Over 10,000 residents call the DQ home. Meet Your Neighbor profiles interesting people in our international DQ Community. Learn about the diverse experience, interests, and backgrounds of DQ dwellers. Read on, and Meet Your Neighbor.
Tell us about yourself and what brought you to the DQ?
My name is Maria Prats, but everybody calls me Maru. I am from Barcelona, Spain. I have been in Riyadh for al- most nine years and I paint both abstract, or, Saudi inspired painting. I also do Spanish lessons, both private and at the Prince Sultan University, as well. I came following my husband when he had an offer at STC.
How did you get started in doing art?
When I was 17, I took my first painting courses to pre- pare myself for the Fine Arts University exam, which is very difficult in Spain. Eventually, I ended up studying Economics because my parents didn’t approve of me pursuing an art degree, but I always painted and as soon as I started working. I somehow took some free time off to dedicate myself to painting. I did my first solo exhibition when I was working in the UN in Vienna, it was then when I started to do art more professionally.
Can you tell us how did you adjust from your life from Spain to Saudi Arabia?
Actually, it was quite easy. The first months were a bit of a cultural shock, but the good thing is that the expats community is so helpful. If you join different WhatsApp groups, you get tips from everybody. Where are the doctors that speak Spanish or English, where you can find this kind of cheese from Spain, etc.
Most of the expats were just like me struggling at the beginning but eventually they were all very eager to help and give advice. So I think the solidarity among the expats was great in helping me transition.
When you have visitors in Saudi, where will you take them?
I absolutely tell them they have to go to the Diriyah, the Masmak Fort and the Edge of the World. If they are here for a longer period of time, I always recommend them to visit Alula or the Red Sea – these are or me, a must-visit.
Tell us about your career as an artist in Riyadh?
In the beginning, I simply had my webpage and paint- ed regularly. I started participating in solo and group exhibitions, and selling my paintings in some compouds that conduct coffee mornings. Later on, I had the opportunity to be part of a group of artists here called ‘Synergy’ – and with them, I was able to take part in group exhibitions in Riyadh, Jeddah Dubai, Milan, and Barcelona. In the last two years I have also done solo exhibitions in the DQ at the Spanish and Lebanese ambassadors’ residences.
What do you like most about the DQ?
In the four years that I have been living in the DQ, the best thing for me is the big and diverse community. With all the different groups and cultures, there is always something new happening that can be an enriching experience.
As an artist, do you have any advice for any up and coming artists who are also here in Riyadh looking to advance their talent?
For the past years, Saudi Arabia has been opening to the world of art and there is a growing interest in it. There are so many new galleries and art events, so I suggest to take advantage of them and participate in as many as you like. There, you can get to know people and get connected with like-minded creatives.
What groups, workshops or festivals can you recommend for fellow artists to attend?
If you are already an artist, I would suggest the Misk Foundation. They have a place where you can go and paint, with free models to practice portraiture and they also organize many events, the Design Week, the Art Week, and through them one can get, lots of information about other events.
Follow Maru’s art on Instagram:
