Jalal's Art Trip 2010

Dear Art Lovers

2 years ago I initiated Jalal’s Art Trip, which was my personal way to contribute to the development of art in Abu Dhabi. The trip was designed to give the opportunity to a few art lovers who have been in need of a little push and encouragement to cross that line to having their first art exhibition.

The Details;
Take 10-15 upcoming artists on a trip to a location or two that would ignite inspiration, after which we would return to Ghaf Gallery, where for the next 6 weeks, we would work on creation of artworks inspired by the trip.

Workshops on all aspects of art and preparation for an art exhibition are conducted; guest artists are occasionally invited to share their experience with the participants.

Once all the paintings are completed and ready, they would all feature in a dedicated art exhibition that usually takes place in April at Ghaf Art Gallery.

I will sustain all expenses for the trip, and the exhibition, however the participants are responsible for all materials, printing of artwork and framing.

RULES:

1- The trip is open to all nationalities. Female or Male.
2- This trip is specifically for non-professional, non-established artists, established professionals, or applicants who have had an exhibition before or have been professionals in the art field will not be selected.
3- Since there is very limited space, a brief description accompanied by samples of work is to be submitted to Ghaf Art Gallery, ghafgallery@gmail.com, subject: Jalal's Art Trip. Emails with no samples will not be considered.
4- Only paintings inspired by the trip will be exhibited, older or unrelated paintings will not be accepted or exhibited.
5- The trip is intended only for non exhibited/non professional artists.

To download the application form please click on the link below:
http://www.ghafgallery.com/jat-application.doc

Accepting applications ends on the 20th of January 2010.

Once all participants have been confirmed the dates and locations of the trip will be set.
All joining the trip are required to sign a liability release form before commencing on the trip.

Please note that due to the large response, we are sorry that we will not be able to respond to everyone who applied, only those selected will be contacted.

For opportunities to become a sponsor please contact Ghaf Gallery for the benefits and sponsorship packages.

Thank you,
Jalal Luqman

643 days

تحت رعاية معالي الشيخ نهيان مبارك آل نهيان وزير التعليم العالي و البحث العلمي

يتشرف معرض الغاف للفن التشكيلي بدعوتكم لحضورمعرض

للفنانة ريم الزعبي 643 يوم

حفل الافتتاح يوم الأحد 20 ديسمبرفي الساعة الثامنة مساءً

و يستمر المعرض لغاية 30 ديسمبر 2009

Under the Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Ghaf Art Gallery cordially invites you to attend the exhibition

643 Days by Reem Al Zouabi

Opening reception on Sunday 20th of December at 8pm

Exhibition continues till the 30th of December 2009

For more information call 02-6655332

Random Minutes

يتشرف معرض الغاف للفن التشكيلي بدعوتكم لحضور المعرض الفوتوغرافي

دقائق عشوائية

للفنانة سلامه المنصوري

Ghaf Art Gallery Cordially Invites you to attend photography exhibition

Random Minutes

by Salama Al Mansouri

حفل الإفتتاح يوم الأحد 6 ديسمبرفي تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً ويستمر المعرض لغاية 16 ديسمبر 2009

opening reception on Sunday 6th of December at 8pm

Exhibition continues until 16th of December 2009

For more information please call the gallery at 02-6655332

Under A Thousand Masks

Ghaf Art Gallery cordially invites you
In the presence of HE Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo
Founder of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation
to attend the exhibition

Under A Thousand Masks
By Jalal Luqman

Opening reception on Monday 9th of November at 8pm
Exhibition continues till the 30th of November 2009

Jalal Luqman Live at the F1 fan zone 16th -18th of October

Ghaf Art Gallery is proud to invite you to come and witness

Jalal Luqman's live performance at the Formula 1 Fan Zone on the Abu Dhabi Corniche.

Jalal will be applying his digital painting onto a life size F1 replica, along with a detailed video showing the process. For more information go to the page on the Yasalam micro site http://www.yasalam.ae/yasalam/accross-the-city/the-art-of-racing/jalal-luqman/ or http://www.jalal-luqman.com/

Hope to see you there.

Bonjour la France

Ghaf Art Gallery invites you to our booth C14/C15/C17/C18

at the "Bonjour la France" exhibition

at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), Hall 1

Opening reception on Wednesday 30th September at 9am

Come witness the works of Azza Al Qubaisi, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, Wasel Safwan, Sara Al Shikar, Mohamed Kanoo and Jalal Luqman

Exhibition continues till the 3rd of October 2009

Visiting hours 30th Sep - 3rd Oct; 2pm - 10pm

We will be at the stand on the 30th Sep at 9am and everyday from 5 – 10pm

For directions please visit: http://www.adnec.ae/exhibitor/travel/

Rebuilding Afghanistan: a global responsibility

تحت رعاية سعادة خيلس بشخور بلوخ

السفير الهولندي في الإمارات

يتشرف معرض الغاف للفن التشكيلي بدعوتكم لحضور المعرض الفوتوغرافي

إعادة بناء أفغانستان: مسؤولية عالمية

للفنان: هانس ستاكلبيك

حفل الافتتاح يوم الأحد 4 اكتوبر الساعة الثامنة مساءً
و يستمر لغاية 19 اكتوبر2009

للإستفسار الرجاء الإتصال على 6655332-02

Under the Patronage of HE Gilles Beschoor Plug

Ambassador of The Kingdom of The Netherlands to the UAE

Ghaf Art Gallery cordially invites you to attend the photography exhibition

Rebuilding Afghanistan: a global responsibility

Artist: Hans Stakelbeek

Opening reception on Sunday 4th of October at 8pm

Exhibition continues till the 19th October 2009­­­­­­­­

For more information please call 02-6655332

Eid Greetings

Eid Greetings from all of us at Ghaf Art Gallery

The gallery will be closed during the 1st and 2nd days of Eid
Visiting hours 9am - 1pm & 5 - 9pm,

