Gibson Brings First-of-Their-Kind Art Exhibitions to the Middle East

‘Local Artists Commissioned to Develop Gibson Guitar Artwork for Charity

Gibson Through the Lens’ brings Historical Musical Photography to the region

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9 September 2014: Gibson Brands Inc., the global leader in music and sound, is celebrating its 120th anniversary with two extraordinary art-based exhibitions debuting in the Middle East this September.

Gibson has commissioned 18 UAE-based artists to create custom guitar artwork to commemorate the International Day of Peace, observed worldwide on 21 September, and raise money for charity. The Gibson Art Guitars will be unveiled on September 20th at the Hard Rock Café Dubai, before being displayed at The Dubai Mall for two weeks. Emirati urban artist and exhibition curator Mo Abedin, creator of the designer toy MEGA, commented “It’s very special when an iconic global brand like Gibson gets involved in the local art scene, especially when the goal is to raise money for charity. Thanks to a vibrant array of visual artists, we’re certain to see some amazing one-of-a-kind creations in the coming weeks.”

The customizations will be applied to Gibson’s 2014 Model Year guitars, which all include a distinctive, exclusive 120th Anniversary inlay at the 12th fret. There will never be another 120th Anniversary Gibson guitar manufactured after December 31, 2014.

The unveiling of the Gibson Art Guitars on Sept. 20th will be accompanied by a two-day special showing of “Gibson Through the Lens,” a globally touring photographic exhibition showcasing Gibson’s history and associated artists. The exhibition includes sixty fine art prints from world-renowned music photographers such as Baron Wolman, Mick Rock, Ross Halfin and the late Jim Marshall. These prints include classic images of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, Angus Young, Frank Zappa, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Les Paul, Elvis, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Sir Paul McCartney, Pete Townshend, Slash, Dave Grohl, Lenny Kravitz, Jon Bon Jovi, Jack White and Noel Gallagher.

According to Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Brands, “We are happy to join our friends in the Middle East to increase our involvement in the region. While Gibson has become a household name for musicians and music lovers alike, we want to bring a never-before-seen perspective of the brand to Dubai, adding a new and exciting visual artistic layer to the musical one everyone loves so much.”