Four new exhibitions to see at Foundry in Dubai

The space includes collections from photography, multidisciplinary and experimental art

Running from September 12 until October 30, the Foundry will be showcasing work from regional and international artists. Photo: Foundry

Art enthusiasts can head down to the Foundry in Downtown Dubai to experience four new exhibitions from next month.

The space, which showcases the creations of established and emerging creatives both regionally and internationally, will be presenting new work by versatile and exciting artists.

The Dreamers by Studio Lenca

The Dreamers exhibition by Studio Lenca will explore issues of identity and displacement through a series of portraits. Photo: Foundry

The Dreamers in Gallery 8 and The Room will feature an experimental show by Studio Lenca.

Taking inspiration from Studio Lenca’s observations in the souqs of Bur Dubai and Deira, Studio Lenca will present a number of portraits with an autographical ethos that explore themes of identity displacement.

Working in a variety of mediums including painting, performance, video and sculpture, Studio Lenca is alias of the Latino artist Jose Campos. He was born in La Paz, El Salvador and fled his homeland in the 1980s owing to violent civil unrest. Having travelled to the US by land, where he lived illegally with his mother, Campos's work often focuses on ideas around identity and visibility.

The Future Past by Baber Afzal

Baber Afzal's exhibition The Future Past will showcase surreal and powerful images. Photo: Foundry

Fine art photographer, filmmaker and visual artist Baber Afzal, who is from Pakistan and lives in Dubai, will be showcasing his work in Gallery 4 in an exhibition titled The Future Past.

Afzal’s larger-than-life images, featuring stunning landscapes and architecture such as Burj Khalifa, capture the scale and greatness of his subjects.

Whether manipulating light through techniques while shooting or post-shoot, Afzal’s work is often arresting and surreal.

Dancers Soul by Stuart Lawson

The exhibition aims to showcase the emotions from dancers through still photography. Photo: Foundry

In Gallery 3, British photographer Stuart Lawson will be showing a range of mesmerising images of dancers from the Bolshoi ballet in his exhibition Dancers Soul.

Depicting dance through the visual arts seems only natural. From the costumes, dynamism and expressive movements, artists such as William Blake, Edward Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse and Keith Haring have been fascinated by the subject.

Lawson’s career has also explored the art of dance, particularly ballet, through the medium of documentation and photography, paying special attention to expressing the dancers' emotions through movement and form.

Dreams Within Dreams by Debjani Bhardwaj

Debjani Bhardwaj will showcase works of all different sizes, and mediums, at Foundry. Photo: Foundry

Indian artist Debjani Bhardwaj will be showing her striking and ornate illustrations in Gallery 5 in her solo exhibition Dreams Within Dreams.

Bhardwaj’s interest in Middle Eastern folk stories and her skill in using delicate mediums such as paper and ceramics results in charming and intricate images.

From smaller works to larger scale pieces, the physicality that Debjani applies to her work, whether cutting, slicing, tearing or piercing, is evident in the fragile mediums she works with and disguised through the perfectly composed and executed works.

The Foundry’s September exhibitions will be on show from September 12 until October 30. For more information visit: foundry.downtowndubai.ae

Quirky art in UAE restaurants — in pictures

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  A hand-painted panel representing Astro Boy at Reif Japanese Kushiyaki. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Japanese kokeshi dolls at MayaBay Dubai.

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  Blue Seafood Asia is inspired by lively Asian fish markets ...

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  ... and hard-working Asian fishermen.

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  The Trove in The Dubai Mall is replete with murals and installations from modern contemporary artists.

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  Floral throne by New York City florist Mr Flower Fantastic at The Trove.

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  A vibrantly coloured truck at Little Miss India.

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  An artwork depicting Indian elephants and monuments at Little Miss India.

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  Artist Dozi Dreams affixed 500 metallic Porsche miniatures on a canvas for DRVN by Porsche.

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  Another vibrant backdrop at DRVN by Porsche.

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  Pisco jars decorated by regional artists at Coya Dubai.

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  Notorious Cafe & Roastery in Abu Dhabi is full of frames depicting people who are either notorious in real life or on screen.