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    Art Dubai 2024: When, where and everything else to know

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    Life by Ruman Baig 10 mins ago As Dubai continues to solidify its position as a vibrant cultural hub, anticipation mounts for the upcoming 17th edition of Art Dubai. Set against the stunning backdrop of Madinat Jumeirah, this prestigious event promises an immersive experience for art enthusiasts worldwide. Let’s delve into what makes Art Dubai 2024 a must-attend affair. Dates and Venue The biggest art spectacle is scheduled to captivate audiences from March 1st to 3rd, with exclusive previews on February 28th and 29th. Nestled within the opulent surroundings of Madinat Jumeirah, this iconic location sets the stage for a convergence of creativity and innovation. Diverse Presentations More than 100 contemporary, modern, and digital presentations will grace the event, representing over 60 cities and 40 countries. Notably, 21 presentations by exhibitors based in Dubai underscore the city’s burgeoning art scene. Special Highlights Art Dubai Digital returns for its third edition, showcasing groundbreaking digital art. Meanwhile, Bawwaba, meaning ‘gateway’ in Arabic, offers a curated series of solo artist presentations exploring the theme of healing. Additionally, Art Dubai Modern spotlights leading artists from the region who engaged in cultural exchanges with the Soviet Union post-1960. International perspective This year’s theme broadens the scope of the ‘Global South,’ celebrating diverse narratives and shared histories from communities worldwide. From Delhi to Guatemala City, it embraces diasporic and migrant histories, reflecting Dubai’s multicultural tapestry. Engaging Dialogues The Global Art Forum 17 will tackle pressing issues such as climate change and extinction. Esteemed speakers from various disciplines will explore solutions and initiatives over two insightful days of discussion. Experiential Offerings In addition to captivating artworks, guests can explore immersive experiences such as Piaget’s “The House of Gold” exhibition. This showcase offers a glimpse into high-end jewellery, watches, and newly commissioned artworks, enriching the cultural tapestry of Art Dubai. Art Dubai 2024 promises to be a celebration of creativity, diversity, and innovation. With its diverse array of presentations, thought-provoking discussions, and immersive experiences, this cultural extravaganza is not to be missed. Join us as we embark on a journey through the captivating realm of contemporary art in the heart of Dubai. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Instagram: @artdubai  More

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      International Women’s Day 2023: Meet the 10 women redefining the region’s creative scene

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      Lifestyle

      by Camille Macawili
      2 hours ago

      To mark the occasion of International Women’s Day, Emirates Woman spotlights on the incredible women across the region redefining their respective industries and challenging the status quo.
      Scroll through to discover the 10 next-gen faces to watch and names to know.
      Fatma Husam, Entreprenuer

      Fatma Husam is a 28-year-old Emirati entrepreneur and influencer with more than half a million Instagram following. Proving she’s more than just a pretty face, Husam is also the founder of Kamin, a luxe abaya label loved by many for its sophisticated silhouettes and contemporary touches. On top of that, she is currently busy building a creative community space called MNBAIN, launching soon at DIFC.
      Nora Mansour Samawi and Amina Debbiche, Co-founders of The Open Crate

      Nora Mansour Samawi and Amina Debbiche are pioneering the future of art collection management with its first-of-its-kind platform, The Open Crate, that allows curators and collectors to digitally store and keep an inventory of physical assets. Through this, Cultural Engineers Samawi and Debbiche aim to document and preserve the cultural legacy by focusing on the Middle East and Africa.
      Rabah Saeid, Founder and Creative Director of Styled Habitat

      Dubai-based Rabah Saeid founded Styled Habitat in 2016, an award-winning interior architectural studio that boasts a portfolio of exclusive VIP clients from art collectors to entrepreneurs. With each project, Saeid puts a sophisticated touch and thoughtful approach to design to many residential, hospitality and commercial spaces in the UAE.
      Sarah Alagroobi, Founder of The Letters Project

      Sarah Alagroobi is the founder of The Letters Project, an online platform that foregrounds the anthropological and sociocultural climate of the Arab region through anonymous letters. The Emirati multi-disciplinary artist, designer and educator puts forward her knowledge and insights on Khaleeji culture and sparks conversations on notions of Emirati stereotypes within both Middle Eastern and Western contexts through her practice and social media – specifically on TikTok with her growing number of following of 21.9K.
      “I hope that my beliefs in advocating for cultural shifts are going to contribute to changes that will speak to the people, for the people, by the people.” Alagroobi tells Emirates Woman.
      Emaan Abbass, Founder of Ketish

