Abdullah Al Jahdhami (Shaweesh), 35, Artist
What got you into your job? tell us your story
In 2007, I asked my younger brother to teach me Photoshop. I wanted to create digital graffiti and share it on Facebook. Afterwards, I explored more about design software to realise my ideas online. I had no idea what I was doing or why, but it was exhilarating.
In 2010, while studying mechanical engineering at Jubail Industrial College, I helped college clubs with their designs and managed my social media accounts. One day, an old friend contacted me. H: he had a high-class client interested in buying one of my works. It was the first time I printed and sold my creations. Motivated by this, I decided to drop one semester and explore this opportunity further. I, and it proved successful. At that time, I wasn't yet aware I was making ART. Later, while browsing online about Banksy, I discovered a local gallery website and saw the work of Abdulnasser Gharem. He, who would later become my mentor, friend, and the older brother I never had.
In 2012, the London Olympics began. It was the first time Saudi women participated. One that caught my attention was the Saudi runner Sara Attar, who finished last. M, and many in the audience clapped for her until she crossed the finish line. This, which motivated me to make my first artwork. After that, I was contacted by Stephen Stapleton from Edge of Arabia. He asked if I could be part of their upcoming show in London. And that was my first participation in an exhibition and the beginning of my art career.
Following my first exhibition, I began working as a graphic designer and later became an art director at Telfaz11, all while developing and pursuing my career as an artist. Over the years, I exhibited my work in various countries, including the US and the UK, with Gharem Studio.
In 2018, my artwork (The Last Jedi), which I produced in 2013, gained national attention when the Ministry of Education mistakenly published it in a social studies and nationalism book used in Saudi high schools. This unexpected publicity became the highlight of my life.
Now, in 2026, after a beautiful 10 years with Gharem, I have my own studio in Riyadh, inside the Enchanted Art Centre, owned by my wife, Amani, and her sister, Fatmah. The studio is dedicated to my experimental and collaborative projects. Working on these projects and moving forward with what I started keeps me inspired every day.
What was your style like as a teenager? and was there a defining moment in your younger life that shaped the way you dress?
Weekly shopping with my mom always felt like an adventure through clothing aisles. I learned to mix and match by watching her choose outfits and asking for my input, shaping my style from diverse influences. I drew inspiration from cartoons, movies, and bold musicians like Omarion and Marques Houston from 'You Got Served,' Omran from Outlandish, Craig David, and AJ McLean from Backstreet Boys. My favourite memory, though, is when my mom let me choose an entire outfit by myself at age twelve in the colourful world of UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON.
How has your upbringing influenced the way you see fashion?
My upbringing taught me to balance discipline and self-expression through fashion. My mother valued presentation, showing me that clothing reflects personality and intention. However, strict school dress codes enforced traditional ideas of masculinity, discouraging boys from dressing up. These rules made me realise that fashion is about more than appearance; it’s also a form of social control and reflects society’s views. Even small choices, like layering clothes in winter, became ways to subtly express individuality.
What was the first thing you ever created that felt ‘right’?
Deciding to have my own studio.
Tell us a proud moment in your career?
When I left my job in 2024, I worried I might lose my routine and end up less busy, which I didn’t want. But I soon saw that my year was packed. I took part in two art fairs, two group shows, and even had a solo show, all in less than one year.. I felt proud of what I achieved.
Where does your process begin when you’re developing something new?
I like to work in a space where sincerity and scepticism can exist together. So my process often begins with something that feels naive, but is revisited with full awareness.
What do you want your audience to feel when they experience your vision?
I’m not looking for the audience to settle on one interpretation. What interests me more is creating a moment where things feel familiar but also a bit strange. There’s something recognisable, but also a quiet sense of discomfort. That space matters to me because it lets people question what they see without turning away from it. If anything, I hope my work encourages people to pause between belief and doubt, so they can think about their own connection to these images and their origins.
What does success look like for your art in the future? What are your dream projects?
Honestly, I do not have one fixed idea of success. My dreams keep changing. Every day, I seem to have a new one. Maybe that is just part of who I am. What matters to me is to keep moving. I want to keep making and keep finding new forms for the work.
Advice you would give someone starting out in the industry?
If you have an idea and it feels ready, make it. Don’t wait long once the idea has taken shape. People who truly understand the work are not only looking at production quality, clean design, or technical perfection. They also look at what you were able to make with the tools, limits, and conditions available at that moment. That is where the real life of the work is.
The idea comes first, but it only becomes real through execution. That is why it is important not to delay for too long, and not to let the dream of perfection stand in the way of making the work. In today’s world, speed beats strength.
What references influence you outside of art & fashion?
Definitely music