Artist Ahmed Al Faresi. Courtesy Ahmed Al Faresi
Artist Ahmed Al Faresi. Courtesy Ahmed Al Faresi
Artist Ahmed Al Faresi. Courtesy Ahmed Al Faresi
Artist Ahmed Al Faresi. Courtesy Ahmed Al Faresi

My art is influenced by the landscape and history of Al Ain, says Ahmed Al Faresi


  • English
  • Arabic

The history, archaeology and landscapes of Al Ain have had a profound impact on Ahmed Al Faresi, a contemporary artist who teaches information security at UAE University in the "Garden City". The 37-year-old Emirati's most recent exhibition was a solo show at Emirates Palace titled Ancient Smoke, which was inspired by the UAE's strong cultural tradition of incense. He tells The National why Al Ain is a constant source of inspiration to him, and how simple academic techniques inform his art.

How would you describe your artistic style?

I have an academic approach to art. My artwork is usually a narrative of religious events, scientific theories, archaeological discoveries and historical accounts.

How do you take inspiration from the landscape of Al Ain?

I was born and raised in Al Ain, but I did not appreciate the city until recently. I spent almost 13 years in the United States, and when I came back to Al Ain, I saw it from a totally different perspective. I appreciated the fact that it is one of the few places on Earth that has been continuously inhabited since the Stone Age. I am fascinated with the fact that humans inhabited this area and created a clever irrigation system for their palm-tree plantations. Also of interest is the discovery of two houses from the Abbasid era on the construction site of Sheikh Khalifa Mosque. Over the past two years I have spent so much time outdoors excavating the landscape, where I found some pottery shards from the Bronze Age similar to what is currently being exhibited in Al Ain national museum. Moreover, living in Al Ain allows me to discover interesting materials that I can use in my art; materials that will otherwise be hard to find in cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Definitely my art is influenced by the landscape and history of Al Ain.

Your most recent show was in Emirates Palace. How did that come about?

This was my first solo show and was the result of two years of hard work. I was privileged to have Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, inaugurate this exhibition. In the past I have exhibited my works for the International Emerging Artist Award at Dubai International Art Centre, World Art Dubai Fair, and Portrait of a Nation exhibition by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation.

For Ancient Smoke you chose to focus your artwork on incense. Why was that?

Incense is rooted in the Gulf Arabian culture as many Emirati households still burn oud and frankincense on a daily basis. I found out that many cultures use incense in their religious rituals, and I wished to explore this phenomenon in my latest exhibition.

In this exhibition you describe each piece of art as being made up of components such as happiness, love, hurt and other emotions. Why is that?

Coming from an academic background, I am accustomed to the use of metadata [keywords] when publishing papers. It allows others to search for papers of interest. So I applied this method when describing my artwork. Each artwork for me has a meaning based on my perspective, and I translate these meanings into keywords. By doing so I am encrypting the messages in the artwork and demanding that the viewer reconstruct his or her own interpretations.

Why do you use antique objects such as guns and masks in your work?

To engage the audience in the artwork’s narrative, I rely on placing antique objects and artefacts that have a reference to the subject matter within the artwork itself. I refer to this technique as “AntJuxArt” (the juxtaposition of antiques and art). This methodology allows me to resurrect the artefacts and antiques from a dimensionless placement to one that provides a perspective.

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Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

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Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.

•   Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.

•   Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.

•   Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.

•   Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.

•   Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

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Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place

Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai

First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group

Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business

Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne

Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia

Family: Six sisters

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The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.

The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.

When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.

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Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.

Number of employees: Over 50

Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised

Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital 

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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

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  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
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1: Quinoa 

2. Bathua 

3. Amaranth 

4. Pearl and finger millet 

5. Sorghum

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Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin

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August, 2021: Host - United States; Teams - UAE, United States and Scotland

Between September and November, 2021 (dates TBC): Host - Namibia; Teams - Namibia, Oman, UAE

December, 2021: Host - UAE; Teams - UAE, Namibia, Oman

February, 2022: Hosts - Nepal; Teams - UAE, Nepal, PNG

June, 2022: Hosts - Scotland; Teams - UAE, United States, Scotland

September, 2022: Hosts - PNG; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

February, 2023: Hosts - UAE; Teams - UAE, PNG, Nepal

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Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

Rating: 4/5