Adorning the walls of the cosy Café Arabia are the collective works of four artists residing in the city. The brainchild of the talented Marian Richardson, the exhibition The Colour of Now is an eclectic collection of contemporary and impressionist works, as seen through the eyes of the artists. Running from March 7-14, visitors to the café will get to enjoy the art, as well as have a chance to purchase pieces.
Marian’s works share space with creations by Panna Taher, Heidi Halls and Nabeel Al Mehairibi. Panna Taher’s works often incorporate elements of Arabic calligraphy in very bold colours, as well as many landscape paintings. Originally from Bangladesh and raised in London, this artist shows influences from the Middle East in many of her works. Heidi Halls also exhibits a lot of Arabic influence in her silk paintings, which are delicately layered with vintage looking adornments. The fourth artist is Emirati Nabeel Khalfan Al Mehairibi, who largely creates landscapes using impressionist techniques.
For the duration of the exhibition, one of the artists will always be at hand, ready to answer any questions. The pieces will vary in price from Dhs500 to over Dhs2,000. For the opening night, all artists will be present. ‘The exhibition encompasses works that The Colour of Now represents, what the artist sees and what the eye then constructs in the here and now. It is a personal expression through style, medium and interpretation,’ Marian tells us. The works are all inspired from scenes seen around the city, as well as daily life in Abu Dhabi.
Marian has a very pleasant and inviting aura around her. Her passion for contemporary art is immediately apparent as she recounts her personal journey of learning the craft and creating unique works. This will be the first time these artists exhibit their work together with items up for sale. For Marian, this exhibition is more about being a part of the emerging cultural vibe that is flourishing in the city than about business. ‘It’s a very exciting time to be an artist in the city; there are so many great regional events, such as Abu Dhabi Art, and there are more and more avenues available for expression.’
Having lived here for over 20 years, she recounts the journey that the city has taken in its incredible and rapid development. ‘Not only has the skyline changed, but the developments on Saadiyat with the cultural district are shaping up to be global attractions.’
Café Arabia in particular has been establishing itself as a cultural core, hosting events such as plays and art shows. ‘The management have been very accommodating, and it’s great to be able to exhibit in such a space, where people can just enjoy the art with the experience.’
Whether you are a fan of contemporary art or enjoy handmade creations, the exhibition is sure to host something that will captivate the imagination. And if you find a piece that speaks silently to you, then you have the option to own it.
Café Arabia is open daily 7am-11pm and is located on 15th street in Al Mushrif (02 643 9699). For more information about Panna Taher visit www.pannataher.com (050 828 1091). For more information about Heidi Halls visit www.heidihalls.com (050 660 9025). To see more of Marian’s work, visit www.marianrichardson.net.
