What happens when you blend together the worlds of interior design and digital art? Well, what you’ll get is something along the lines of the artwork created by Saudi engineer and designer Mona Algwaiz.
She is a digital artist with a special knack for transforming Saudi landscapes, heritage, and architecture into futuristic and livable spaces. Seeing how her work brings to life a reimagined Saudi Arabia, we knew we had to sit down with the artist and tap into her story and vision for the future.
The Inner Mind Of Algwaiz
In conversation with Algwaiz, we uncovered the mind behind the artist. When asked what inspires her, she kept it simple, saying that “nature, cultural elements, art, personal experiences and simply… things around me from daily life” inspire her.
It makes sense because, at her core, her art combines all these elements.
Blending Nature & Architecture
One example is a project she told us about that blended together nature with architecture, a staple of all her designs. “One of the most exciting projects I worked on was a seafront renovation of a marina in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia,” she explained.
For this project, her main design involved using the flowing pattern of sea waves, which allowed the architectural structure to blend seamlessly with the surrounding natural landscape of the sea.
She did the same thing when she blended the open-space concept of an Arabian majlis with the sprawling desert mountainscape of Saudi Arabia. It looked futuristic and showcased the potential of reimagining a classic majlis in a new and modern way while celebrating the Kingdom’s rich natural landscapes.
When it comes to Saudi Arabia, Algwaiz is inspired by her country’s architecture and rich history. That inspiration is expressed in her artwork in many ways, including her use of traditional architectural elements like geometric patterns or arches.
She also incorporates the natural color palette of the desert in many of her designs. Yet, her artwork isn’t just about representing the Kingdom.
Beyond KSA: Placing the Arab World At The Forefront
When talking to Algwaiz, we understood how she made it her mission to use her artwork as a tool to place the Arab world in the global spotlight. “I feel a responsibility to represent Arab culture in AI-designed spaces. I would ensure that the space reflects the diversity within Arab culture by incorporating a range of regional styles and traditions,” said Algwaiz.
The Arab world is a bubbling and thriving aspect of her artwork, and it is expressed in multitudinous ways, whether it is by representing the Arab core culture, including her own re-imagined Ramadan-inspired spaces, or her renditions of unique Arab towns like Morocco’s Chefchaouen, a whole city bathed in azure.
Arab Women & Future Of Tech
When looking at the big picture, Algwaiz represents a very rare segment of Arab society: Arab women taking over the tech art world.
To her, “Arab women are already making significant strides in the tech world,” and she wants to foster the continued growth of their work. She wants to advocate for a push of inclusive practices that include providing platforms for them to showcase their work.
Seeing how she is already making major strides in the field, more women can follow in tow and use her as an inspiration to bring their creativity forward.