Six Emirati artists’ dreams become realised in an exhibition at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Previously unrealised art projects of an assortment of visions and styles are now being displayed in the capital. Emirati Expressions Realised is an exhibition of works by six Emirati artists, all the works being projects the artists had wanted to begin but unable to execute.
What started with a previous collaboration between curator Reem Fadda and artist Mohammed Kazem has now developed into an annual project, where artists are given the resources to complete their long-aspired ideas.
As Reem explains, ‘My premise of working with Mohammed Kazem was realising that he had this amazing work that he wasn’t able to make happen or complete, and we made it happen in the UAE Pavilion. From that start – and I love this kind of continuity in my practice – I took Mohammed’s concept one step further. I thought. “What if I extended it to more artists?” Do these problems apply to others in the industry? And, as I found out, they do.’
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Culture Authority (TCAA) has worked with Reem to develop and fund the project, giving her the opportunity to engage with several established local artists. ‘Some of them had projects they
had been dreaming about doing, like Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim had been for over 20 years. These artists are so well developed and so avant garde that they are just waiting for the opportunity to make their dreams happen.’
The six artists, Abdullah Al Saadi, Ebtisam Abdulaziz, Layla Juma, Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim and Mohammed Kazem, are long-standing artists in the community, and Reem says the six have works that share a common strand. ‘There is an affinity to their ideas and the premise they work from,’ says Reem. ‘They are very diverse in their practices, each artist is very diverse as much as they are a very close-knit group, each one has their own passions and mediums. You’ll see scene painting, you’ll see sculpture in what is overall an immersive installation. It’s very diverse.’
Mohammed Al Mazroueri is one of the featured artists and his unrealised art project stems from 20 years ago. When his mother passed away, he found an image among her belongings which invoked an idea. It is this idea that has now been realised and will be included in the exhibition. His inspiration comes from various sources, it might start with finding an image and exploring it, or at the same time an idea may be supplemented through readings and intellectual inquiry – it is a vigorous process that leads to the final product.
He also says he has been very happy working on such a project with other creative minds because there is a level of professionalism and development between the artists.
‘Every studio visit, I sat with the artists, they talked about projects they hadn’t done, the work that they wanted to do… it just told me that these artists are so well developed, they were just waiting for the opportunity to make their dreams happen,’ says Reem. ‘We are also including an extensive public programme, which I think is equally as important because we are showcasing these artists. We have multiple talks that we are doing, one of course with the panel of artists from the exhibition, for the people to understand and hear directly from the artists,’ she concludes.
Chairman of the TCA Abu Dhabi, HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan says, ‘It is imperative and logical that Emirati artists are supported alongside evolving projects like the various cultural and arts institutions in Abu Dhabi. Emirati Expressions and its ongoing exhibition series is another key programme that presents the talent of Emirati artists.’
The exhibition will open on October 30 and run until Janurary 18, with talks, seminars and guests all booked to appear at Manarat Al Saadiyat. To find out more visit www.saadiyatculturaldistrict.ae.