      Emaan Abbass is a Dubai-based Egyptian-descent feminine health advocate and founder of Ketish, UAE’s first feminine wellness brand. Launched in 2021 and backed by Huda and Mona Kattan, it provides highly effective and multi-beneficial wellness formulas that are empowering and luxurious in every way.
      By entering the business of health and beauty, Abbass aims to create a safe space and empower women to gain a deeper understanding of topics we normally shy away from – all things body, arousal, desire, and wellness.
      Hessa Al Suwaidi, Designer and Women’s Well-being Advocate

      Emirati textile printed designer and women’s well-being advocate Hessa Al Suwaidi has worked with some of the biggest names in the fashion and art industries. Last year, Al Suwaidi was featured on Prada’s Ramadan and Eid campaigns called “Parallel Harmonies” alongside mountaineer Raha Moharrak and actor Rakan Bin Abdel Wahid. Notably, she has also done a collaboration highlighting traditional Emirati weaving with Bentley Motors for Dubai Design Week.
      Through her projects and works, the young creative expresses her cultural identity and pushes forth her regional roots and inspires women of her to follow their dreams.
      Lina Malaika, Filmmaker and Co-Founder of Clay

      A natural creative, (thanks to years of film production experience that runs in the family) Lina Malaika is an established filmmaker and creative consultant from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Malaika has worked on feature projects for publications in collaboration with luxury and contemporary brands such as Louis Vuitton and Chopard to name a few.
      More recently, she has co-founded Clay with designer Farah Hammad – a modeling agency that champions fresh talent by pushing for visibility to a new generation of faces to boost local careers.
      Maya Chantout, Creative Director

      Syrian creative director Maya Chantout is a revitalizing breath of fresh air.
      Chantout boasts of an impressive line up of design stints at Hermes, Chloe and Celine, as well as being distinguished by LVMH for her graduation collection. Currently she works as an art director and image consultant for fashion brands such as Mirae, Casablanca and Miu Miu where her distinctive bold energy, eclectic spirit and extravagant style have an evident influence. Her unique aesthetic reflects a collage of the two culture she’s been immersed in – from her childhood in Syria and her adult life in Paris.
      “I try my best to encourage people around me to respect their uniqueness and be true to themselves.” Chantout shares in Emirates Woman’s The Confidence Issue.
      Hala Khayat, Regional Director of Art Dubai

      In 2020, Hala Khayat joined Art Dubai as Regional Director where her extensive experience in the Middle Eastern market – specializing in Arab, Iranian and Turkish art – allows her to develop strategies for local and regional collectors’ long-term engagement, one of the driving factors for the continued remarkable success of Art Dubai.
      Khayat is also an advocate for Syria’s art community, which continues to play an integral role by championing young Syrian artists.
      Butheina Hamed Kazim, Founder of Cinema Akil

      Butheina Hamed Kazim is an Emirati founder of Cinema Akil, the Gulf’s first independent arthouse cinema in the GCC region.
      Without a doubt, Kazim has significantly contributed to the UAE’s arts and culture scene,  amplifying current sociocultural and political issues in the region through film festivals and program series. Her love for film has led her to many milestone moments including “Producing the short documentary Letters to Palestine, winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in 2010” she tells Emirates Woman.
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram More

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      An exclusive interview with Studio Lenca

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      Emirates Man

      by Dan Robinson
      8 seconds ago

      Founded on the process of personal memories and underpinned by social activism and different forms of Praxi.
      Studio Lenca paintings tell an autobiographical story that navigates borders and identities. Most recently, the studio has started building momentum with the art scene and collectors in the Middle East. Having already showcased in cities such as Seoul, London, and Edinburgh.
      We speak to Jose Campos of Studio Lenca ahead of his next upcoming exhibition at Foundry Gallery, Downtown Dubai.

      You have lived in many places; can you tell us about your early life?

