(MENAFN- Global Advertising) At a time when art intersects with the sweeping cultural transformations taking place in Saudi Arabia, international artist Shalimar Sharbatly stands out as one of the most prominent figures in contemporary art — a proud ambassador of Saudi creativity on the global stage.
Her journey did not begin in glamorous galleries or renowned museums, but in a small Cairo studio where a young girl held a paintbrush with innate passion. From there, she carved her path to global recognition, becoming the first Arab female artist to exhibit at the Louvre Museum in Paris, and introducing a groundbreaking concept known as “Moving Art,” where the brush meets metal and color comes alive through motion.
Shalimar Sharbatly is not merely an artist who paints beauty — she is an ambassador of art and humanity. Through her work, she has transformed color into a bridge for cross-cultural dialogue, embodying the artistic and cultural renaissance that defines Saudi Vision 2030, where art has become a pillar of development and civilizational exchange.
In this exclusive interview, Sharbatly reveals details of her artistic journey, her philosophy of art as a way of life and a message to the world, her relationship with the Louvre, her early beginnings, and her reflections on success and the future of Saudi art in an era of profound transformation.
Roots and Beginnings
Q) Have you achieved your artistic dreams, and how did it all begin?
I never mapped out a plan for my dreams — art was never a goal, but rather an emotional state, a calling that accompanied me since childhood. My talent preceded my awareness; it filled my emotions before I even understood ambition.
I never dreamed of painting cars or clothes or reaching Formula events — those moments came naturally, as an organic extension of my honest bond with the brush.
My life, much like my colors, is a beautiful yet deliberate chaos. The only clear dream I ever had was to reach the Louvre. For me, art is not measured by place but by its ability to reach the human soul — and the Louvre represented that universal human dream.
I was born into my mother’s atelier — she was a fine arts graduate — surrounded by the voices of Abdel Halim, Fairouz, and Warda. That’s where my imagination first bloomed. Since picking up the brush at the age of three, I’ve painted the world as I see it — not as others tell me to see it.
My artistic journey began in Cairo at thirteen, when I showed my paintings to the great artist Abdel Aal. Soon after, my picture appeared on the cover of Sabah Al-Khair magazine.
My mother was the first to nurture my talent, and my father was so proud that he told Al-Rajul magazine, “My daughter is a fine artist.” That early support laid the foundation for my artistic identity.
I was also fortunate to meet literary giants like Yusuf Idris, Ihsan Abdel Quddous, Farouk Goweda, and Salah Taher. To them, I was the “little friend,” but they opened my mind to creativity and philosophy, shaping my understanding of art as a way of life, not merely a profession.
The Louvre Museum
Q) Tell us about your participation in the Louvre exhibitions.
Exhibiting at the Louvre Museum in Paris was one of the most defining milestones in my career — not only as a personal achievement, but as a reflection of the new Saudi art movement that has become part of the international creative scene.
It began when a Porsche car I painted was displayed at the main entrance of the Louvre — the first time in the museum’s history that a moving artwork was presented in such a form. In 2015, two of my paintings were selected for exhibition within the museum’s galleries, and my piece “The Kiss” was chosen as one of the official promotional posters — among only ten artists out of more than 450 participants worldwide.
In 2016, the museum showcased my Moving Art series — paintings on porcelain, vases, pillars, and cups — to highlight how art can be integrated into everyday life.
By 2021, I had participated five consecutive times in the Art Shopping exhibition at the Louvre, presenting three new works, one of which was again selected for the official campaign.
For me, these exhibitions are not just personal triumphs — they represent the cultural transformation of Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, where art has become a form of national development and a source of soft power that reflects the Kingdom’s modern identity. Every recognition I receive abroad is, in essence, part of a broader Saudi renaissance that believes creativity is a universal language worthy of our nation’s stature.
From an Idea to a Moving Art Revolution
Q) What inspired you to paint on cars?
It started when I noticed how monotonous cars looked — mostly black, white, or red. I thought: Why can’t cars be moving artworks?
In 2013, I shared the idea with my brother Majid, who owns several car dealerships in Jeddah. He encouraged me to try it using quick-drying duco paint.
My first experiment was a Porsche 911 Carrera, which took about two weeks to complete. I remember playing Abdel Halim’s song “Fatet Ganbina” as I painted — and the result was astonishing: the first art car ever exhibited at the Paris Motor Show in 2014, becoming one of the most viewed cars in the world.
