Dr Effat Abdullah Fadag
Dr. Effat Abdullah Fadag is a Saudi artist, curator, and associate professor of fine arts based in Jeddah. A key figure in the early visual art movement for Saudi women, Dr. Fadag has played a pioneering role in shaping the Kingdom’s contemporary art discourse since the 1980s. Her multidisciplinary practice and academic leadership have positioned her at the intersection of art, science, technology, and education.
She holds a BA in Islamic Art from King Abdulaziz University and an MA and PhD in Fine Art from the University of Kent, UK. Her doctoral research, Saudi Arabian Painting: The Problem of Rapid Modernization and Its Effect on Contemporary Art, examines the influence of modernization on cultural identity and visual expression in the Kingdom. This foundation continues to inform her curatorial and pedagogical approaches.
Dr. Fadag’s practice centers on critical inquiry and cross-disciplinary exploration. In 2010, she founded Naqsh Art Studio, an independent space in Jeddah dedicated to creative experimentation and dialogue. The studio brings together students, scholars, and artists to engage with contemporary art through an educational lens—merging Islamic and Western art philosophies.
Her curatorial portfolio includes collaborations with institutions such as King Abdulaziz University, KAUST, the Saudi Art Council, Misk Art Institute, and the Royal Commission of AlUla. She has also served as a consultant for international and regional institutions on matters of cultural strategy, education, and program development.
In academia, Dr. Fadag has led significant initiatives in curriculum design, accreditation, and research mentorship across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. She served as Chair of the Islamic Art Department and later as Dean of the School of Design and Architecture at Dar Al-Hekma University. She has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral theses, and her published work in art history and fine art contributes to the growing field of contemporary Arab visual culture.
With a career that bridges education, research, and curatorial practice, Dr. Effat Fadag continues to shape the cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia—amplifying new voices while deepening critical engagement with the region’s artistic heritage.
