Bio
Ammar Jiman is a Saudi contemporary artist, educator and architect. Born in Jeddah in 1984. He tends to incorporate traditional techniques into his practice and combines them with a narrative that is related to his lived-in experience as a human who seeks Non-Duality. Ammar’s projects often involve working with palm leaves, experimenting with colours, and incorporating natural dyes and pigments to investigate the concept of culture. He emphasises the fluidity of the boundaries of culture by allowing materials to take freely-formed shapes, as well as exploring art history through the movement and migration of both the natural and the synthetic elements.
CV
Ammar Jiman عمار جي مان
Born in 1984 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Currently enrolled at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.
Education:
2025-2027: MA Material Futures, Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, UK.
2018-2019: Traditional Arts Foundation Certificate, Jameel House of Traditional Arts, Art Jameel & The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
2010-2011: Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language, Level B2, University for Foreigners of Siena, Siena, Italy.
2002-2008: Bachelor of Architecture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Group exhibitions:
2025, Annual BAI Fellows Exhibition, The Berlin Art Institute, Berlin, Germany.
2025, hugging: A Decade of International and Personal Connection, The Berlin Art Institute, Berlin, Germany.
2021, The Secret of Alidades, The Saudi Art Council, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
2019, Contemporary Works of Traditional Art and Design Inspired by Jeddah Historic District, Madina Arts Center, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
2019, Degree Show, Jameel House of Traditional Arts, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Residencies:
2024, The Berlin Art Institute Studio Program in collaboration with Misk Art Institute, Berlin, Germany.
2024, The Intermix Residency, Visual Arts Commission, Ministry of Culture, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
2023, Cité Internationale des Arts in collaboration with Institut Français, Paris, France.
2022, The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts Artist in Residence Programme, AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
Fellowships:
2022, Istikshaf Program, The Goethe Institute, Berlin and Hamburg, Germany.
2022, Mentorship & Guidance Program, Visual Arts Commission. Ministry of Culture, Saudi Arabia.
2019, Navigating The Contemporary Art Scene Program, Hayy Learning, Art Jameel, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Selected press:
Yasser Youssef, “Launching of the "Jeddah Art" exhibition entitled "The Secret of Alidades”” in Al-Bilad newspaper (2021) at LINK
Walaa Haddad, “"Jeddah Art 21,39" exhibition and The Secret of Alidades” in Sayidaty magazine (2021) at LINK
Asharq Al-Awsat: Jeddah, ”Works by 14 artists and designers at the Jameel House of Traditional Arts exhibition” in Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper (2019) at LINK
Bibliography:
Adam Williamson, “Profound Patterns”, UK: Little Wood Books & Squeeze Press LINK
Professional contributions:
2019-2025: Teaching assistant/Tutor, The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
2022-2024: Workshop Instructor, Hayy Jameel, Art Jameel, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
2021-2024: Workshop Instructor, Noor Riyadh, Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
2022: Workshop Instructor, Diriyah Biennale, Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
2021: Workshop Instructor, Saudi Art Council, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Contact details:
www.ammarjiman.com / ammar.jiman@gmail.com / +966544602981