Saudi Artist Emerges with 'Untold Stories' Thesis Exhibition

Abdulrahman Hamdi's MFA show at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago marks his full artistic expression after years of painting in secret.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Abdulrahman Hamdi, a Saudi artist, is presenting his MFA thesis exhibition 'Untold Stories' at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The exhibition marks Hamdi's full emergence as an artist after years of painting in secret while pursuing a career in law, due to the conservative cultural climate in Saudi Arabia that discouraged artistic expression. Hamdi's abstract paintings serve as archives of personal and intergenerational memory, using color and layered surfaces to convey emotions and narratives beyond words.

Why it matters

Hamdi's journey from hiding his artistic passion to fully embracing it through his MFA exhibition reflects the challenges faced by creatives in restrictive cultural environments. His work explores the tension between personal expression and societal expectations, offering a powerful narrative of self-discovery and the transformative power of art.

The details

For nearly 15 years, Hamdi painted in secrecy while building a career in law, using art as a quiet outlet. It was only well into adulthood that he began to understand what art had already been doing for him. In his paintings, words like 'I' and 'you' are buried beneath thick layers of paint, capturing the delicate balance between expressing emotions and the stories that lie beyond words. Color is central to Hamdi's visual vocabulary, with gold representing the soul. The exhibition includes a book inviting visitors to record their own untold stories, creating an anonymous dialogue between artist and viewer.

  • Hamdi's MFA thesis exhibition 'Untold Stories' opens on February 17, 2026 at the SAIC Galleries.
  • The exhibition will be on view through February 26, 2026.

The players

Abdulrahman Hamdi

A Saudi artist presenting his MFA thesis exhibition 'Untold Stories' at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)

The art school where Hamdi is pursuing his MFA and presenting his thesis exhibition.

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What they’re saying

“I realized I was already using art to survive. It became necessary when I realized it was the only place where I could think, feel, and exist without translating myself into acceptable or precise language.”

— Abdulrahman Hamdi, Artist (chicagoreader.com)

“Gold is the only thing that never rusts. I think of gold as the soul, the soul of you, as a human being, that you will always go back to.”

— Abdulrahman Hamdi, Artist (chicagoreader.com)

“Sometimes you try to shape yourself to be someone else, and then you realize . . . why am I not the main character in my life?”

— Abdulrahman Hamdi, Artist (chicagoreader.com)

What’s next

Hamdi plans to stay in Chicago after graduating, continuing to build connections with other artists, collectors, and creative professionals to further develop his artistic practice within a global context.

The takeaway

Hamdi's journey from hiding his artistic passion to fully embracing it through his MFA exhibition serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of art in overcoming cultural and societal constraints. His work invites audiences to reflect on their own untold stories, fostering a collective dialogue around personal expression and self-discovery.