Last year, Vuse’s Driven by Change initiative celebrated its third anniversary as a space dedicated to championing underrepresented artists. As the programme’s very first artist-in-residence, Nujood Al-Otaibi spent last year combining her Saudi heritage with the world of motorsport. To conclude her collaboration at the end of the year, she designed a car livery for the McLaren F1 car inspired by the rolling sand dunes of her hometown, Jeddah.

Drawing parallels between the hum of the desert and the sound of an engine, Nujood’s artwork translates her experience growing up with a hearing impairment, while bringing her hyper-realistic style to a 3D canvas: the McLaren F1 car. “Everywhere I go, my experience of sound is different. Once, on a trip to the beach with friends, I realised I could hear them clearly without my hearing aid. I can’t explain why it happened, but since that moment, the beaches of Jeddah have been a constant source of inspiration for my art,” she says. 

Premiered at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023, the artwork reimagined the sound waves on the track, the engine roar and the cheering crowds as vivid patterns. “Driven by Change has given me the opportunity to not only bring that experience to life but to also celebrate my hearing impairment in my own style,” she adds.

Below, she tells us more about her journey into art and her journey with Vuse.

Could you tell us a bit more about yourself and your background?

Nujood Al-Otaibi: I’m a Saudi Arabian painter based in Jeddah. My artwork is inspired by two key things: the first is sound, as I was diagnosed with a hearing impairment at a young age. The second is the power of nature, specifically the natural areas around Jeddah, such as the sea and sand. I work between hyper-realistic and abstract styles and I love to explore the way nature and sound intertwine and how I can represent them in my art. I’m also passionate about using my platform as an artist to encourage others to charge beyond their own creativity.

How did you first get involved with art?

Nujood Al-Otaibi: I am incredibly lucky because my father is an artist. Throughout my childhood, he always used to paint and seeing him painting all the time was hugely inspiring. Seeing the way his creativity came to life, he encouraged me to watch him paint, to learn from him and to develop my own skills as an artist. It’s a real blessing to have had that nurturing influence from such a young age.

Where do you find your inspiration when creating?

Nujood Al-Otaibi: In short – everywhere I go! My experience of sound is different and that is a constant source of inspiration for me. Once, on a trip to the beach with friends, I realised I could hear the waves crashing on the beach clearly without my hearing aid. I can’t explain why it happened, but since that moment, I’ve always been inspired by my experiences with sound. 

What has being a part of Driven by Change been like for you? 

Nujood Al-Otaibi: It’s been a real honour to be the first artist in residence at the Driven by Change Residency at Studio Thirteen. It has been an incredible experience that has challenged me both as an artist and a person. The Driven by Change Residency challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and move from Jeddah to Dubai to experience a whole new world of art and culture. 

It’s also been a great opportunity to really push myself as an artist and consider how new approaches can evolve my own style. My amazing mentor, Rabab Tantawy, has pushed me to try new styles, such as a more abstract approach. Some of the projects I have worked on have even challenged me to paint in 3D, by creating a design for a helmet! Working with the McLaren Formula 1 Team, Vuse and a car livery designer to create last year’s livery at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was a project I could have never imagined working on. Taking a piece of art in my usual style and converting that to a car livery was such a special and unique challenge that I will always treasure.

What has been the highlight?

Nujood Al-Otaibi: It is hard to choose just one highlight. My first highlight was seeing my design on the car for the first time. I was so shocked I couldn’t breathe. It is one thing to talk about it, but it is another to see it in real life. My second is having my own residency for a year. I have always wanted to have my own studio space to develop my skills as an artist and I will forever be thankful for the opportunity Driven by Change gave me. I met some truly inspirational people through the residency – in the creative industry and beyond.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt from your mentor?

Nujood Al-Otaibi: Rabab always tells me to keep sketching and painting every single day. She encourages me to be free and to paint and sketch quickly. She taught me that this method is the most effective way for me to have a consistent workflow and to develop my skills.

What are your hopes for the future?

Nujood Al-Otaibi: I am part of the Driven by Change family now and I’m so happy that I carry the relationships I've made forward. I am going to keep dreaming and manifesting what my soul wishes, working hard and pushing my creative boundaries to continue developing my artistic practice and hopefully to keep inspiring others. 

Since finishing my Driven by Change residency, I’ve gone on to collaborate with a Saudi brand AIN for The Saudi Cup. Being part of the Driven by Change programme has inspired me to make my dreams a reality, to pursue projects I’d never dreamed of and to continue to develop as an artist through new and exciting collaborations. 

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