Fishing Net Handicraft in Saudi Arabia and Its Contemporary Vision — An Applied Study of “Coastal Weave”

Abstract Book of the 3rd International Conference on Art Studies

Year: 2026

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Fishing Net Handicraft in Saudi Arabia and Its Contemporary Vision — An Applied Study of "Coastal Weave"

Dr. Dalia alyahya

ABSTRACT:

Fishing net handicraft is one of the most distinctive traditional crafts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, embodying the cultural identity of its coastal peoples. This research sheds light on the craft, explores its aesthetic dimensions, and investigates its contemporary reinterpretation through an applied study of the artwork “Coastal Weave” – addressing key questions about the nature of this tradition and how it has been creatively reimagined through that work.
The research holds significance in its analysis of “Coastal Weave” as a practical model that reflects a contemporary approach to employing fishing net handicraft within the arts — one that reinterprets traditional handicrafts through modern techniques while honoring their original character. It also aims to deepen cultural appreciation for the value of handcraft traditions and the role of artisans and designers in preserving and passing them across generations, while supporting institutional commitments to heritage sustainability amid the shifts of the contemporary cultural landscape.
Methodologically, the study relies on a descriptive-analytical approach to examine fishing net handicraft in the Kingdom, alongside a case study framework for analyzing “Coastal Weave”. The research concludes that Saudi Arabia holds an exceptionally rich creative legacy of traditional handicrafts, and that fishing net handicraft has moved well beyond its utilitarian origins to become an art form carrying contemporary aesthetic significance — one that ensures its preservation and living transmission to generations yet to come

Keywords: Handicrafts, The Craft of Fishing Nets, Studies of The Craft, And The Contemporary Perspective.