Saeed Khalifa, a digital photographer from Dubai, plays with layers to create fantastical dreamlike images; Ahmed Al Faresi, a mixed-media artist from Al Ain, uses nickel pins to represent the urbanisation of the nation; and Wafa AlQasaimi, a poet from Sharjah, works with acrylic sheets and garments to depict the colours of her heritage in an abstract form.
They are some of the 13 Emirati artists shortlisted for this year’s Emerging Emirati Artist Award. Now in its third year, the award was founded to give emerging artists an elevated platform both in the UAE and abroad.
There are two categories – Emirati and international – both awarding a two-year representation by Sabrina Amrani Gallery in Madrid, plus an exhibition at the gallery and participation at international arts fairs.
Going places
Last year’s Emirati winner, Hamad Al Falasi, a photographic artist from Dubai who created a piece entitled Emirati Colloquialisms that took words and phrases from the local dialect and immortalised them in art, travelled to Istanbul, Singapore and France with his work.
The international award-winner Pablo de Laborde Lascaris is now listed on the Saatchi Art website as well as enjoying hugely increased exposure.
As such, winning the award is a “unique opportunity”, says Rebia Naim, the director of the initiative. “This is a chance for an Emirati to benefit from a major career development and international exposure, and our partnership with Sabrina Amrani Gallery is the perfect choice, not only for their profound understanding of the Middle East region but also for their global approach to the art market and active participation in international art events,” she says.
Worldwide following
The International Emerging Artist Award (IEAA) category attracted more than 2,000 registrants from all over the world. The shortlist comprises 63 artists from five continents with a variety of art specialities that include video art, installation, drawing, photography and painting.
They include regional artists such as Hazem Mahdy from Egypt, Iranian Maryam A Ganjgah, Somaya Abdulghani from Bahrain and four artists from Pakistan.
Also in the Emirati category is a young sheikha from Abu Dhabi called Alyazia Al Nahyan. She has been shortlisted for her Carrom Station Series, where she juxtaposes the traditional game of carrom – played with small flat wooden discs – and a modern video game console, to embody the fusion of local and international culture in the Emirates.
Then there is Hamdan Al Shamsi, a multimedia artist from Al Ain, who says his art expresses “the human struggle to define ourselves, in whatever form that may take”. Al Shamsi is one of a rising generation of Emirati artists who are giving a new voice to the modern condition of young Emiratis and he was chosen because his work is of an experimental nature.
“What makes this edition different from the previous ones is the uncovering of more experimental work using both unusual materials and innovative techniques,” explains Naim.
Supportive partnerships
All shortlisted candidates will have their work broadcast on ikonoTV, a dedicated art channel based in Berlin. Elevision Media will also be displaying the shortlisted artwork on its network of digital screens throughout Dubai.
“We are delighted that with this partnership we are able to support the arts community, specifically new and upcoming artists. By partnering with IEAA we are also able to achieve our mission of providing engaging content to our viewers,” says Niall Sallam, the chief executive officer of Elevision.
The winners’ work will be unveiled and prizes will be presented in May at Dubai’s Media One Hotel.
• For a full list of the shortlisted entries and an online gallery, visit www.emergingartistaward-gallery.com
[ aseaman@thenational.ae ]