Saturday - Thursday; Friday closed
Thank you and Happy Eid

UAE Digital Photography Exhibition

UAEU DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

Organized by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF)

More than 40 digital photographs taken by male and female students of the UAE University will be on display from the 13th to the 26th of September 2009 at the Ghaf Gallery in Abu Dhabi. This unique exhibition is the result of student participation in a recent series of master classes in digital photography by visiting artists-in-residence, Bruce West and Gwen Walstrand of Missouri State University. Mr. Simon Bold assisted the students with the digital printing. This event is part of the Seminars in Mastering the Arts (smART) hosted by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, with the generous support of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). Students oversaw all aspects of the production of their art, from initial idea to final printing. The photographs show a wide range of subjects, topics, and perspectives while demonstrating students' creativity and skills.

Ramadan Art Bazaar

Artists: Jalal Luqman, Mohamed Kanoo, Taha Al hiti, Mattar Bin Lahej, Nassim Al Majid, Khulood Al Jaberi, Eman Fahad, Sahar Sharif, Fatima Mohamed, Waleed Al Temimi, Nabeel Al Mehairbi, Sara Al Shikar, Rawya Al Malik, Farid Al Rayes, AHmed Al Shehhi, Tania Beaumont, Emily Gordon, Neena Rai, Nahida Raza, Yamam Sami, Dhabia Jumaa, Ines Landmesser, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi

Exhibition Title: Ramadan Art Bazaar

Exhibition Date: 23-8-2009

Desert Rose 2009

Artists: HCT Commtech Students
Exhibition Title: Desert Rose 2009
Exhibition Date: 1-6-2009

Bicho - Creatures

Artist: Cynthia Capriata

Exhibition Title: Bicho - Creatures

Exhibition Date: 13-5-2009

Ghaf Art Gallery is pleased to present Bicho- Creatures, Cynthia Capriata’s latest work based on a unique interpretation of the body and its surrounding influences. The title of the exhibition takes its name from crochet soft sculptures the artist has been making intermittently for the past 20 years. Bicho refers in Spanish to an unidentified creature and in the context of the work to a subversive presence, a negative influence, a limitation or a weakness.In her work, Cynthia Capriata is concerned with the visual reshaping of inner and outer worlds by exploring the relation of the self and the environment. This exhibition combines both perspectives. Organic fragments from within or ethereal circles in motion as outer forces build a dialogue between internal/external, private/public, individual/ collective, visible/invisible spaces through the framework of the body, thus developing a distinct visual language that addresses female, cultural and sexual identities.The inner creative reality of this series deals with textures and constructed surfaces made by knitting or crochet. It is a reflective view from the inside out that tackles the changing relationship we can have with the same body; or the changing body that influences our sense of self in relation to the outer world. One can think of these works as abstract self-portraits that conceal multiple sensations such as anger, pain, pleasure, vulnerability, strength, and survival. The layers of complexity expressed through the materiality of the medium represent an evolving physical self, not just shifting psychological or emotional position.By contrast, the process of transformation of the outer perspective focuses on keeping a transparency of form and color. Repeated circles create patterns in motion that allow opportunity for the in-betweenness of space and experience. The aesthetic proposal for the exhibition is based on the magnetic attraction or contradiction between these two perspectives. Bicho Creatures in its Abu Dhabi version binds together a growing and boundless concept of self seen as the continual becoming of something new and outer forces outside the range of the tangible.

The 3rd Photojournalism Exhibition

Artists: Zayed University Students

Exhibition Title: 3rd Photojournalism Exhibition

Exhibition Date: 28-4-2009

S.E.N.S.E

Artists: Sophie Mutze, Erin Crandell, Nicholas Clark, Saif Latif, Emma Baker

Exhibition Title: S.E.N.S.E

Exhibition Date: 19-4-2009

I am proud to present an impressive display of student talent from the American Community School of Abu Dhabi that demonstrates creative skill far beyond the young artists’ years. The Senior Art Exhibition is an annual event at ACS, featuring the work of International Baccalaureate senior art students.
My students and I are honored that this year we have the privilege of displaying student art works at a professional art gallery. I want to thank the Ghaf Art Gallery for the trust and the opportunity that they have given the young international ACS artists.
The art exhibition S.E.N.S.E, has two years’ worth of artwork of five students who are either diploma or certificate [candidates] of the IB program. The theme, around which students focused their artwork over a period of two years, was “journey.” These journeys were connected to a specific theme that each artist chose as a focus for their artwork. This year’s class of IB art chose a wide variety of themes, ranging from our environment, to showcasing personal growth as artists, and individual exploration of the visual arts within other cultural contexts.
Emma Baker chose her connection to Australia and also the life of a young woman. Erin Crandell’s theme was how humans interact with nature. Nicholas Clark chose sound, in particular, music. Saif Latif worked on the human condition and emotion. Sophie Murze focused on the cultural/emotional conflict she is facing as a young woman from Germany as well as her passion for horses.
The show presents a wide array of studio work. The investigation of new media, techniques and ideas is clearly evident in the myriad of the variety of work on display. They include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, silkscreen, photography and digital film.
Along with the studio work the students have kept a written visual art journal (Investigation Workbooks) to plan, record progress, critique their studio projects, and research other artists, cultures and periods of art history that relate to their chosen theme(s).

