Reviving Traditional Islamic Miniature Techniques in the Works of Contemporary Saudi Female Artists

Abstract

This study aims to explore the experiences of Saudi female artists who have drawn on the traditional techniques of Islamic miniature art to produce contemporary artworks. It also seeks to shed light on ttheir efforts and roles in preserving the identity of contemporary Islamic art through the revival of this authentic cultural heritage. The study employs a descriptive-analytical approach, focusing on a sample of Saudi female artists selected for the diversity and distinctiveness of their artistic practices over the past twenty years. Interviews were used as a tool to explore each artist’s creative approaches, whether in technique, expressive style, or conceptual engagement with topics. This study is significant in highlighting the importance of reconsidering Islamic miniatures within the contemporary art context and in promoting the value of traditional techniques among visual art students and artists. The study concludes by identifying the key materials and traditional techniques used in Islamic miniature painting, both in terms of tools and coloring methods, and examined how contemporary Saudi female artists have approached and reinterpreted them in their work. The findings revealed the substantial role these artists play in preserving Islamic and Saudi cultural identity through the application of traditional miniature techniques in contemporary art.