A new perspective: Through the lens of Moath Alofi

Land, the environment, old buildings and historical sites find new meaning in the works of Moath Alofi.

A self-dubbed artist, researcher and explorer, Alofi uses photography as a means of self-expression and discovery of the world around him, particularly that of his homeland of Saudi Arabia. His poignant photographs capture vast barren landscapes, heritage homes, traditional doors and more, revealing often unseen aspects of the kingdom – particularly during a time of great change.  

“I want to show what’s really happening in the back
doors of these areas and explore it,” explains Alofi.  

Currently based in Riyadh, Alofi initially returned to his hometown of Medina after obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development from Bond University in Gold Coast, Australia. It was in the city of his birth that he began photographing as an act of expression and exploration. 

Alofi’s works are currently on display in the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah. Titled The Last Tashahhud, the photographic series captures desolated mosques scattered along the winding roads leading to the holy city of Medina. These mosques, at once charming and endearing in their minimalistic simplicity and small size, were built by philanthropists with the aim to offer weary travellers and pilgrims a place for rest and prayer.  

For his upcoming project, Alofi was privately commissioned to shoot a heritage building in the kingdom. “It was nostalgic,” he says. “The project captured nostalgic moments and conceptual decay, the state of how everything was just left behind in the place. I also captured how time affected everything that remained. It was fascinating.” 

Much of Alofi’s recent work centres around artistic documentation to, as he says, “capture the now and then, and the before status of history and heritage.” He goes on to explain how he also explores “possibilities of how things would have been or not been if we skipped the great change we are undergoing in Saudi Arabia, to preserve and take care of these historical landmarks and historical sites.”  

His vast barren landscapes punctuated by a lone building, mosque or heritage doors are keys to understanding recent times and the remnants of Saudi’s contemporary past on its ever-changing present.  

Alofi is also the founder of artistic studio Al-Mthba and the co-founder of Erth Team, a production group trained and specialised in safari trips, aerial photography and travel documentation. His works have been exhibited throughout the kingdom, as well as in Bahrain, Oman, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium and the United States.  

While on shoots, Alofi says he always strives to be present, mindful, and focused on enjoying the moment, explaining that when he’s working, “there is no past or future.” In addition, while Alofi’s work has largely centred around Saudi, he believes there isn’t only one place in the world that solely inspires him.  

“It's not about geography, it's more about human practices, it's more about intelligence,” he says. “It's about how we challenge ourselves creatively to achieve something new or to create something new. I'm inspired by all the artists all over the world and how their minds work to create something that is new and unique.” 

“I always like to chase lava fields in the desert,” he muses. The old city of Khaybar in the Medina Province is still one of Alofi’s favourite spots. “It’s one of the most giving destinations. Whenever I go back to Medina and explore, it surprises me with new locations, new items and new materials to see.” 

These days, Alofi’s focus is more towards the capital city. “As long as I'm living here and based in Riyadh, I want to see more of it. I want to dig more in urban districts that I haven't been to or visited before.”

Learn more about Moath Alofi by visiting moathalofi.com