technology has impacted both the artists and the audience. He depicts animalistic qualities inherent in humans and integrates historical symbols to suggest additional elements in the works. He intends to reveal something that is still undiscovered. Kaki creates a moment in between two worlds, an apocalyptic, mysterious setting. Growing up between Saudi and the Western world, Kaki portrays himself in the middle of two worlds. He depicts the contemporary cultural evolution of Saudi Arabia, as he sees it as a native and a foreigner.
Kaki’s latest exhibition, Cinematic Expressions at Mariane Ibrahim in Paris, has developed more of a nomadic feeling, but with all the subjects moving towards one congregation. Kaki graduated with a BA in Art and Design from Northeastern University, Boston, USA, in 2017, and an MFA in Painting from Central Saint Martins in London, United Kingdom, in 2021. He was a 2021 Saudi artist in residence at the Berlin Art Institute in collaboration with Misk Art Institute, and his work has been exhibited at recent group shows at the Berlin Art Institute, Gallery Rosenfeld in London, and Athr Gallery in Saudi Arabia.