Nada Hameed JEDDAH: Joel Alessandra, the renowned French comic book artist, travelled through Saudi Arabia recently so that he could portray the nation’s rich culture and heritage. Known for his innovative use of coffee and watercolors in his drawings, Alessandra’s visit was facilitated by the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise Saudi Arabia. Having visited Riyadh, Alkhobar and AlUla, Alessandra found himself captivated by the charm of Al-Balad, Jeddah’s old town.
“This part of the city of Jeddah is the one that inspired me the most. We feel the atmosphere of a time when pilgrims stopped here, we perceive this fervent activity, there is an atmosphere of a centuries-old tradition that is still palpable,” Alessandra told Arab News. The ancient architecture was a rich source of inspiration for his sketches, including the patina-covered walls and the intricate doorways.
Alessandra’s drawings during his days in Jeddah aimed to capture the essence of Al-Balad’s vibrant past and present. He also held a live performance in Jeddah, where he recreated scenes from Al-Balad, offering spectators a glimpse into his artistic process. “The subject was an improvised walk in Al-Balad, based on my sketches from the afternoon, I reproduced them in watercolor on the screen.
Scenes of life in the street, buildings from past centuries, mosque minarets from the neighborhoods you pass through,” he said. For Alessandra, travel serves as a constant wellspring of inspiration. Dra.
