Uncovering hidden meanings with Saudi artist Lulwah Al-Homoud

Uncovering hidden meanings with Saudi artist Lulwah Al-Homoud
Lulwah Al-Homoud's work is rooted in geometry, Arabic calligraphy, and deep spiritual reflection. (Supplied)
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Uncovering hidden meanings with Saudi artist Lulwah Al-Homoud

Uncovering hidden meanings with Saudi artist Lulwah Al-Homoud
  • The Saudi artist talks spirituality, geometry, and creating a new visual language

DUBAI: Despite her love for art, Lulwah Al-Homoud didn’t set out to be an artist. But last month her work — rooted in geometry, Arabic calligraphy, and deep spiritual reflection — was on display at one of Europe’s most cutting-edge digital art events.

The Saudi artist was featured at this year’s edition of The Digital Art Mile in Basel, Switzerland, (which ran alongside Art Basel) presented by the Sigg Art Foundation.

Her featured work comes from her series “The Language of Existence” — a reimagined Arabic alphabet that uses geometric patterns inspired by Islamic art.

“I created different geometric shapes assigned to each letter,” Al-Homoud says. “I kind of created a new language that cannot be read, but can be felt more.”

“The Language of Existence” is a perfect representation of Al-Homoud’s work in general. “I was always drawn to calligraphy and Islamic geometry — we all see these beautiful (writings) and patterns, but we don’t know the meaning behind them,” she says.

It was while pursuing her master’s in arts at London’s Central Saint Martins that Al-Homoud really began to dig into that meaning, studying geometry and calligraphy inspired by Islamic art and learning how they were developed over centuries by different cultures.

Her path to that master’s was not straightforward. “I was always an artist inside — always drawing portraits and landscapes — but I wanted to have a career,” she says. “My family, especially wanted me to be a woman who has a career and who helps her society and all that.” She gained a bachelor’s degree in sociology, and — in the late Nineties — began studying visual communication design in London before moving on to her master’s.

Al-Homoud began her working life curating exhibitions for Middle Eastern artists and calligraphers in London, something that helped her discover her own artistic voice.

“When I learned about the sophisticated ideas behind Islamic art and geometry, I said, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ Because I felt that it was more of a universal language and it’s also where art and science meet,” she says. “I felt I wanted to do something with meaning.

“I wasn’t thinking of exhibiting my work at all, but someone discovered my sketches and said, ‘Your work is great. You have to show it.’ And that’s where it all began,” she adds.

Despite that initial encouragement, Al-Homoud says it wasn’t easy to establish herself as an artist in London in the early 2000s. Partly because people often made assumptions about her before even talking to her, based on her ethnicity and religion.

“When I did exhibitions, they would come and ask me the wrong questions — they wouldn’t look at the art and relate to it,” she says. “It took time for people to realize that artists speak a universal language. Art really brings people together, while the world (wants to impose) divisions and categorization.”

While her art may have universal appeal, it is also heavily inspired by Al-Homoud’s personal beliefs.

“I (learned about) and met a lot of people in the art field who were using this calligraphy and geometry,” she says. “I feel this kind of art really reflects your spirituality more than any other, and this is the reason why Muslim artists kept doing it for all these years,” she says. “That’s why people say (that creating) it feels peaceful.”

Al-Homoud is also focused on helping the next generation of the Kingdom’s artists. She has founded an art center in Riyadh called Isdar, dedicated to teaching fine art and printing and to inspiring young artists.

“I feel it’s my time now to give. I had an experience that wasn’t that easy — it’s much easier now for artists in . But you need to educate them to be good artists, not just artists,” she says. “When you come to our space, you see me as a collector, as an educator, as an artist, and as a curator. I’m hoping to have a small museum in the future as well.”

Al-Homoud urges aspiring artists to be patient, and to be honest about their abilities and goals. And, most importantly, she says, “Stay humble. One of the greatest things I have learned from studying Islamic art is to be humble, no matter how successful or how big your name is.”


