AIDA MURAD
What if life could exceed your wildest dreams? What if you let go of your plans and allowed life to surprise you with joy? That’s exactly what happened to me. In January 2024, I arrived in Riyadh, leaving behind over a decade of running art studios in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Moving to Saudi Arabia was never part of my plan, but here, I found a love for life I had never imagined.
Riyadh embraced me with open arms—the city, its culture, and its people sparked something deep within me. It awakened parts of my spirit I didn’t know were dormant. I was inspired to create A Love Letter to Riyadh, a collection of 27 paintings, 25 of which I painted with my eyes closed. My art became a tribute to the city’s beauty, generosity, and profound sense of community.
The exhibition opened with Kindness, a piece symbolizing the nourishment I received from the warmth of Riyadh’s people. The theme of faith emerged in a series of foggy, colorful works, representing trust in the journey even when the path is unclear. These pieces, like my experience here, taught me to stop worrying about the destination and enjoy the process.
Nature, too, played a vital role. During my walks in the Diplomatic Quarter, I was inspired by the desert landscapes and the trees that lined the streets. I created two pieces using fallen leaves from those trees—a reminder that beauty is often right in front of us.
In conversations with the Ambassador of Thailand, I learned that the heart-shaped leaves I painted with are symbols of peace and growth, qualities I found in abundance in Riyadh. Another cornerstone of the exhibition was Healthy Love. In Riyadh, I discovered a love that nurtures and uplifts. A love I witnessed among families and communities that comes from a pure and solid foundation that allows you to fly from a rooted love.
Love Letter to Riyadh was also an invitation to residents and visitors to rediscover the city’s beauty. The exhibition featured an interactive installation where people could write their own love letters to Riyadh, adding a personal and communal touch. One visitor captured it perfectly: “I have lived in Riyadh my whole life, but your exhibit reminded me of its beauty.”
A Love Letter to Riyadh is a collection that has been showcased at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, and the Forbes Women’s Summit.
With HE Ambassador of Jordan and CEO of Riyad Bank
To those who have never visited Riyadh, I say: come. This city, unlike any other I’ve encountered, is a place of transformation. Riyadh welcomed me, challenged me to grow, and reminded me that sometimes life’s unexpected detours lead to something even better than you could have planned.
My friends, my wish for you with this exhibition are many but primarily, I wish you feel the love vibrating in this city and to remember that life has a way of working out for you, even when it deviates from your plan. Sometimes, it delivers something better than you ever imagined. Riyadh did that for me. Let it do the same for you.
Stay in touch with Aida on Instagram: @muradaida
