Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority presents third edition of Emirati Expressions series, Emirati Expressions: Realised

A new Exhibition that brings together Emirati artists from across the UAE to showcase newly commissioned artworks and share expertise through a wide range of public programmes

Abu Dhabi, October 6, 2013: Emirati Expressions returns for its third edition this month, with the opening of Emirati Expressions: Realised, an exhibition showcasing newly commissioned artworks of six established Emirati artists, along with an exciting public programme featuring artists from the wider Emirati art community.

Opening on 30 October 2013 and running until 18 January 2014 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the arts centre on Saadiyat Island, Emirati Expressions: Realised will showcase works based on the “unrealised” projects of six Emirati artists; Abdullah Al Saadi, Ebtisam Abdulaziz, Layla Juma, Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, and Mohammed Kazem. Recognised for the breadth of their artistic practice and history of involvement in shaping the contemporary visual art scene in the UAE, the featured artists will present works that reveal commonalities in their visual languages and artistic practices. These artists share a linked history of connected experiences distinguishing them as a generation of established Emirati artists. Emirati Expressions: Realised is curated by Reem Fadda, Associate Curator, Middle Eastern Art, Abu Dhabi Project, Solomon R. Guggenheim, and assistant curator Maisa Al Qassimi, Programmes Manager in Museums Department of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

The exhibition has also invited artists from across the UAE, including Abdul Qader Al Rais, Dr. Najat Makki, Jalal Luqman, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, and Mattar bin Lahej, who participated in past editions of Emirati Expressions, to take part in a series of public talks and educational workshops, and share expertise on the contemporary art scene in the UAE.

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of TCA Abu Dhabi, commented on the Emirati Expression series saying: “As part of the diverse outreach and development of cultural infrastructure in the UAE, it is imperative and logical that Emirati artists are supported alongside evolving projects like the various cultural & arts institutions in Abu Dhabi. Emirati Expressions and its on-going exhibition series is another key programme that presents the talent of Emirati artists through various mediums, to an interested UAE audience on an international stage. Through supporting a variety of artistic forms – not only the visual arts through exhibitions and programmes but also other cultural facets, the aim to position Emirati artists at the core of Abu Dhabi's growing art scene and to nurture and support their talents through active and continuous interaction with world art experts.”

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.

Emirati Expressions: Realised will also host Artscape Emirati: The Harmony of Art and Poetry, a special evening that will take the themes and artworks in Emirati Expressions: Realised as its starting point, will be hosted as a celebratory evening of performances, poetry readings, workshops by some of the most exhilarating artists and poets working today. This unique event will entertain audiences of all ages, whilst drawing particular focus to the UAE literary scene, a talented 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 Hassan Sharif, Dr. Abdul Karim Al Sayed, Mahmoud Al Ramahee, Ameena Dheiban, Habib Ghloum, Jamal Al Mullah, Nasser Al Dhaheri, Mariam Al Saa'edi, Khaled Al Jaberi, Rawdah Al Bloushi, 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.