Riyadh-based painter and sculptor Nasser Almulhim transforms colour and form into expressive explorations of spirituality, psychology, and human energy, bridging geometric precision with organic intuition.
ESQUIRE: How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Nasser Almulhim: At the core of my practice is a soul constantly seeking to understand its inner world, a continuous movement of energy that stays present, honours intuition, and nurtures the inner child. My work emerges from this internal dialogue.
ESQ: How did growing up in Riyadh and in a traditional family shape your perspective on art and life?
NA: Growing up in Riyadh allowed me to see life through multiple perspectives. The social structures and challenges I navigated became sources of strength rather than limitations. I’ve always believed that profound artistic expression often arises from struggle rather than privilege, and this belief has shaped the honesty and depth of my creative voice. My family, traditions, and cultural roots keep me grounded and inspire me to honour the land and the ancestors who came before me.
ESQ: What inspired your transition from engineering to fine arts? Was there a defining moment that made you realize this was your path?
NA: My path wasn’t shaped by a single moment or turning point. I’ve always loved science, and my fascination with understanding the universe through both scientific and spiritual lenses naturally led me toward an artistic practice. Art became the medium through which I could merge these two worlds and explore their interconnectedness.
ESQ: High Spirits transforms ICD Brookfield Place into an immersive experience, a setting alive with movement and possibility, where colour and form unfold beyond the boundaries of the canvas. What can you tell us about it?
NA: With High Spirits, I wanted to treat colour as something you can walk into and absorb. Painting has always been a way for me to align the inner world with the outer, and in this exhibition that gesture becomes communal. The shapes leave the canvas and move into the same air we breathe. I hope people feel uplifted when they pass through it, a reminder that joy, curiosity, and play still have a place in our daily environments, even in the midst of work and routine.
ESQ: Where do you draw inspiration for your work?
NA: I draw inspiration from the inner self, the natural world, the wisdom of animals, and spiritual practices. These influences guide me to move beyond flat, two-dimensional forms and explore sculpture and physical structures. In doing so, I transform the energy of my paintings into forms that feel alive, works that breathe, expand, and exist with greater freedom.
ESQ: As one of Saudi Arabia’s leading contemporary artists, how do you see the country’s evolving cultural landscape, and what role does art play in these changes?
NA: For the future, I aim to stay humble, uplift my community, collaborate with fellow artists, and continue using my practice as a path of healing, for myself and for others