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Abu Dhabi – Abu Dhabi Festival announced the launch of “Art Amid Covid”, part of the Festival’s annual “Riwaq Al Fikr” talks series. In interviews curated and directed by Jalal Luqman, Emirati artist and Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) Visual Arts Consultant, 10 visual artists in the UAE working across disciplines talk about the importance of art in the context of Covid-19 and how the pandemic has affected artists’ work and how art is experienced, as well as the ways the pandemic may have forever impacted the art industry.
A variety of established artists participated in the series: Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, Mattar Bin Lahej, Saggaf Al Hashimi, Khulood Al Jabri, Obaid Al Budoor, Dr. Najat Makki, Patricia Millns, Azza Al Qubaisi, Dr. Mohamed Yousif and Prof. Michael Rice. The diversity of Emirati and UAE-based creatives offers unique insight into the effects of the pandemic on the arts and how it forever re-shaped artists and the direction of their work. Their messages of hope highlight the value of art and artists for society in the most difficult of times.
The first in the five-episode series will be broadcasted on Tuesday, 26th January, on Abu Dhabi Festival’s website, with a new episode streamed every Tuesday at 8 p.m. (UAE time) till the 23rd February.
Her Excellency Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has reminded us all that culture and art are not optional but are an essential part of our human existence. We all have the responsibility to support the industry as a vital part of our society’s well-being.
“The resilience of artists in these difficult times has been admirable, providing inspiration and motivating us through lockdowns and isolation. Now more than ever, it is crucial that we commit to supporting artists, so that our society can endure and flourish. I hope we all unite to uplift the creative and cultural industry with one purpose for a progressive future.”
Jalal Luqman, the curator and director of the series, Emirati artist and ADMAF Visual Arts Consultant, said: “The pandemic showed that people of different walks of life turned to art to overcome difficult times. The main objective of art is to bring humanity together in a common creative space that everyone can relate to and be part of, thus giving hope to life.”
“We turned to artists in the Art Amid Covid series to better understand how the pandemic affected their work and aspirations; the series reflects ADMAF’s support for artists and commitment to the sustaining the arts to ensure a brighter and hopeful future for everyone,” he continued.
The series is part of Abu Dhabi Festival’s innovative community and education programmes. In 2021, the Festival features a unique hybrid programme of digital and in-person performances and events throughout the year.
For the complete 2021 Abu Dhabi Festival programme, visit AbuDhabiFestival.ae and follow the Festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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About Abu Dhabi Festival
Founded in 2004, Abu Dhabi Festival was initially a small arts and culture platform that soon graduated to one of the world’s premiere annual events. Held in the UAE, it celebrates artistic and creative excellence and promotes the role of music and the arts in bringing nations closer. It also promotes Abu Dhabi as a leading global hub for creativity and as an Emirati beacon for respect and tolerance.
Strengthened by a growing network of 30 international partners, the festival brings audiences together each year to enjoy world premieres and exclusive commissions in the UAE and around the world.
Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation
Founded in 1996, ADMAF is one of the oldest not-for-profit cultural organisations in the Arabian Gulf. Pioneering new artistic practices, it seeks to deepen global cross-cultural dialogue and inspire a renewed interest in the creativity of the UAE and Arab world. Often in partnership with leading national and international institutions, it delivers multidisciplinary initiatives for people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities through the Abu Dhabi Festival, year-round youth platforms and community programmes.
For more information, please visit www.admaf.org
Artist Bios
Sumayyah Al Suwaidi
A pioneering Emirati digital artist and curator, Al Suwaidi has shown her work in galleries around the world and as part of Christie’s Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art Part II and Sotheby’s London’s Three Generations exhibition.
Mattar Bin Lahej
Mattar Bin Lahej is an Emirati painter, photographer and sculptor who founded Marsam Mattar, the first art gallery in the United Arab Emirates to be managed by an artist.
Saggaf Al Hashimi
As a self-taught artist, the Al Ain-born, Saggaf spreads peace and tolerance through murals along Dubai and Abu Dhabi roads as well as in work shown in galleries that is inspired by the UAE’s culture and the history of Islam.
Khulood Al Jabri
An Emirati painter, Al Jabri’s depictions of aspects of UAE heritage and social life are as diverse as they are unique, often incorporating the presence of women either physically or appearing as if in a dream.
Obaid Al Budoor
An Emirati photographer, artist and visual storyteller, Al Budoor has worked with some of the UAE’s most important clients, both artistically and commercially, as well as hosted shows on National Geographic Arabia, and he has shown his work at venues across the country.
Dr. Najat Makki
One of the nation’s pioneering contemporary artists, Dr. Makki was the first Emirati woman to receive a scholarship to study art abroad. She won the 2013 Arab Woman Award in Arts and has been part of many international exhibitions throughout her career.
Patricia Millns
An artist, advisor and mentor, Millns has kept her studio based in the Middle East for over 38 years with an artistic practice based on identity and cultural significance defined through clothing, adornment and the olfactory heritage of the region.
Azza Al Qubaisi
An Emirati artist, jewelry designer, sculptor and product designer, Al Qubaisi is often referred to as the UAE’s first Emirati jewelry artist.
Dr. Mohamed Yousif
Artist, researcher and assistant Professor at the University of Sharjah, and co-founder of the Sharjah National Theatre, Yousif was one of the founding artists of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and has participated in numerous exhibitions, including the UAE National Pavilion at the Venice Biennial in 2015 and 2017.
Prof. Michael Rice
An Irish artist, designer, maker and educator specialising in ceramics, Rice’s work is concerned with surface, texture, natural geometry, gestalt principals and archetypal forms.
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For more information, please contact:
Rabih Saad, Hattlan Media, rabih@hattlan.com
© Press Release 2021
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