We sincerely hope that you enjoy the exhibition.
Sylviane De Roquebrune American community School, High School Art Instructor

Jalal’s Art Trip 2009

Artists: Afra Al Mehairi, Fatima Al Shamsi, Fawz Kabra, Gemma Champ, Marian Richordson, Nabeel Al Mehairbi, Panna, Taher, Rahma Al Mehairbi, Sascha Ritter, Shaqra Al Hameli, Shaima Al Maisari, Waleed Al Temimi

Exhibition Title: Jalal's Art Trip 2009

Exhibition Date: 5-4-2009

In an exhibition by the bright, up-and-coming Artists
of Abu Dhabi, Artist Jalal Luqman proudly presents, “Jalal’s Art Trip 2009” . An exhibition of artwork inspired by a trip to the old abandoned town of Jazirat Al Hamra, the exhibition “Jalal’s Art Trip 2009” will include painting, photography, photo manipulation, digital painting, calligraphy and mixed media. The opening reception is on 5th April 2009 and the exhibition continues till the 15th April 2009. The participating artists are (in alphabetical order) Afra Al Mehairi (UAE), Fatima Al Shamsi (UAE), Fawz Kabra (Palestine/Canada), Gemma Champ (UK), Marian Richardson (Ireland), Nabeel Khalfan Al-Mehairbi (UAE), Panna Taher (UK/Bangladesh), Rahma Al Mehairbi (UAE), Sascha Ritter (Germany), Shaqra Al-Hameli (UAE), Shaima Al Maisari (UAE), Waleed Khalid Al-Temimi (Iraq/UK).
“Jalal’s Art Trip 2009”, from concept to completion, is the brainchild of the Emirati artist Jalal Luqman. The project stems from his desire to promote art in Abu Dhabi by giving the opportunity to emerging artists in the Middle East to have an exhibition completely sponsored by him.In order to facilitate this, Jalal Luqman initiated an annual event called ‘Jalal’s Art Trip’, during which a select few artists resident in the U.A.E. would go to a location or two to ignite inspiration. The trip was only open to emerging artists who had not yet held a solo exhibition and needed push and encouragement to establish themselves in the art world.
Although Jalal received more than 300 responses for the trip, from as far afield as the US and Greece, and hundreds more from professional artists who wanted to join the trip, just 12 artists were finally selected.
After the trip, over the next five to six weeks the artists are required to create works of art inspired solely by their individual experiences on the trip. The whole trip and every subsequent meeting were filmed, to document 'The Process' that is involved in creating an artwork, from the point of inspiration to the framing and exhibition of work and all that comes in between. This is done to foster a deeper understanding between the artists and the public. A small video of ‘The Process’ will be shown on the exhibition opening night.
Patron: Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF)
Supporters: Ghaf Art GallerySotheby’sDynamic Motion
Media Partner: O2 Marketing Communications

Dia Al Azzawi

Artist: Dia Al Azzawi
Exhibition Title: Part of the 6th Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Festival
Exhibition Date: 21-3-2009

Born and raised in Iraq, Azzawi has lived in London since 1976, where he has successfully created his own identity in the discerning circles of the mainstream art world, despite choosing to express himself in a style that is essentially Arab. Azzawi graduated with a degree in archaeology from Baghdad University in 1962. While training to be an archaeologist, he realized that he actually wanted to spend the rest of his life painting. Azzawi went back to university to earn another degree in Fine Arts in 1964.Considered as one of the finest colourists among contemporary Iraqi artists, Azzawi's paintings echo the resplendent colours of his homeland. Unconcerned with the western penchant for sober pastels, the London-based Iraqi artist continues to make daring use of sizzling reds and bold purples in his paintings - rich colours that are, as per his own admission, very Arab, like him. "I may be British on paper, but in reality I'm an Arab. The colours I use are also Arab”, admits the artist candidly. Over the decades, Azzawi has built up an international reputation as a brilliant artist and his work has been exhibited extensively in Europe, the Middle East, the USA and India. His paintings occupy pride of place in prestigious places such as the British Museum in London, the Library of Congress in Washington DC, the Museums of Modem Art in Damascus, Amman and Tunisia and the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. A few years ago, his work received a distinct seal of approval from none other than the top French fashion designer Pierre Cardin, who saw Azzawi's work at an exhibition in Paris, and bought two of his paintings, which he later displayed as centerpieces in his own fashion show. And to think that Azzawi almost became an archaeologist, instead of an artist! A full-time artist, Azzawi has been residing in London for more than 25 years. The long exile has certainly not diluted his passion for his homeland, but even though he remains tied to his soil and its culture, he has also grown new roots to help him find his feet and stand tall among the contemporary artists living abroad.

