By Amelia Heymann

From his work in the arts – in front of and behind the theater curtain – Nawaf Tamim found his true passion: art itself. The journey brought him from his native Saudi Arabia to Virginia Commonwealth University, where the recent graduate and rising master’s student continues to hone his vision.

In his homeland, Tamim had already earned a degree tied to audiovisual production at King Abdulaziz University. There, he had joined a theater club on a whim and found his talent for performing, but he also explored other roles: The Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission offered programs for performers and backstage technicians to work overseas, and having learned about cameras and lights in his coursework, he pursued a technical route.

Tamim enjoyed working at a theater in West End London and was especially influenced by a show called “Burn” by Alan Cumming in Scotland. It awakened his interest in sound design outside of theater, and his advisor suggested he look at VCU’s School of the Arts in Richmond, where the kinetic imaging program incorporates sound, video design and performance art.  

“I got really excited,” Tamim said. “I was like, ‘Let’s do it, let’s come to Richmond.’”

The program, in which he earned a bachelor’s degree this spring, helped him sharpen skills in unexpected ways. For example, in Creative Coding, Tamim was able to create Islamic patterns and traditional Saudi motifs through coding. In his last installation at The Anderson, the on-campus gallery of VCUarts, he displayed work he coded and laser-cut himself.  

“If I did not learn coding, that piece wouldn’t exist,” Tamim said.  

Kate Sicchio, graduate director of kinetic imaging and associate professor of dance and media technologies, led Tamim’s coding class. She said Tamim uses new technologies and cross-cultural stories to add depth and meaning to his work.   

“Nawaf’s work finds the moments of unity between old and new, whether it be in the mediums he works with, the subject matter he explores or the methods he employs,” Sicchio said. “We are lucky to have someone exploring such a range here in the kinetic imaging program.”

While at VCU, Tamim’s work was noticed and led to roles in helping organize art shows for the Saudi government, including one in Las Vegas and three in Washington. One was for this month’s annual Around the World Embassy Tour in the nation’s capital, and Tamim included pieces by fellow Saudi classmates.

“I helped the Saudi students who are here in VCUarts to exhibit their work to international audiences,” he said.

That commitment was also reflected in Tamim’s service as president of the Saudi Student Association at VCUarts. Its events have included a gathering for Saudi Founding Day, held in the Honors College building, at which attendees could experience Saudi food, culture and student artwork.

“It was a nice way to connect people,” he said.

Cultural exchange works in both directions, and Tamim has embraced the opportunity to learn about America at the same time he has shared Saudi experiences. He applauded VCU for its encouragement and funding of his efforts.

“It’s a very valuable thing to share culture with other people, and I think VCU nailed that,” Tamim said.

The relationship will continue: Tamim plans to start his Master of Fine Arts program at VCU this fall. He ultimately wants to continue curating artwork – particularly for artists in the United States and Saudi Arabia, so they can exhibit their work locally and internationally. 

“I started as a musician, then an actor, then a producer in the film industry, and here I am curating shows,” he said. “So that’s something I want to focus on right now.”