Salem Mohammed
What’s your name and where are you from/based?
My name is Salem Mohammed. I’m a Saudi artist, born and raised in the southwestern side of Riyadh. I grew up in a loving, supportive family that has had a strong impact on my artistic vision.
Can you describe your practice in a few words?
My practice is an exploration of cities as living memories capturing fleeting moments, hidden spaces, and the emotions they hold.
What first drew you to pick up a camera and start observing the city around you?
Over time, I realized there was something unique in the way I see the world. I’ve always been drawn to the places and details that most people overlook. There’s so much beauty hidden in plain sight beauty that often goes unnoticed and photography became my way of bringing it to light.
How does your personal identity filter into your visual storytelling?
My identity shapes how I see and capture the city. Growing up in Riyadh, my photographs reflect personal memories and emotions tied to its spaces.
Your photographs capture stillness and liminal spaces. What is it about in-between places that speaks to you?
Liminal spaces are transitional places like hallways, empty streets, or waiting areas, existing between one moment and the next. I’m drawn to them because they reflect change, stillness, and the passage of time.
You say your edits reflect your mental state at the time. Do you see each photograph as a diary entry of sorts?
Yes, in a way each photograph feels like a page from my diary. The way I edit reflects my emotions and state of mind at that moment, as well as what suits the atmosphere of the picture so i prefer turning the image into a personal memory rather than just a visual record.
Nostalgia is central to your work and with Riyadh in constant transformation, what do you feel most compelled to preserve through your lens?
I try to capture the essence of these places before they fade, keeping their stories alive amidst Riyadh’s constant transformation.
Do you think your familiarity with the city lets you capture moments an outsider might miss?
Yes, people often ask me if these places are really in Riyadh. Some are close to where I grew up, so the architecture feels familiar, making it natural for me to connect with on a deeper level.
What kind of emotional response do you hope viewers feel when they look at your photographs?
I don’t expect viewers to feel what I felt when I took the photograph. My goal is to create a space where they can bring their own memories and emotions to see a reflection of themselves within the image.
Where can people find you?
People can find my work on my art account @nostalgicbricks
And my personal account @officiallysalem