Generation Layers

Artists: Janine & Julia Ibbini
Exhibition Title: Generation Layers
Exhibition Date: 16-2-2009

A unique exhibition showcasing the work of two artists spanning two generations of the same family.
In their first dedicated exhibition as mother and daughter, ‘Generation Layers’ is an exploration by Janine and Julia Ibbini on the vibrant social and physical landscapes of the UAE and Middle East region.
Janine Ibbini has been working with different art forms for most of her life but in 1990 she began to combine her love of fabric and thread with her passion for exploring self-expression through art.
Julia Ibbini (Janine’s daughter), a Leeds College of Art graduate, also spent several years exploring different mediums before she settled on the application and combination of mixing traditional mediums with computer software and now builds her work around a technique she terms “Freeform Digital Art”.
“What’s interesting about our work is that, when shown side by side, the fact that although we work independently from each others ideas and in quite different mediums, there are common threads that seem to appear and continue through all the pieces,” says Janine. “We both express ourselves and our subject matters through layer upon layer of intricate details to produce the final works and although we work fairly independently, we have a very close relationship and so I suppose it is not too surprising at how much the end results complement each other,” added Julia.
“I find an endless source of subject matter in the UAE alone – be it walking on an island off the coast or simply on the streets of the cities across the country. My work is like a diary of my experiences (internal or external). Each piece tells a story through the layers upon layers of elements that I build into them. I tend to focus on the minute details, photographing or painting over a period of weeks and then build these pieces up in a collage-like fashion to create a final piece that echoes my thoughts and feelings,” says Julia. “I’ve spent the majority of my life here in the UAE and much my work draws on the vibrancy and pace of change that I’ve witnessed here over the past 25 years,” she adds.
“Pattern and colours in both the natural and man-made world provide inspiration sources for me,” says Janine. What’s key in working with textiles is the patience required to spend many hours working with the fabric to produce an end result that conveys a message - but that’s part of the reason I love textile art; it’s about the process as much as the final piece.
“Working and sharing art experiences with Julia has brought a great deal of joy to my life and has helped both of us develop further as artists. Being an artist is so much more fulfilling when you are able to find like-minded people to share your passion with – so working as mother and daughter is an endless source of inspiration,” adds Janine.
About Janine IbbiniJanine Ibbini has lived in the Middle East for 30 years, 28 of those in the UAE, and her work is influenced by the people, the culture and the landscapes she experiences here. Janine’s pieces involve numerous layers of fabrics and stitching, with a piece taking hours, days and sometimes weeks to complete.
Janine enjoys teaching and sharing her knowledge with others. An active member of the textile arts community, Janine has exhibited across the Middle East, in the UK and in Switzerland winning numerous awards. She has also curated a number of exhibitions focusing on textile art.
About Julia IbbiniJulia Ibbini is a freeform digital artist. ‘Freeform’ because she incorporates numerous mediums such as ink, charcoal, clay and paint with digital photography and then layers imagery over and over again using computer software until the final piece is created. She is very much a fan of colour, light and movement; if art’s intention is to elicit a response – Julia achieves that through vividness in her work.
A long-time resident of the UAE, Julia was schooled in Abu Dhabi before being accepted into Leeds College of Art & Design, Leeds University (UK), in 1998. Julia’s work can be found across numerous homes, corporate offices and hotels in the region.

Back To The Future

Artists: Arman Stepanian & Koriun Sarkissian

Exhibition Title: Back To The Future

Exhibition Date: 2/2/2009

Arman Stepanian was born in 1956, in Abadan, Iran. After completion of his high school studies, Arman developed an interest in graphic design and was admitted to Tehran University Fine Arts Department and obtained his Bachelor Degree in 1979.
Mr. Stepanian’s passion for photography led him to be involved in a very extensive research programme regarding the history of photography. After his completion of the research, he was fascinated with what he could discover in the world of photography and in 1998, started his career as a professional photographer. His vision was to bring back to life the work and art of legendary poets and artists, thus creating a pathway to the future. Arman uses his camera as a tool to create a way to bring out his own inner feelings and thoughts towards the human experiences of worry and sadness. Even though Arman received his degree in the 70’s, he is considered as a modern and subjective artist, which is the main difference between him and many other artists who work in a similar field.
Exhibitions:
Electra Gallery, Paris 2001 Silk Road Gallery, Tehran 2002 Melina Mercury Cultural Complex, Cyprus 2002 Thessaloniki Museum, Greece 2002 Silk Road Gallery, Tehran 2003 Silk Road Gallery, Tehran 2006 Silk Road Gallery, Tehran 2007 United States Of America (14 states) 2004 – 2007

First Appearances

Artists: Chritch, Courtney Radl Perroco, Elwin Buchel, Emily Gordon, Julia Ibbini, Janine Ibbini, Judy Roberts, Linda Stephanian, Neena Rai, Tania Beaumont

Exhibition Title: First Appearances

Exhibition Date: 18/1/2009

Fanaan is taking ‘art’ by the grassroots
With designs on becoming an arts and cultural capital and leading destination in the Middle East for world-leading museums and galleries, Abu Dhabi’s aims are also inspiring locally-based artists to take bolder steps towards organizing art projects and shows on a more ‘grassroots’ level – with groups like Fanaan looking to lead the way.
Founded earlier this year, Fanaan, (literally meaning “artist” in Arabic) is a group of Abu Dhabi-based artists who have come together with the purpose of bringing together and cultivating an artistic community in the UAE capital.
Fanaan is currently comprised of 10 artists from a diverse range of backgrounds including Emily Gordon, Elwin Buchel, Julia Ibbini, Janine Ibbini, Linda Stephanian, Judy Roberts, Chritch, Neena Rai, Tania Beaumont and Courtney Radl Perrocco.
The group’s inaugural exhibition – entitled First Appearances will be held at the Ghaf Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi, from the 18th – 29th January 2009 – is set to exhibit the true mix of the group’s artistic diversity including contemporary paintings, photography, digital art, sculpture and textile art.

