Safeya Binzagr, a pioneering Saudi Arabian artist, marked a significant milestone in her career in 1968 with her debut exhibit at a girls' school in Jeddah, making her the first woman to publicly showcase her art in the country. The event was attended by a distinguished audience, including Saudi royals and diplomats, although Ms. Binzagr was unable to attend due to societal restrictions on women.
Despite her absence, Ms. Binzagr's impact on the Saudi art scene was profound, as she celebrated her heritage and advanced the role of women in art by starting classes and establishing one of the first art museums in Saudi Arabia. Prominent Emirati writer Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi highlighted her significance, noting that she found ways to depict women in her paintings despite societal prohibitions on showing photographs of them.
Ms. Binzagr passed away on September 12 in Jeddah at the age of 84. Her family did not disclose further details regarding her death.
Her artwork is recognized as one of the earliest efforts to preserve Saudi national heritage through art. In a recent interview, she expressed her passion for history, stating, “Why not write it with my brush?” Her paintings often featured women in traditional settings, capturing daily rituals and communal celebrations that were frequently overlooked in official narratives.
During the 1970s, as Saudi Arabia underwent rapid modernization due to the oil boom, Ms. Binzagr traveled extensively to document the country's diverse culture and architecture. She took hundreds of photographs and collected clothing from various regions, which later inspired her artwork and contributed to her private museum, Al-Dara, established in 1995.
Al-Dara houses hundreds of her paintings, which she chose not to sell, along with a library containing thousands of books and a space dedicated to art education. The museum was accessible by appointment to researchers and art enthusiasts, including women seeking to learn from her experiences as a female artist in Saudi Arabia.
Contemporary Saudi artist Manal AlDowayan described Ms. Binzagr’s museum as an act of rebellion and noted the influence she had on subsequent generations of women artists. Ms. Binzagr strategically navigated the boundaries of societal norms, utilizing her family's wealth and status to push for greater acceptance of women in the arts without attracting undue attention from conservative authorities.
Although her work elevated the status of women in the Saudi art community, Ms. Binzagr preferred not to be labeled a feminist, feeling that the term conflicted with Saudi customs. Her objective was to authentically portray women, challenging Western stereotypes of Arab and Muslim women.
Born in 1940 in an affluent family in Jeddah, Ms. Binzagr received a broad education, studying art in Egypt and later at Saint Martin's School of Art in London. She chose not to marry, focusing instead on her artistic pursuits, with significant support from her brother Wahib, who helped organize her exhibitions in major cities around the world.
One of her most recognized works, a painting of a woman in traditional dress, was famously dubbed the "Saudi Mona Lisa" when exhibited in Paris. This portrait symbolized the strength and pride of Arab women for Ms. Binzagr.
In her early career, despite traditional gender roles, women were still present in public life, although restrictions increased over time. The societal norms of the late 1960s and 1970s made representational art challenging, particularly depictions of living individuals.
Ms. Binzagr's legacy has grown in significance in contemporary Saudi Arabia, where women now enjoy greater freedoms, including the right to drive and express themselves artistically. Her influence remains evident, as noted by artists like Sara Alabdali, who recalled Ms. Binzagr's support for emerging artists even in her later years.
Ms. Binzagr's contributions to the art world and her role as a trailblazer for women in Saudi Arabia will continue to resonate with future generations.