Born: 1993 in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia Currently resides and works: Najran, Saudi Arabia

Fatima Qadah’s journey unfolds through various stages:

Born in 1993 in Khamis Mushait, she grew up in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. She is the eldest daughter among nine children of her father, Saeed Saeed, the Chief Sergeant for the Saudi army, and her mother, teacher Fawzia Nasser Awad.

In 2003, her family relocated to Najran, a city near the Yemeni border. Qadah’s passion for Arabic literature and art began during her childhood and continued to shape her through schooling and teaching.

Graduating from Najran University in 2015 with a degree in the kindergarten department of the Faculty of Education marked a pivotal point. Yet, the Houthi attack on Najran and the Saudi border forced Qadah and her brothers to return to Asir region, specifically to her hometown, Sarat Abidah Rural Province, perched atop the Sarat mountains. The rugged landscapes of this area deeply influenced her artistic vision.

Staying with her uncle, Fahd Qadah, in his home library significantly enriched her understanding of Saudi culture. Her stint at Al-Mujhar newspaper, under her uncle’s guidance, further shaped her artistic perspective, especially as she documented the historical landscape, focusing on architecture and women.

Winning a competition from the Culture and Arts Association of Jeddah in 2020 marked a turning point. The onset of the pandemic led to her series “My Face Does Not See Me,” reflecting her evolving artistic maturity. This period saw the emergence of her unique style, expressing self-reflection through art.

In 2021, she co-presented the exhibition “Fahu Miniy” with artists Rima Taiba and Wad Al-Shahrani at Zawaya Gallery in Jeddah.

Her first book, “Where Do I Start? How I Achieved,” aimed at guiding beginners with her experiences and vision objectively and professionally.

Returning to Najran in 2022, she taught in the province of Bir Askar while also preserving the petroglyphs in the area, unraveling the history of successive civilizations and the emergence of women.

2023 brought another milestone as part of “Ubur,” where Qadah presented her contemporary interpretations of rock drawings in Najran. Utilizing the Ancient South Arabian script “Musnad” as her primary medium, she emphasized the presence, sanctity, and spirituality of women.