Spectrums

Artists: Mohamed Yousef Dayoub
Exhibition Title: Spectrums
Exhibition Date: 6/1/2009

Download the original attachmentIn this personal exhibition, I dedicated a special occasion to celebrate Damascus as a chosen capital for the Arabic culture in 2008. During my residence in Abu Dhabi , I have been influenced and aspired to produce a creative mixture of the present visions and those spiritual shadows that have been dwelt in my memory. Far from realistic methods of painting, my new works were, to a certain degree, aspects or features of symbolism. This denotes that I was haunted by dreamlike visions of the places floating within my memory rather than the places themselves.
However, my approach to deal with a special process of colours was deeply affected by prenotions of search, whether by means of technique or through discovering new trends of colours. In addition to Damascus and its ardent visions which are still alive in my memory, there are many other cities and places which keep warm corners within my heart. When I try to draw a piece of art related to a certain dwelling or any place, a lot of nice reminiscences and shadows would come along in my mind. Ma'loula is the most important place I had ever known in an early stage of my professional life. Although I have not visited it since 1982, I still keep in mind very dear features of that rich experience; I had, then, a very inspiring opportunity to participate in an Art Camp which had been held in that special paradise of the soul. Notwithstanding the grave changes and destructions which the town has gone through because of the trading obsession of the new style of life and building, I try to keep its old beauty shining in my mind as vivid and alive as I saw it once before.
The most important question in this experience is that I did not abandon the way of treating the faces which I consider crucial in my works. Although they are few in this exhibition, the place symbolism overwhelmed those faces which I dedicated a special hall to display them in. Another hall was dedicated for my old works to link between what I had been and my new experience. The Visions Exhibition at Ghaf Art Gallery is completely the outcome of my new experience. In this exhibition, only 9 paintings, out of the 51 displayed works, are old; yet they are all implied the same artistic theme.
Most of the works are displayed for the first time. As a new experience, I sought to show a sense of astonishment and a passion for the place and its psychological influences. I specify here the old houses of which I am so fond that their magic captures my feelings and guide me while I am drawing. This is a special kind of mystic relationship between human beings and the place; it might be only found in the East.

Paintings by Hamza Bounoua

Artists: Hamza Bounoua

Exhibition Title: Paintings by Hamza Bounoua

Exhibition Date: 23/11/2008

U.A.E. showcasing Hamza Bounoua’s creative excellence.
Under the Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Meem Gallery, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage and Ghaf Art Gallery, proudly presents an exhibition by prominent Arab artist, Hamza Bounoua.
Born in Algeria in 1979, Hamza Bounoua studied at the Fine Art Institute of Algiers. His work is inspired by Berber, Al-Andalus, Maghribi and Islamic art. Hamza Bounoua has a fabulous capability in controlling the dynamic of space and letter in his art work. He mastered the techniques and skills of colour-mixture. His work represents reality, not just in ideas, but also in respecting the details of this reality through the harmony of the space and the subject, utilizing the coordination of colors.
Bounoua’s pieces of art represent the path of the new generation of Arab artists, but are differentiated with its uniqueness. His style in itself expresses the creative ambitions of the youth of Algeria and the youth of the Arab peoples. “In recent times, Arab art gained a much deeper meaning, since it became the best spoken ambassador to the western courts. Art is our common language, our strongest links between two worlds thought to be so different, yet proved to be so close, through art. For these reasons, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation does not cease to encourage and support Arab artists such as Hamza Bounoua” says Hoda Al-Khamis Kanoo, ADMAF Founder.
Bounoua has exhibited in Kuwait, Brazil, Canada, Jordan, Bosnia, Bahrain, France and England. He was awarded 1st prize in the Mediterranean Sea Art Award, Marseille (2001) and the International Euro-Algerian Art Conference, Belgium (2001). In 2007, he had a solo exhibition at the Modern Art Museum in Algiers to celebrate Algiers as the Arab Capital of Culture. He is regarded as the leading up and coming artist of Algeria by Algeria – as highlighted by the 2007 show.
Hamza’s superb work and creative excellence will be presented for the first time in the United Arab Emirates, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The exhibition will commence on:
In Abu Dhabi Sunday 23rd November 2008 at 8pm at the Ghaf Art Gallery, and will continue until Thursday 11th December 2008.
In Dubai, the Meem Gallery will showcase Bounoua’s work from Tuesday 25th November 2008 to Friday 16th January 2009.

