Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, 40 of the most recognized artists in the Arab world have created works celebrating aspects of life in the UAE for Through Arabian Eyes, an exhibition organized by the UAE Ministry of Culture, Youth & Community Development.
Taking place at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) from 30 November - 14 December, Through Arabian Eyes has created a new cultural exchange platform between the UAE and other Arab countries. The exhibition coincides with the UAE’s 37th anniversary, with the country’s National Day falling on the 2nd of December.
Through Arabian Eyes features the work of 40 artists from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar, Algeria, Morocco and the UAE. All participating artists worked with common themes to create a range of pieces which pays homage to the founding of the UAE.
“Some of the most celebrated Arab artists living today wholly embraced the concept of Through Arabian Eyes as a positive way to promote creative dialogue in the UAE, as well as build stronger cultural ties with other countries in the region,” said the UAE Minister for Culture, Youth & Community Development, His Excellency Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais.
“Such collaborations with our neighbouring countries encourage and promote artistic practice related to the Arab world. Through this exhibition, we witness the depictions and emotional ties to the land, its people, its icons and its histories. These practices are imperative to building upon our creativity and our expression as a nation,” Al Owais said.
“Through Arabian Eyes is a unique exhibition because it has brought together a wide diversity of artistic perspectives on life in the UAE from artists across the Arab world. Each artist featured in this exhibition has a unique vision and voice,” said HE Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC and Managing Director of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
“This exhibition represents the wealth and variety of artistic talent in the Arab world. The Dubai International Financial Centre is keen to host and support exhibitions that promote artistic excellence in our region. By offering a platform for artistic collaboration, exhibitions like this will serve significantly to raise the profile of Arab art and artists” Bin Sulaiman added.
The artists captured the success and prosperity of the country by working with themes such as the Arabic number 37, acknowledging the 37 years since the founding of the nation. Participating artists also incorporated the Arabic number 7, symbolising the seven Emirates that make up the UAE. Many were inspired by the national colours of the UAE flag - red, black, white and green.
The exhibition will feature paintings by a range of artists, including paintings by UAE-based Abdul Qader Al-Rais, Algerian painter Rachid Koraichi, Tunisian-born Nja Mahdaoui, and Syrian artist Fadi Yazigi – all of which were recently featured at the recent sale in the international auction house Christie’s last month in Dubai.