Elie Saab blends 19th-century romance with red carpet precision in fall couture

 Elie Saab blends 19th-century romance with red carpet precision in fall couture
Updated 10 July 2025

Elie Saab blends 19th-century romance with red carpet precision in fall couture

 Elie Saab blends 19th-century romance with red carpet precision in fall couture

PARIS: Elie Saab, the Lebanese designer long favored on the red carpet, returned to familiar territory on Wednesday, with fall haute couture — and did so unapologetically.

In Paris, fashion insiders gathered among marble columns as models descended a gilded stone staircase to the strains of harpsichord music, setting the tone for a collection steeped in historical romance.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saab leaned into his signature codes: sumptuous velvets, gowns gathered at the back, and pearl and jewel-adorned chokers. Floral appliques — another hallmark — blossomed, anchoring the collection in the femininity that has defined the house for decades.

This was a particularly thoughtful collection, evoking romantic silhouettes from the turn of the 19th century in Europe. The soft draping and historical references gave the show a sense of emotional depth beyond its surface opulence.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Macaron hues — nude, rose pink, water blue, and mint — punctuated by imperial black and gold, set off bold blooms across brocade and print, infusing the collection with romantic vibrancy. Among the standout pieces were gowns with cascading trains and bejeweled details, encasing the body in a kind of luxurious cage.

Saab said the collection — dubbed “The New Court” — was “a sumptuous playground for the modern queen — one who plays by her own rules.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Though luxury and opulence may be Saab’s well-trodden path, he showed that consistency remains its own form of artistry.

Saab’s couture is less about surprise and more about control — control of silhouette, embellishment, and fantasy. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

If the show felt familiar at times, it was also undeniably polished — a standout collection that reminded audiences why Saab’s world of embellished escapism continues to resonate.

It’s a formula that keeps Hollywood coming back. Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Charlize Theron, Emmanuelle Béart, Sophie Marceau, Beyoncé, Maggie Cheung and Diane Kruger have all stepped onto the world’s biggest stages in Saab’s gowns — a testament to a house where fantasy and glamour are always in season.


Recipes for Success: Chef Tomlin George Graham offers advice and a tasty jerk chicken recipe

Recipes for Success: Chef Tomlin George Graham offers advice and a tasty jerk chicken recipe
Updated 10 July 2025

Recipes for Success: Chef Tomlin George Graham offers advice and a tasty jerk chicken recipe

Recipes for Success: Chef Tomlin George Graham offers advice and a tasty jerk chicken recipe

DUBAI: Chef Tomlin George Graham began his career 16 years ago, but his love for cooking started long before that — at home in Jamaica. Graham was raised in a family where recipes and techniques were passed down through generations, and he discovered his passion for food early.  

Graham’s career has taken him across the globe, from working for Carnival Cruise Line in the US to leading kitchens in Qatar and serving as a private chef to the governor general at King’s House in Jamaica. He also played a key role in opening a Jamaican restaurant in Qatar.  

He is now based in the UAE, serving as head chef at Ting Irie, which has branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and bills itself as the country’s first Jamaican restaurant and lounge. 

When you started out, what was the most common mistake you made?  

Not following recipes in the proper order. The end results were always less than ideal, but, honestly, also quite amusing. 

 What’s your top tip for amateur chefs? 

Taste frequently while cooking. It helps you understand how flavors are formed and will also help you become experienced at adjusting herb and spice amounts. Also, keep an open mind and soak up as much knowledge as you can from other cooks. 

What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish? 

Garlic. It’s rich and aromatic and it can be used in multiple forms — raw, sautéed, roasted, powdered or fermented — at different cooking stages.  

 What’s your favorite cuisine or dish to order?  

I actually tend to dine out to find inspiration for my dishes. Exploring different cuisines keeps my palette fresh and can spark creative ideas in the kitchen. Japanese cuisine, in particular, is a treasure trove. The clean but complex flavors, the seasonal ingredients, the care in presentation… it always inspires me. 

What’s your go-to dish if you must cook something quickly at home? 

Fried chicken is a true delight. It hits all the right notes. It’s crispy, savory, juicy, and incredibly satisfying. The contrast between the crunchy, seasoned crust and the tender, flavorful meat is almost irresistible.  