Moving Art: A Message of Beauty and Life
Q) How do you describe the connection between art and cars?
To me, a car isn’t just a mechanical object — it’s a moving canvas that can spread joy and beauty through the streets. God created the world in color, not in black and white — and we should infuse that beauty into our daily lives, whether through cars, fashion, ceramics, or architecture.
The Meaning of Success
Q) What does success mean to you?
“Success, to me, isn’t fame, an award, or fleeting applause — it’s your ability to leave a genuine mark on human consciousness through your work.
A true artist moves people’s emotions, plants an idea, a moment of beauty, or lasting inspiration. Real success is when your art is sincere, born from within, and capable of touching people everywhere.”
Throughout my journey, I’ve never seen art as a profession — it’s a mission and a responsibility. True success is staying faithful to that mission, using your talent to serve humanity and beauty, and remaining close to people no matter how wide your reach becomes.
The brush, when guided by honest feeling, speaks louder than any words.
I never felt I had “arrived.” To me, success means being a good human being — a loving daughter, a devoted mother. I often ask myself: Have I been a good person? That matters more than any award. Real artists don’t thrive on vanity or envy — they thrive on giving, because true art grows only in love, not competition.
The Art Scene in Saudi Arabia
Q) How do you see the current art landscape in the Kingdom?
The Saudi art scene today is living an extraordinary era. What we witness is not just artistic activity, but a cultural transformation aligned with the goals of Vision 2030, which placed culture and the arts at the heart of national development.
Saudi visual art is now experiencing its golden age.
In recent years, we have seen the tangible results of institutional efforts led by the Ministry of Culture and the Visual Arts Commission, which built a comprehensive ecosystem supporting artists through grants, residencies, and major exhibitions such as the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale and the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah.
These initiatives redefined the presence of Saudi artists globally, positioning the Kingdom as a vibrant hub for international artistic dialogue.
Art in Light of Vision 2030
Q) How has Vision 2030 impacted art and society?
Vision 2030 has not only reshaped the economy — it has redefined collective consciousness in Saudi society and opened unprecedented horizons for art.
For the first time, art is recognized as a national, cultural, and economic value, not a luxury. The Vision placed culture at the core of development, giving artists real space to express themselves and contribute to shaping the Kingdom’s new cultural identity.
It has also redefined the artist’s social role — today, Saudi artists are respected voices reflecting the nation’s beauty, values, and transformation. Art has become a tool for building identity, strengthening belonging, and communicating our rich heritage to the world.
I truly believe we are witnessing a cultural renaissance — a “soft revolution” that puts humanity at the center and celebrates creativity as a pillar of Saudi soft power. Every Saudi painting and sculpture now tells the story of a nation reborn — one that looks to the future with confidence and grace.
A Great Artistic Renaissance
Q) What does this artistic revival mean to you personally?
The international recognition I have received is not a personal victory alone — it is part of the larger artistic renaissance unfolding under Vision 2030.
What we are living today is the birth of a new cultural era that places art at the heart of national identity, elevating it as a soft power that reflects Saudi Arabia’s image to the world. Every award, exhibition, and artwork shown abroad carries the voice of the homeland — a message that Saudi Arabia has become a powerful and influential center in the global art scene.
Awards and Honors: A Saudi Brush Crowned with Global Recognition
Shalimar Sharbatly’s artistic career is marked by diversity and international acclaim, earning her a series of prestigious global awards that highlight her pioneering creativity and influence.
The Henri Matisse Award (2019)
In 2019, Sharbatly received France’s Henri Matisse Award, one of the world’s most distinguished art honors, competing among more than 500 artists from 36 countries. The award recognized her innovative style that blends authenticity with modernity — a tribute befitting an artist named after one of the most influential figures in 20th-century art.
Salon d’Automne Honorary Award
In another historic milestone, she became the first Arab woman to win the Grand Honorary Award — Renoir’s Descendant Prize at the 106th edition of Salon d’Automne in Paris — one of the world’s oldest and most respected art exhibitions, which once showcased works by Picasso, Matisse, Rodin, and Gauguin.
Her three original paintings presented at the Salon further solidified her standing as a leading figure in the global contemporary art scene.
The Arab League Award
The League of Arab States also honored Sharbatly with the Creative and Humanitarian Personality Award, in recognition of her role in using art as a bridge for human dialogue and her mission to employ beauty in the service of noble values — enhancing the image of Arab artists in international forums.

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