      I was born in El Salvador, and like 300,000 people had to flee the country during its violent civil war in the 1980s. I traveled by land illegally to the US with my mother. When we eventually reached California, we found ourselves in a hostile environment trying to survive without the legal right to work or live there. My mum worked as a cleaner, and I was lucky enough to be admitted to a free public Arts school where I specialized in Dance. This completely opened up my world, and I could see where the arts could take me.
      I moved to London in my early twenties, which was a transformative experience. I moved to study for a master’s at London Contemporary Dance School. It was incredible to be amidst such a vibrant community of artists at that time. This encouraged me to paint and work across a range of art forms. I went on to study for a second master’s at Goldsmiths and worked as an art teacher until recently.
      How has this shaped you as an artist?
      My last teaching role was working with teens who had escaped conflict and traveled to the UK alone from places like Syria and Afghanistan. This was a truly transformative experience. I could see myself in them. Hearing their stories and seeing the resilience and strength they possessed still motivates me. At the age of 16, they had experienced a whole lifetime of trauma. They made beautiful paintings in my studio, and we discussed our shared experiences of being from a home that wouldn’t let us stay. I want my work to challenge the discourse around migration and amplify the voices of displaced people. These young people still motivate me.
      What inspires you to create and when did you realize this was an outlet you want to explore?
      Making artwork is something that I need to do. Sometimes I’ll see a colour, watch a film or hear a song and it will give me an idea for a painting. I needed to rush to the studio and get started at that moment! I can’t ever remember feeling any different!
      Jose Campos, Studio Lenca – Photo credit: Marc Hibbert
      Can you tell us about your latest collection ‘The Dreamers’?
      The Dreamers is a new series of work I produced for Foundry Downtown. The exhibition presents a new experimental series of paintings that explore my lived experience of displacement. ‘The Dreamers’ is a colloquial term given to a policy from the Obama administration that allowed children arriving in the US illegally the right to stay. Donald Trump then canceled this policy. I wanted to explore universal themes of displacement and a sense of surreal disorientation when you feel stateless.
      What has inspired you to showcase your collection in the UAE?
      I’ve spent a lot of time in UAE recently as I have many friends there. It’s such an exciting place as it feels very realistically diverse. During a recent residency, I explored the souqs of Bur Dubai and Deira. Through observations, a visual language of displacement and migration resonated with me. Suitcase stalls, visa agencies, and ticket offices jostled alongside home comfort food and barbershops. I lived in a neighborhood called ‘La Mission in San Francisco, where my mother and I would find our community. It feels similar to parts of Dubai. I find these environments very poignant- people are creating their own spaces, and there’s a sense of beauty and resilience, which I find fascinating.
      Many of the materials and visual symbols within the work are collected from these environments.
      How do you feel the art world differs in this region?
      The UAE offers so many possibilities for artists. The art world here is really finding its feet. There’s a whole ecosystem of creatives emerging. One thing I enjoy in the UAE is the sense of criticality. People are academically engaging in my artwork here. I enjoy the difficult conversations that are being held around colonialism and identity afforded in a place with such a global outlook. Institutions such as Jameel Arts Centre and NYU Abu Dhabi have fostered this.
      As a creative, what would you say the biggest challenges are you’ve had to overcome?
      Every painting for me is a huge challenge. I have to grapple or fight with the canvas until I’m happy to release it to the world. I have the responsibility of my story, my heritage, and my country on my shoulders. I always want to make sure I’m communicating that in an honest way. My work is about connecting with people and telling stories. It’s important that I do that with integrity and clarity.

      Which is the most memorable piece of art you have created so far?
      It was incredible to visit my recent solo exhibition at Tang Contemporary in Seoul. I had never seen so many of my works displayed together in such a beautiful space.
      My mother visited the show, and it was such a special moment for her to see my work in such a high-profile environment after everything we’ve been through together. It was emotional and something I will never forget.
      The UAE encourages and cultivates an environment in which to thrive in business – how have you experienced this as an artist?
      I love the optimism in the UAE, and everything seems possible. As an artist, it’s exciting to be in an environment where everyone strives for excellence. It’s a place that encourages everyone to be successful. It’s also impossible to feel creatively blocked here with such a heady combination of culture and energy.
      What’s next for Studio Lenca?
      The next few months are going to be exciting! After my solo exhibition at Foundry in Dubai, I have solo shows in London, Berlin, and Beirut. I also have a residency in Miami and will be showing as part of the Untitled Art Fair with an exciting project at Art Basel – that’s all I can say so far!
      The exhibition opens 12th September at Foundry Gallery, Dubai.For more information visit Studio Lenca
      – For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Instagram
      Images: Supplied More