Growing up in a typical Kuwaiti household, Saleh Al-Qallaf discovered his passion for creativity at an early age, sparked by a simple set of color pencils. With a deep nostalgia for the classic plays that shaped his childhood, he transformed that early fascination into a thriving career as a stage designer, earning a degree from the prestigious Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant stories and rich aesthetics of traditional theater, Al-Qallaf brings a unique vision to the stage, infusing each design with the colorful essence of his upbringing and a heartfelt tribute to the classics.

Kuwait Times: How did you first get involved in theater, and what has kept you passionate about it?

Saleh Al-Qallaf: My siblings kept VHS tapes of most ‘90s plays, so I absorbed everything they watched. I became obsessed with how everything looked and sounded.

KT: Can you tell me about your art? Why did you choose digital formats and printing on canvas?

Al-Qallaf: Digital art is incredibly useful for making posters. I found myself gravitating toward it, though I also enjoy painting on real canvas, so I switch between the two from time to time.

KT: How does digital art enhance or transform the traditional essence of classic theater in your work?

Al-Qallaf: I challenge myself by referencing other projects and illustrating them to fit the themes and characters I’m working with. Even though my work is fully digital, I strive to maintain the authenticity of real brushes and pencils using digital tools.

KT: Tell me about your last exhibition and what motivated you to pursue it.

Al-Qallaf: I had this idea for three years. I kept making posters for plays and thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if this became part of an art exhibition for everyone to enjoy?” That’s how it started.

KT: Who influenced your love for classic plays?

Al-Qallaf: Abdulaziz Al-Musallam - I remember watching his scary plays with my hands over my eyes. I grew up watching them, and it felt amazing when he sent me a thank you letter after seeing my exhibition on social media.

KT: What is your favorite play, and what draws you to it?

Al-Qallaf: “Laila wal Theeb.” As a child, I loved everything about it and would always draw the characters. As I grew older, I realized how well-written it is and how the Kuwaiti adaptation turned it into a political commentary, which fascinates me.

KT: Do you aim to modernize classic theater through your art, or do you focus on preserving its traditional aesthetics?

Al-Qallaf: I appreciate everything about Kuwait. My goal is to turn our life - whether traditional or modern - into a work of art. Every generation in Kuwait deserves to be appreciated, explored and depicted.

KT: Is theater today evolving positively compared to traditional theater?

Al-Qallaf: Definitely. We have so many wonderful creatives. Khalid Al-Muthafar, for example, is doing great work to revive that old magic, and he’s succeeding.

KT: What are your thoughts on children’s theater in Kuwait? Is it thriving?

Al-Qallaf: There are so many shows and plays that it’s hard for me to keep up. But I believe the best is yet to come, and I hope to see better stories and scripts in the future.

KT: What role does theater play in addressing social or cultural issues in Kuwait?

Al-Qallaf: Theater plays a huge role. It always has. Every play I depicted in my art exhibition addresses at least one or two issues relevant to its time.

KT: How do you see the future of theater evolving in Kuwait?

Al-Qallaf: I believe the best is yet to come. We have talented people like Khalid Al-Muthafar, Mohammad Al-Hamily and Mubarak Al-Manea - new legends in the making.