Ahmed Mater

Saudi Arabia | 1979

About Ahmed Mater

Ahmed Mater, a distinguished Saudi artist, physician, and cultural leader, was born in 1979 in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. In 1981, he and his family moved to the village of Rijal Alma in the mountainous Asir region, where he spent his childhood surrounded by a rich traditional environment and local arts. His mother, a traditional Asiri painter, played a significant role in shaping his artistic vision.

In 1998, Mater enrolled at King Khalid University of Abha to study medicine, where he completed his medical degree in 2006. He then began his medical career as a resident physician at Asir Central Hospital.

Mater's artistic journey began in 1999 when he joined the Al-Miftaha Art Village in Abha. There, he received training from prominent artists from Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab world, showcasing his early works in local exhibitions.

In 2003, Ahmed Mater created his first conceptual artworks using X-ray imagery, which quickly gained attention in the art world. One of these pieces was acquired by the British Museum in 2006 and displayed in the exhibition "Word into Art." This success marked a pivotal moment in his career, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary Saudi art.

Throughout his career, Ahmed Mater has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Abha Cultural Award. His works have been featured in major international exhibitions and biennials, including the Sharjah Biennial, the Venice Biennale, and the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

Currently residing and working in Riyadh, Ahmed Mater continues to shape the cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia. His recent projects are "Desert of Pharan" and "Magnetism."