Efie Gallery started as a participant in last year’s All Africa Festival, setting up a temporary pavilion at Burj Plaza in Downtown Dubai, where it featured works by African painters and sculptors, including the acclaimed El Anatsui.
The gallery’s entry into the UAE art network, with a permanent space in Al Quoz’s Al Khayat Art Avenue, is part of a larger push by Dubai Culture to grow and promote creative industries, underscored in large part by the announcement of Al Quoz Creative Zone in April 2021.
Meant to be a hub for businesses involved in visual arts, cinema, music and heritage, the zone covers an area that is mostly industrial. Currently, Al Quoz’s typical tenants, automotive workshops and companies using warehouses for storage, are being inched out of the neighbourhood to make way for cultural enterprises.
Efie Gallery’s location, Al Khayat Art Avenue, is only the beginning of newly developed quarters around the industrial area of Al Quoz. Using its neighbour Alserkal Avenue as a model, Al Khayat Art Avenue is converting a cluster of warehouses into white cube galleries and other art spaces.
A number of galleries, including a photography studio, are set to open at the new avenue in the coming months.
For its opening on Tuesday, Efie Gallery founders — Valentina Mintah and her sons Kobi Mintah and Kwame Mintah — have organised a solo show of Anatsui’s recent works titled Shard Song, showcasing new metal hanging and wooden sculptures from 2022.
Valentina, who is Ghanaian-British, is a technology executive who saw a gap in the regional market for African art. Speaking to The National in October, she said: “We don’t want African art to be an afterthought. We want it to blossom with the art scene here.”
The establishment of Efie Gallery is part of that mission, which includes highlighting not only current artistic production in Africa, but also its rich histories.
Curated by Mae-Ling Lokko, an artist and educator at Yale University, Shard Song features a total of seven works, some of which present new elements in the artist’s practice.
Among these is the introduction of tones of purple and pink, as seen in his 2022 sculptures Rainbow Hues and Keyboard for Life. Anatsui is often known for using reds and yellows, borrowing from the traditional Ghanaian kente cloth.
After the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the artist has settled in his native Ghana, though he had previously worked in his studio in Nigeria. This move has influenced Anatsui’s use of material, particularly the difference between the hardwoods available in the two countries. Wood from Nsukka typically has intrinsic colours of red, yellow and white, but the Ghanaian hardwood possesses lighter shades of yellow, allowing the artist to play more with pigment.
In these sculptures, made with the help of assistants who scorch the planks to create patterned impressions and scars, Anatsui is alluding to brutal colonial histories in the African continent.
Shard Song also features three hanging metal sculptures, including a rehang of Detsi, which was shown at the gallery’s temporary pavilion last year, as well new works from 2022, Profile of a Country and Prodigal Son, which are being shown in public for the first time.
Shaped like a landmass, though an unrecognisable one, Profile of a Country is made with white and green medical bottle caps and sutured together with wire. On one side, modules of blue, yellow and white flattened liquor caps appear to be encroaching onto the white shape.
In addition to visual art, the gallery is also dedicated to promoting music, particularly old, rare and hard-to-find albums that may only exist in vinyl. Consequently, the second floor of the space houses Efie’s record gallery, which currently showcases a curated selection of vinyl records from Kobi and Kwame’s personal collection.
The brothers have been collecting records for the past two years and have managed to find rare albums during their travels around the world. Among them is an extremely rare record Prince of Space / Tanz der Leere from 1959 by Charles Wilp with the artist Yves Klein. It is a silent record, mimicking Klein’s minimalist visual works.
“We were interested in this marriage between music and art,” Kobi says, also saying that the gallery intends to promote many artistic disciplines.
“I realised that there was a world of music that only exists on vinyl,” Kwame says, explaining that records present a convergence of sonic and visual elements, with the cover art, as well as the importance of production.
The brothers are also collecting records of historical significance, including a vinyl of Ghanaian nationalist leader Kwame Nkrumah’s speeches titled Africa Speaks to the World. “Our history is very oratory, and a lot of it is passed on through songs and other oral traditions,” Kobi says.
Like visual art, records also have the appeal of scarcity and tangibility in an industry that is ruled by streaming services. “It’s a tangible ownership of work,” Kobi says. “There’s also this idea of passing it on from one owner to the next. It’s about the negotiation between collectors. Many collectors remember where they got their records and from who. There’s a connection to the music and the object.”
While the albums from the brothers’ collection are not for sale, a selection of other works are available at the gallery. In addition, Kobi and Kwame intend to invite other vinyl collectors to showcase their albums in the space.
Shard Song is on view until May 31. More information is available at efiegallery.com
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 1
Mata 11'
Chelsea 1
Alonso 43'
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
Race card
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (Dirt), 1,900m
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB), Dh120,000 (D), 1,400m
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB), Dh92,500 (D)1,400m
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB), Dh95,000 (D), 2,000m
The specs
Engine: 3.6 V6
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 295bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: Dh155,000
On sale: now
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
Upcoming games
SUNDAY
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)
MONDAY
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Key findings
- Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
- Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase.
- People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”.
- Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better.
- But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