What customer behavior most annoys you? 

I’m doing something I love, so I don’t usually get annoyed. However, customers being disrespectful or aggressive makes it harder for everyone to do their job. Customers who misunderstand their dietary restrictions can also be tricky to navigate. For instance, someone might say they’re a strict vegetarian, but then mention they eat fish — implying that they’re actually a pescatarian. 

What’s your favorite dish to cook? 

I have a few: Caribbean-style curried goat, jerk chicken and roasted fish. Each one carries unforgettable flavors, but also memories of home, family gatherings, the people I love and the moments we’ve shared together. For me, food is much more than nourishment; it’s a way of staying connected to my roots, my culture and the ones who matter the most. And that’s part of the reason why we also integrated those dishes into the Ting Irie menu. 

What’s the most difficult dish for you to get right?  

With any dish, it’s all about understanding the ingredients and how they work together. Once you get that, following the recipe becomes second nature. For me, pâté is challenging. It requires precise technique, delicate ingredients like liver or foie gras, and a time-consuming preparation process. Traditional pâtés often involve curing, baking and resting over several days.  

As a head chef, what are you like? Are you a disciplinarian? Do you shout a lot? Or are you more laid back? 

I run my kitchen with discipline and intensity. I believe a kitchen, much like the military, relies on structure, clear communication and accountability. I might raise my voice when necessary — but it’s never out of ego; it’s to uphold standards and keep the team focused during high-pressure moments. There is a deep camaraderie that forms when you’re creating under pressure, and I make sure that passion and pride are always part of the process. 

Chef Tomlin’s jerk chicken  

Ingredients

Whole chicken - 1500g 

Pimento -20g  

Scotch bonnet-10g 

Cinnamon powder -5g 

Ginger -15g 

Fresh thyme-20g 

Escallion-15g 

Garlic-10g 

White onion-10g 

Soya sauce-10ml 

Chicken spice -10g 

White vinegar -15ml 

Method: 

Remove the tail from the chicken, then cut the chicken in half vertically, having the breast, wing, thigh and leg on each half. 

Wash the chicken and set it aside  

Measure all herbs and spice and set them aside  

Wash the thyme, escallion, garlic, ginger, white, onion, scotch bonnet and add them all to a blender with 15g of pimento, 15g thyme, soya sauce, chicken spice, cinnamon and blend for 1 minute. 

Add the blended mixture to the cut chicken and gently rub and marinate the chicken until it is fully coated (for the best taste, leave to marinate for at least 24 hours before cooking). 

On the grill turn on medium heat, add the remaining 5g pimento, 5g thyme and add the chicken on grill for smoking. Close the grill and let the chicken smoke.  

Turn the chicken every 15 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. 

Serve with sides of your choice. 


REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ — new trio fail to match chemistry of 1993 original’s heroes

REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ — new trio fail to match chemistry of 1993 original’s heroes
Updated 10 July 2025

REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ — new trio fail to match chemistry of 1993 original’s heroes

REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ — new trio fail to match chemistry of 1993 original’s heroes

BEIRUT: The latest installment of the ‘Jurassic World’ franchise promises a rebirth. It does not deliver.  

The film introduces a brand-new trio — covert operative Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), paleontologist Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), and Zora’s former comrade Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali). Each brings a unique skill set as they embark on a mission to secure genetic material from three dinosaurs (one land-based, one water-based, one avian) hidden on a remote island. Along the way, they rescue a shipwrecked family. 

For the first time in years, the franchise moves away from the moral conundrums of a dinosaur-inhabited planet and returns to the contained sanctity—and danger—of an isolated island. So visually, at least, this does feel like a rebirth of the Spielberg-isms we've come to recognize. When the mood calls for awe, director Gareth Edwards’ blocking and framing work in harmony to highlight the grandeur of the dinosaurs, positioning our heroes in a humbling, almost subservient stance within this ‘alien’ world. It also nails the claustrophobic intensity required for a thriller, capturing the tension and tight pacing essential to the genre. 

Where the film falls short of its “rebirth” promise is the script, which doesn’t come close to the charm of the 1993 classic. The original trio were distinct, memorable, and full of personality. Spielberg’s attention to detail had us invested from the beginning. 

