Abdel Halim Radwi

Saudi Arabia, b.1939-2006

He was one of the first Saudi artists to study abroad, earning his BA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome in 1964. Upon returning to Saudi Arabia, Radwi began teaching Fine Arts in Mecca and later became the Director of the Jeddah Centre for Fine Arts from 1968 to 1974. He also served as the General Director of Culture and Arts of Jeddah from 1980 to 1992. In the 1970s, Radwi spent time in Madrid, where he was the Action Director of the Association for Arab Artists and studied at the Royal Arts Academy, graduating in 1979. Radwi was a painter, sculptor, and poet whose works depict folkloric scenes of his native country, including desert life and traditional architecture. Despite studying abroad, he remained deeply connected to his cultural roots.