Introducing Naeem Riad, a visionary portrait and figurative sketch artist who recently marked a significant milestone in his artistic journey with a breathtaking debut art exhibition. Hailing from the culturally rich landscapes of Sri Lanka, Naeem’s showcase was a testament to his profound dedication to the normalisation of nude art and the celebration of self-expression in a society that often discourages it. 

Through his captivating collection of graphite masterpieces, he skilfully intertwined technical mastery with a poignant message of embracing one’s true self. Naeem’s artistic vision drew inspiration from the mesmerising allure of male anatomy, inviting viewers to challenge societal norms and explore the profound beauty and sensuality that lies within every individual. While his repertoire also embraces digital art forms, such as digital illustrations, 3D sculpting, and augmented reality (AR), his deliberate focus on graphite, the very foundation where his passion for art was nurtured, exemplifies his commitment to authenticity and artistic excellence. 

Now that the exhibition has concluded, The Daily Morning Brunch sat down with Naeem to reflect on the journey behind this transformative showcase and the impact it has made on both his artistry and the wider artistic community.

Can you tell us about your artistic journey and how you developed your passion for portrait and figurative sketch art?

My journey began at the age of seven when I would spend hours sketching figures. My mother, who herself was a painter, became my first inspiration, fostering my love for art. Both of my parents supported me wholeheartedly, although they never saw my artistic skills as a potential career path.

As I grew older, I found myself seeking a way to merge my passion for art with a profession that could sustain me. Graphic design became my chosen path, allowing me to utilise my artistic skills while also ensuring a steady income. It was at the age of 19 that I met Andre Estefan, who recognised the potential within me. Working under the guidance of Andre Estefan, who became my mentor and father figure, I embarked on a journey as a graphic designer, honing my skills and expanding my portfolio.

Word of mouth and social connections led me to the attention of MeshMinds in Singapore. Joining their team as a creative technologist, I merged art, technology, and sustainability, working on projects for organisations like UNEP, Meta, and Apple. It was a transformative experience, allowing me to flourish and expand my skills in AR.

As the pandemic drew to a close, I realised that it was time to finally plan my long-awaited exhibition, four years after its original intended date. Throughout this journey, I have come to perceive myself as an artist rather than solely a technologist. Therefore, I have chosen to make graphite the primary focus of my exhibition, as it represents the fundamental medium that nurtured my artistic passion during my childhood.

Your debut art exhibition focuses on the normalisation of nude art and self-expression. What motivated you to explore this theme, and what message do you hope to convey through your artwork?

Nude art has been an inspiration to me since the age of 14, but as a young individual, I felt compelled to hide my creations. Now, through “Skin and Graphite”, I want to encourage other queer artists in Sri Lanka to fearlessly express their unique perspectives, regardless of societal expectations. 

I myself am a nudist and I believe that there is nothing wrong in sexualising oneself, and people shouldn’t be ashamed to feel sexual.

While you also work with digital art forms, such as digital illustrations and 3D sculpting, you chose to focus on graphite for this exhibition. What is it about graphite that captivates you as an artist, and how does it enhance the message behind your artwork?

Growing up disliking the system of school, I would spend most of my time in class with my pencil and paper doodling, growing up around the ease of access to pencils, I became accustomed and also skilful in the techniques of using graphite pencils as my artistic tools.

Another reason why I use graphite is because of my love for greyscale, I love sticking to black-and-white art styles and I feel I can accomplish that easily through my pencil work.

With my art style being as detailed as it is, and my love for attention to detail, I feel that I am most powerful when using graphite and drawing with graphite comes very naturally to me, helping me create the finest details like the attention to the nerves underneath the skin and every little hair on the body.

Your artwork encourages viewers to challenge societal norms and explore the beauty and sensuality within every individual. How do you hope your audience will respond to your exhibition, and what impact do you aspire to make with your art?

In all honesty, I wasn’t quite confident that I would get supportive feedback in terms of the images I’ve created as the mindset of many Sri Lankans towards nudity are quite negative.

But to my surprise, I was praised for what I had created. A majority of the feedback that I received towards my artwork was that it was not something you would expect in Sri Lanka but most likely something you would expect in Europe.

The audience was pleased to see the nude male figure portrayed in such a way that most artists in Sri Lanka mostly do with the nude female figure.

I was also praised by the audience for the AR experiences I had created as it was some viewers’ first time experiencing something like this; most viewers commented that this is something that you would only experience overseas like in Singapore or the US.