This script, written by David Koepp, doesn’t hit those same heights. It leans too heavily on formula, and the comedic beats often miss their mark.  

That said, all is not lost. With such a strong and diverse trio at its center, there’s real potential to breathe life into this rebirth. Johansson, Bailey, and Ali are all powerhouse actors, and if the series can make full use of their abilities then it might — might — be able to ignite the fresh spark it's been needing all these years.  

While the cultural and artistic value of rebooting popular franchises is up for debate, the reality is clear: they are here to stay. So filmmakers must use what worked before to its fullest potential and must also let the technological advancements propel the story in ways it could not have previously. That hasn’t happened here.  


Fashion Commission launches guide to protect designers’ rights in

Fashion Commission launches guide to protect designers’ rights in
Updated 09 July 2025

Fashion Commission launches guide to protect designers’ rights in

Fashion Commission launches guide to protect designers’ rights in
  • Guide serves as a reference for designers to benefit from intellectual property laws by protecting and registering their innovative designs
  • Promotes a culture of creativity, encouraging designers to develop new creations while safeguarding their rights against imitation or theft

RIYADH: ’s Fashion Commission has launched the Intellectual Property and Designers’ Rights Protection Guide for the fashion industry, in collaboration with the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property.

The initiative reinforces the commission’s role in empowering the fashion sector, supporting its community and fostering a developmental environment across all stages of the product value chain.

The guide serves as a reference for designers to benefit from intellectual property laws by protecting and registering their innovative designs, enabling them to secure legal protection, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It also promotes a culture of creativity, encouraging designers to develop new creations while safeguarding their rights against imitation or theft.

The guide covers four key areas in the fashion industry: Patents, which include new inventions and technological advancements in fabric and garment production; and industrial designs, which pertain to aesthetic elements and decorative patterns that give fashion items their distinctive appearance.

It also covers copyright, which protects artistic and creative outputs such as illustrations, patterns and designs; and trademarks, which include logos and symbols that distinguish a product in the marketplace.

The Fashion Commission said that designers and brand owners can access the guide through its official website.

Additionally, the IP authority receives complaints about violations of copyright and trademark laws from rights holders or their representatives through its website.


Jeddah museum displays 1,000 rare artifacts spanning Islamic history

Jeddah museum displays 1,000 rare artifacts spanning Islamic history
Updated 09 July 2025

Jeddah museum displays 1,000 rare artifacts spanning Islamic history

Jeddah museum displays 1,000 rare artifacts spanning Islamic history
  • First gallery traces the evolution of ceramics and glassmaking from the 1st to the 10th century AH (7th to 16th century)
  • Second gallery highlights Islamic metalworks featuring intricately decorated items and daily-use vessels

JEDDAH: The House of Islamic Arts, the Kingdom’s first museum solely for Islamic art, houses a collection that spans several eras of Islamic civilization.

Located in Jeddah Park, the museum displays over 1,000 artifacts offering insight into Islamic values and the region’s cultural and historical heritage, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The museum includes six galleries, each exploring a distinct facet of Islamic heritage.

The first gallery traces the evolution of ceramics and glassmaking from the 1st to the 10th century AH (7th to 16th century), showcasing pottery, a craft in antiquity that saw major development under Muslim artisans.

The second gallery highlights Islamic metalworks featuring intricately decorated items and daily-use vessels.

The third displays 500 coins from the Prophet Muhammad’s era to modern times, offering a glimpse into the economic history of the Muslim world.

The fourth gallery focuses on the influence of Islamic art on other civilizations and how European cultures engaged with Islamic artistic traditions.

The fifth presents rare Qur’anic manuscripts, Arabic calligraphy pieces and wooden tablets used in Qur’an memorization.

The final gallery showcases Islamic textiles, including pieces from the interior and exterior coverings of the Holy Kaaba and a rare curtain from the Shammi Gate of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, crafted during the Ottoman era in the 13th century AH.

The museum tour ends at the library, which offers a wide selection of Arabic and English books on Islamic history, culture, and literature.