Arab Print

Artist: Ali Omar Ermes, Nja Mahdaoui, Jamal Abdul Rahim, Laila Shawa, Mona Saudi

Exhibition Title: Arab Print

Exhibition Date: 13/11/2008

"Arab print" A celebration of printmaking by Arab Artists of today and yesterday.
For immediate release…Under the Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Meem Gallery, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage and Ghaf Art Gallery, proudly present Arab Print Exhibition, showcasing printmaking work of prominent Arab artists. The concept behind this project was first developed in 2007, when it was clear to many within the Modern Arabic art community, there was a collection of work that, while previously celebrated in the 80's and the 90's, was becoming ignored and forgotten, this being printmaking by Arab artists.The need to express ideas and feelings in graphic terms has been strong in the twentieth century, which has seen an expansion of interest in the uses of printmaking as an art form. In the course of this century and particularly since World War II, the influence of Western art has been absorbed by Arab artists. There are links between the modernist stress on art, and the Islamic tradition of abstract design. The exploration of ancient and innovative graphic techniques seems especially suited to the linear strength and expressive vision of contemporary Arab artists. In the Middle East original prints are just beginning to be recognized and collected; and Arab artists, in contrast to Western printmakers, tend only to produce small editions of their work. The outstanding imaginative force and technical expertise of many Arab printmakers may come as something of a surprise to Western and Middle Eastern collectors.Some Arab artists, however, have built up considerable reputations through individual exhibitions in their native countries, Europe and elsewhere by their representation in the international contemporary art fairs and biennales. Outstanding among these for their graphic works are the artists represented in this show. A few of these have had successful individual shows in London and all have been represented in the pioneering group shows of contemporary Arab art at the Iraqi Cultural Center; but in general, their work remains little known here. At the beginning of 2008, a plan was put into place to exhibit the series noted for their importance to the fabric of modern Arabic culture, with 3 to 4 series to be exhibited in each exhibition/ volume.The collection contained in Volume 1 contains a series of works, regarded by leading collectors of Modern Arab Art, as some of the most important complete series - these being The Petra Tablets by Mona Saudi - the internationally recognized Lebanese Sculptress, the Red Square series by the Tunisian painter Nja Mahdaoui, The Walls of Gaza by Laila Shawa, Fairuz by Jamal Abdul Rahim and Harf Al Kaf and Blue Haa by Ali Omar Ermes - with the Harf Al Kaf lithograph held in the Islamic collection of LACMA in Los Angeles - the Internationally respected Museum.All the work exhibited for Arab Print Volume 1, have been produced using the screenprint technique, a form of lithography. Further volumes of Arab Print will include the work of Dr Ahmed Moustafa, Dia Azzawi, Mohammed Melehi, Rafa Al Nasiri, Issam El Said and leading Arab artists and printmakers.The Arab Print exhibition will commence on Thursday 13th November 2008 at 8pm at the Ghaf Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi, and will continue until Thursday 20th November 2008. Beside the exhibition, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation developed an educational program in which artists Jamal Abdul Rahim and Mona Saudi will share their experience and knowledge with students of leading Universities in Abu Dhabi.

Open Space

Artist: Ines A. Landmesser

Exhibition Title: Open Space

Exhibition Date: 01/11/2008

In her new work for her 'Open Space' exhibition German born artist Ines A. Landmesser reflects the fast growth and developments of the Emirates andespecially Abu Dhabi. At the same time she portraits personal and social themes by creating individual so called open spaces.
Although red is the dominant color in many of her abstract and semi-abstract works,she uses earth colors and warm bronze and golden tints in her oilbar theme- paintings. A special layering technique adds depths to various images and creates a stimulating richt exture. -'' Painting is more than just an image - the inside should be discovered by the viewer to absorb her/his own impression of the work and discover their very own connection to the meaning of the painting. '
She has been commissioned to produce paintings for corporate spaces by variousreputed companies and prestigious institutions and contributed to the CamelCaravan und Arabian Horse projects in the Emirates. Ines is a member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and joined many exhibitions in theSharjah Museum where she received a major prize for her work in 2001. In 2005 she exhibited in the Women's Biennial Sharjah. Since several yearsshe holds regular solo exhibitions and joined exhibitions in the UAE and Germany showcasing her paintings and ceramic work.
In her new work for her 'Open Space' exhibition German born artist Ines A. Landmesser reflects the fast growth and developments of the Emirates andespecially Abu Dhabi. At the same time she portraits personal and social themes by creating individual so called open spaces.
Although red is the dominant color in many of her abstract and semi-abstract works,she uses earth colors and warm bronze and golden tints in her oilbar theme- paintings. A special layering technique adds depths to various images and creates a stimulating richt exture. -'' Painting is more than just an image - the inside should be discovered by the viewer to absorb her/his own impression of the work and discover their very own connection to the meaning of the painting. '
She has been commissioned to produce paintings for corporate spaces by variousreputed companies and prestigious institutions and contributed to the CamelCaravan und Arabian Horse projects in the Emirates. Ines is a member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and joined many exhibitions in theSharjah Museum where she received a major prize for her work in 2001. In 2005 she exhibited in the Women's Biennial Sharjah. Since several yearsshe holds regular solo exhibitions and joined exhibitions in the UAE and Germany showcasing her paintings and ceramic work.

The Art of Mexico Revealed

Curated by: Vida de Diego Arozamena, Acento Gallery

Exhibition Title: The Art of Mexico Revealed

Exhibition Date:18/10/2008

Under the Patronage of The General Consulate of Mexico in Dubai, Mr. Francisco Alonso
"The Art of Mexico Revealed" will showcase Mexican art from Great Masters of Mexican Folk Art to a selection of internationally known contemporary artists. Diverse, colourful and magical like Mexico itself, the exhibition will display the natural inclination of Mexicans through artistic output across the ages, to adorn daily life with art. The exhibition will show a variety of artistic talent in sculptures, paintings and object art created in this country which reflect the cultural lifestyles, colours and character from different areas in Mexico.

