Mohammad Alfaraj
البحار عذبة ، دموع الأسماك مالحة
Seas are sweet, fish tears are salty

Art Jameel presents the first institutional solo exhibition of Mohammad Alfaraj, titled ‘Seas are sweet, fish tears are salty.’ Drawing its title from Alfaraj’s writings, the exhibition brings together installations, photography, video works and site-specific commissions that respond to the gardens and outdoor spaces of the Jameel Arts Centre, showcasing the breadth of his evolving multidisciplinary practice.

Alfaraj, who lives and works in the oasis city of Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia, draws much of his source material from the area’s distinctive agricultural landscapes, oral traditions and everyday life, which he expands into universal stories and parables. Often with a touch of humour, his work frequently delves into multispecies narratives, ecological and infrastructural transformation and their impacts on communities of humans and non-humans alike.

Central to Alfaraj’s practice is his use of storytelling, both in written and oral forms. The exhibition follows an intricate arabesque of stories, characters and motifs built along the backbone of his poetry and photographic practice. Across the centre’s indoor and outdoor spaces, recurring motifs such as hands, palm trees and birds weave throughout the exhibition, connecting both the real and imagined worlds of his photography, video, poetry and sculptures. New commissions include a sound installation, video work and a site-specific structure inviting audiences to become storytellers themselves.

About the Artist

Mohammad Alfaraj (b.1993, lives and works in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia) is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans film, photography, sculpture, writing and installation. Growing up in Al-Ahsa, a desert oasis, Alfaraj’s art is deeply influenced by the region’s unique landscapes and traditions. His work often explores the relationship between humans, nature and the environment, drawing inspiration from local stories, oral traditions and everyday life. Alfaraj employs a diverse range of materials, including indigenous elements like palm fronds and dates, as well as found objects and waste, which hold spiritual significance and act as capsules of time and memory.

Alfaraj graduated with a BA in Mechanical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in 2017. His work has been shown in various international solo and group shows, including ‘The Date Fruit of Knowledge’ (2023) at Mennour, Paris; Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah (2023);16th Biennale de Lyon, (2022); Hayy Jameel, (2022); ‘Limbs of the past, offering to the future’ (2021) at Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. He participated in international art residencies including the Delfina Foundation Residency in 2024, the AlUla Art Residency in 2022 and the Can Serrat – International Art Residency, Barcelona in 2019.

Curated by Art Jameel’s Rotana Shaker, Curator at Hayy Jameel. The exhibition gathers works from the Art Jameel Collection, and includes new commissions.

Image: Mohammad Alfaraj, What does the water dream of? But to burst into flames, 2017, film photograph.