Emirati Expressions returns for its third edition with the official opening of Emirati Expressions: Realised, an exhibition showcasing the newly commissioned artworks of six distinguished Emirati artists from across the UAE. Running until 18 January 2014 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the arts centre on Saadiyat Island, Emirati Expressions: Realised presents the previously “unrealised” projects of six Emirati artists:Abdullah Al Saadi, EbtisamAbdulaziz, LaylaJuma, Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, and Mohammed Kazem.
Based on theirunfulfilled projects,the exhibition showcases contemporary pieces to present the true extent of their artistic expertise and now ‘realised’ artistic visions. Alongside the exhibition, Emirati Expressions has officially unveiled an exciting public programme featuring renowned artists from the wider Emirati art community, including Abdul Qader Al Rais, Dr.NajatMakki, Jalal Luqman, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, and Mattar bin Lahej, who through aseries of public talks, such as the “Full Artist Circle” Talk*, and educational workshops will share their expertise on the contemporary art scene in the UAE.

Emirati Expressions: Realised is curated by ReemFadda, Associate Curator, Middle Eastern Art, Abu Dhabi Project, Solomon R. Guggenheim, with Maisa Al Qassimi, Programmes Manager in Museums Department of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

ReemFadda says:“In the course of curatorial research for this exhibition, it was discovered that many of these exceptional artists had unfulfilled projects. Despite the support and recognition that these artists have received over their careers, many had ideas that remained unrealised. These artists can now display the true extent of their visionary ideas and artistic expertise.
“Art’s illusive nature can lead to a fine and fragile line between unrealised and complete – realised – works. The intangible nature of artistic expression means that the tangible result, the artwork, is stalked with an air of uncertainty that can impede the full realisation of the artist’s original idea.Through Emirati Expressions: Realised, multiple proposals for heretofore unrealised artworks will be brought to fruition.”
Recognised for the breadth of their artistic practice and history of involvement in shaping the contemporary visual art scene in the UAE, featured artists include:
Abdullah Al Saadi: Al Saadi explores the evolution of the relationship between humans and their natural surroundings with his meticulous examinations of nature. Al Saadi’s work juxtaposes nature and culture, commenting on their convoluted relationship through an elaborate and uniquely devised symbolic language.
EbtisamAbdulaziz: Abdulaziz works primarily with video, photography and performance art, which are then transformed into final pieces via her installation process. Thematically, her works focus on human narratives, exploring social constructions and power structures through an intense examination of mundane life.
LaylaJuma: Juma’s work predominately takes the form of computer-generated drawings in which the artist analyses the intersections of recurring geometric forms. Conceptually, her new work alludes to both the fragmentation and intersection of human experience.

Mohamed Al Mazrouei: Al Mazrouei’s paintings, like his poetry, embrace a level of both naiveté and violence, reflecting deep desires and complex philosophical ideas about the status of culture, especially in the Arab world.
Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim: Ibrahim’s interests in the circular form, archaeology and land art enable him to conceptually explore the fleeting nature of time and the omnipresent process of decay. His works physically exemplify one moment in an eternal process of evolution, both claiming an identity outside of the eternal cycle of nature and yet participating in the process of natural evolution.

Mohammed Kazem: Kazem works primarily in the medium of photography, mostly capturing images of himself in the midst of performance art. Through subjective experience, Kazem conceptualises and attempts to understand how forces of globalisation, environmental sustainability and materialism transform his culture into the definition of a modern society, complete with skyscrapers, shopping malls and health clinics.
Rita Aoun- Abdo, Executive Director, Culture Sector, TCA Abu Dhabi says, “Founded on tradition and heritage, yet forged by rapid modernity, the UAE’s cultural identity is built on the nexus between the traditional and the modern. This exploration of the old and new, the urban space and nature, man and the environment – played out within a multi-cultural society – is what drives the various perspectives and artistic expressions that make-up the country’s creative movement.

“Based on these very variables, Emirati artists, particularly those on display today, are innovating new methods and concepts, as well as new realities to reflect upon, as they take the historical and cultural heritage of the UAE to its creative future.”

*A highlight of the public programme will be the “Full Artist Circle” Talk which will reunite celebrated artists from the two previous editions of Emirati Expressions. Although showcased at different times, these artists are all working towards the same goal; establishing a solid infrastructure for the arts in the UAE. With that in mind, the talk will serve as a platform for these artists to discuss the challenges and the opportunities ahead and outline the exciting evolution of the art scene in the UAE.

As part of TCA Abu Dhabi’s mandateto take a holistic view of the emerging art scene in the UAE, Artscape: The Harmony of Art and Poetry, an evening of poetry and art inspired by the themes of Emirati Expressions: Realised, will be a key component of the public programme. Taking the themes and artworks in Emirati Expressions: Realised as its starting point, this unique event will entertain audiences of all ages, whilst drawing particular focus to the rich UAE literary scene, an established and inspirational group of poets and writers who supported the artists in the exhibition and others of their generation, through the provocative power of the written and spoken word. Participants include Mahmoud Al Ramahee, AmeenaDheiban, Ali Abu Al Reesh, Sumayyah Al Dahesh, Yasser Al Niyadi, Hassan Sharif, Jamal Al Mullah, Nasser Al Thaheri, Mariam Al Saa’edi, among many others.
In addition to the exhibition and events programme, an interpretative publication will be produced that situates the artists’ practises within a larger context. The publication will provide scholarly essays on the history of art in the UAE, and in-depth texts on the works of the featured artists.

The first Emirati Expressions exhibition was held in 2009, when 64 Emirati artists were represented by more than 165 paintings, sculptures, drawings, calligraphic works, prints, photographs, videos, mixed-media works and installations. The second edition (2011–2012) reflected on Emirati cultural heritage through a thematic lens: ‘Movement of Thoughts’ included photographs by Emirati artists as well as visiting photographers with a global viewpoint. 

We accept Guest Posts

Download the Dubai City Guide iPhone mobile app

DubaiCityGuide.com is owned and managed by Cyber Gear