Georg Riha's photography exhibition

Artist: Georg Riha

Exhibition Title: Georg Riha's photography exhibition

Exhibition Date:06/10/2008

Under the Patronage of HE Minister Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al OwaisMinister of Culture, Youth and Community Development
Ghaf Art Gallery cordially invites you to the photography exhibition by Austrian artist Georg Riha on 6th of Oct, 2008. The exhibition continues till 15th of October, 2008.
This exhibition is sponsored by The Austrian Embassy in Abu Dhabi
Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, 2008Approx. 30 years ago Georg Riha was working as photographer for Austrian industrial enterprises in the Arabian Emirates, where he took pictures of the desert, the Dhaus and of the growing Dubai. Having the chance to fly with a helicopter enabled him to create unique pictures offering new perspectives. It was in the 70ies already his preferred themes have been nature, architecture and industry. The exhibition shows photographs of Austria as a contrast to historical pictures of the Arabian Emirates in three groups of subjects: the desert - Austrian landscapes, Dhaus at the beach of Dubai - industrial photographs from Austria, and aerial photographs of Dubai - Austrian architecture. Seize of each photograph : 1x1m.

Ramadan Silent Bidding Auction

Artist: Jalal Luqman, Mohamed Kanoo, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, Fayza Mubarak & Amina Rizk

Exhibition Title: Ramadan Silent Bidding Auction

Exhibition Date:07/09/2008

On the occasion of the holy month of ramadan The Ghaf Art Gallery is proud to invite you to an interesting exhibtion featuring the art of Jalal Luqman, Mohamed Kanoo, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, Fayza Mubarak & Amina Rizk.And as expected from this group of well established artists, the paintings will have a variety of moods and styles all of which have been the signature of each individual artist, Amina Rizk Al Haskouri, will exhibit her magical Ghutras and Burgas in her unique style, Mohamed Kanoo, takes us back to the pop art era with his nostalgic collection of bright colors whipped together with hidden and secret messages within each.Fayza Mubarak, showing her book art, which redefines the term "you know a book by it's Cover"Sumayyah Al Suwaidi weaving her images together to dazzle us with worlds of sentiment and romance.Jalal Luqman, taking us on cerebral journeys through his deep often dark worlds of digital art.The exhibition is an opportunity to revisit your favorite artists and have the chance to own a unique original work of art at a special Ramadan price.The auction will be conducted by having a sheet of paper hung beside every painting with the starting bidding price and the immediate buying price for people who don't want to wait.The works that will be displayed are so dynamic and various that every person who will attend the auction will surely find a piece of art that talks to him/her.

Oasis Dreams

Artist: Maria Ralko & Stanislav Adamenko

Exhibition Title: Oasis Dreams

Exhibition Date: 24/08/2008

History knows works not only of separate persons, but also examples of effective cooperation of talented artists who have been fruitfully working on one theme or on the creation of the same architectural ensemble.In contemporary Ukrainian art the evidence of such bright cooperation is the joint work of academicians of Ukrainian Academy of architecture, People's Artists of Ukraine, Winners of the State Prize of Ukraine, Holders of the Award "For Merits" Stanislav Adamenko and Maria Ralko and their son - a young artist and architect Alexander Adamenko. An important stage in their creative work became an extremely original multiple work of the renewal and enrichment of architectural-artistic design of interiors during the reconstruction of the National Opera House of Ukraine.For the Palace of Culture "Ukraine" the Adamenko-Ralko participates in the designing process of the representation premises, decorative cut-glass and metal compositions and their realization.Under their management an important task concerning the design and reconstruction or interiors of Multipurpose Complex and Negotiations Hall in Administrative building on Bankova Street in Kyiv was successfully fulfilled. They worked out the draft of reconstruction and a perspective development of "The President-hotel - Kyivskiy".The artists participated many times in international and Ukrainian competitions to create projects of monuments, memorials and complex urban development. They are authorized to prepare a draft for the Mariinskiy Palace, an outstanding monument of architecture in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, which is now under the reconstruction.

Abdulla Al Muharraqi Painting Exhibition

Artist: Abdulla Al Muharraqi

Exhibition Title: Abdulla Al Muharraqi Painting Exhibition

Exhibition Date:22/07/2008

"The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation in association with Meem Gallery, Ghaf Art Gallery and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage, proudly present an exhibition of the works of Abdulla Al Muharraqi, featuring a journey with the artist"
Abdulla Al Muharraqi
Born in Manama in 1939 Abdulla Al Muharraqi grew up close to the sea which later inspired his art. Accompanying his father on many a sea bound journeys in the Arabian Gulf; he became attached to the maritime life.
Abdulla Al Muharraqi's talent for drawing was first recognized by his teachers at primary school. He was one of the few talented students who continued to draw. Encouraged by his principal, his organized a special exhibition for his sketches and drawings at the end of each year. By the age of 12, Al Muharraqi had already gained the title of artist. When he reached high school he continued to get support from his school principal and began earning from the sale of his paintings at the annual exhibitions.
In 1955 Abdulla travelled to Egypt to study art at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo before graduating from the University of Damascus in 1971 with a first division honors degree in Decorative Arts.
From 1964 to 1989 Al Muharraqi was appointed as art adviser to the Ministry of Information in Bahrain, a position he held again years later at the Royal Court. Al Muharraqi is also a cartoonist and his works have appeared in Akhbar Al Khaleej in Bahrain since 1976 and in Al Bayan in Dubai from 1989 till 2005. Over the years he has designed many of Bahrain's official decorations and identity for companies and organizations.
Abdulla won his first award in a competition for designing the official logo of the UAE which is in use till date. He has also designed most of Bahrain's postage stamps since 1970. He won the first award at the Fine Art Exhibition for Bahraini artists in 1973. He was awarded the Grollo Doro International award in Italy, 1980, for his painting titled 'the tragedy of divers, the Gold Medal Award from the French Art Society in 1983. He was the first recipient of the State of Bahrain Award for the Arts in 1985, given to him by the prime minister. He won the Jury Award in the 26th Exhibition of Fine Art in Bahrain in 1997, the Al Dana Award in Bahrain's Art Exhibition in 2006, and recognition for his work as an artist and cartoonist at the Arab Businessman Award in the International Economy Forum in Sharam Al Sheikh in 2006. He is also the recipient of the Royal skill Decoration from His Majesty, the King of Bahrain in 2007, the Media Creativity Decoration and Award from the Arab media gathering in Kuwait in 2008 and has received much recognition from the association designated with Bahraini pioneers and creatives in2008.
Abdulla Al Muharraqi shared his works with the world at several solo exhibitions in Bahrain and abroad.
Bahrain 1975- 1977Kuwait 1981 - 1983London 1970 - 1993Abu Dhabi 1989Muscat 1991Sharjah 1983Doha 2005
He has also participated in exhibitions in Bahrain, Algeria, Kuwait, Doha, Sharjah, Jeddah, Baghdad, Damascus, Korea, Singapore, Rome, and Paris
When Al Muharraqi started drawings he depicted the traditions of Bahrain and the customs of the Gulf using realism as a style to capture the true essence of colors and shapes as well as allowing metaphors to enrich and deepen his messages.
The life of divers in forgotten times formed the majority of his works and he was keen to emphasize on the challenges and dangers which our ancestors had to deal with to survive in the unpredictable waters.

