Saudi Gazette report

ABHA — Noura Hammoud, a 24-year-old visually impaired female artist, participated in an art event in Abha at the invitation of renowned artist Saad Al-Bishri, who learned about her creativity and exhibitions through the media.

"The visually impaired people do not lack artistic appreciation and can sense beauty. They are able to express their feelings and imagination through their feelings and sensations," Noura said.

Noura expressed her happiness to be in the city of Abha, wishing to provide an artistic touch and a valuable message to others, Al-Madina newspaper reported.

"We do not need compassion," she said. "We need support. We need to go beyond the narrow view of some who call us people with special needs."

Noura pointed out that she started painting since she was 9 years old with the support of her mother.

The Nur Institutes for the Visually Impaired did not offer artistic classes, but her mother compensated for the lack of this service. She added that everything was difficult, and everyone was surprised by her skills and ability to paint although she cannot see. After drawing, she found great response and support, and she was nicknamed the "painter of darkness".

Noura's sister Aisha said: "She paints without seeing through the sense of colors and derives ideas from her imagination and through the description of her mother,"

Aisha said they taught Noura about different schools of art including abstract, surrealist, natural and realistic.

Noura loves to paint portraiture, especially eyes. She was also unique in drawing the cosmic galaxies and received many awards in the UAE and Riyadh.

Aisha said the time Noura takes for her paintings differed depending on the size; it ranges from one to two days, especially for paintings with spray.

She added that many people wanted to buy her sister's paintings, which cost up to SR4,000.

She revealed that Noura wanted to have her own special studio.

Aisha said the family was proud of Noura and considered her a miracle of God.

Noura presented two paintings in her first participation in the street art festival and received tremendous support from the public.