Mounirah Mosly (1943, Mecca, Saudi Arabia – 2019, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) was a pioneering figure in the fine art movement in Saudi Arabia. Her artistic practice reflected a conscious and independent vision shaped by a profound sensitivity to human suffering, particularly within the Arab world, as well as humanitarian, social, and women’s issues.
Mosly graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo in 1967. She later continued her studies in the United States, obtaining a diploma in graphic design in 1978. Upon returning to Saudi Arabia, she joined Aramco’s Public Relations Department as a specialist in publication design and contributed to the company’s Children Art Competition for several years. In 1986, she established the Dammam Art Studio, which played an important role in promoting and expanding the fine arts movement in the region.
Working with both traditional and experimental materials, Mosly developed a distinctive personal language inspired by nature, handicrafts, public events, poetry, music, philosophical reflections, and the cultural memory of the Arabian Peninsula. Her work often moved through layers of the subconscious, combining contemporary techniques with imagination and heritage.
Mosly was among the first female artists to exhibit in Saudi Arabia, participating in the first Saudi women’s exhibition in 1968 alongside Safeya Bin Zaggar. In 1973, she became the first Saudi woman to hold a solo exhibition in both Jeddah and Riyadh. Over the course of her career, she participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including Art Dubai Modern, the International Cairo Biennale, and the International Sharjah Biennale. Her works are held in collections including Barjeel Art Foundation, Ithra, the Modern Art Museum – Engraving and Etching Division in Madrid, the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, and Al-Mansouriyah Establishment.