Abdulla Al Muharraqi Painting Exhibition

Artist: Abdulla Al Muharraqi

Exhibition Title: Abdulla Al Muharraqi Painting Exhibition

Exhibition Date:22/07/2008

"The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation in association with Meem Gallery, Ghaf Art Gallery and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage, proudly present an exhibition of the works of Abdulla Al Muharraqi, featuring a journey with the artist"
Abdulla Al Muharraqi
Born in Manama in 1939 Abdulla Al Muharraqi grew up close to the sea which later inspired his art. Accompanying his father on many a sea bound journeys in the Arabian Gulf; he became attached to the maritime life.
Abdulla Al Muharraqi's talent for drawing was first recognized by his teachers at primary school. He was one of the few talented students who continued to draw. Encouraged by his principal, his organized a special exhibition for his sketches and drawings at the end of each year. By the age of 12, Al Muharraqi had already gained the title of artist. When he reached high school he continued to get support from his school principal and began earning from the sale of his paintings at the annual exhibitions.
In 1955 Abdulla travelled to Egypt to study art at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo before graduating from the University of Damascus in 1971 with a first division honors degree in Decorative Arts.
From 1964 to 1989 Al Muharraqi was appointed as art adviser to the Ministry of Information in Bahrain, a position he held again years later at the Royal Court. Al Muharraqi is also a cartoonist and his works have appeared in Akhbar Al Khaleej in Bahrain since 1976 and in Al Bayan in Dubai from 1989 till 2005. Over the years he has designed many of Bahrain's official decorations and identity for companies and organizations.
Abdulla won his first award in a competition for designing the official logo of the UAE which is in use till date. He has also designed most of Bahrain's postage stamps since 1970. He won the first award at the Fine Art Exhibition for Bahraini artists in 1973. He was awarded the Grollo Doro International award in Italy, 1980, for his painting titled 'the tragedy of divers, the Gold Medal Award from the French Art Society in 1983. He was the first recipient of the State of Bahrain Award for the Arts in 1985, given to him by the prime minister. He won the Jury Award in the 26th Exhibition of Fine Art in Bahrain in 1997, the Al Dana Award in Bahrain's Art Exhibition in 2006, and recognition for his work as an artist and cartoonist at the Arab Businessman Award in the International Economy Forum in Sharam Al Sheikh in 2006. He is also the recipient of the Royal skill Decoration from His Majesty, the King of Bahrain in 2007, the Media Creativity Decoration and Award from the Arab media gathering in Kuwait in 2008 and has received much recognition from the association designated with Bahraini pioneers and creatives in2008.
Abdulla Al Muharraqi shared his works with the world at several solo exhibitions in Bahrain and abroad.
Bahrain 1975- 1977Kuwait 1981 - 1983London 1970 - 1993Abu Dhabi 1989Muscat 1991Sharjah 1983Doha 2005
He has also participated in exhibitions in Bahrain, Algeria, Kuwait, Doha, Sharjah, Jeddah, Baghdad, Damascus, Korea, Singapore, Rome, and Paris
When Al Muharraqi started drawings he depicted the traditions of Bahrain and the customs of the Gulf using realism as a style to capture the true essence of colors and shapes as well as allowing metaphors to enrich and deepen his messages.
The life of divers in forgotten times formed the majority of his works and he was keen to emphasize on the challenges and dangers which our ancestors had to deal with to survive in the unpredictable waters.

Aliens

Artist: Evru, Miguel Trillo, Miquel Oriola

Exhibition Title: Aliens

Exhibition Date: 24/06/2008

"ALIENS" LAB PROJECT EXHIBITION IN ABU DHABI
The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Abu Dhabi, the Spanish Ministry of Culture, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage and the Ghaf Gallery have initiated in 2008 an original artistic project under the title of "Aliens". This project is part of the Program of Spanish Artists in Residence in the U.A.E.: "Lab Project", launched by the Embassy of Spain in 2006. On this occasion, three Spanish photographers: Evru, Miguel Trillo and Miguel Oriola, have been invited to the U.A.E. to carry out the "Aliens Project". This project is a way of using art to reflect on the vague and slippery borders of identity, nationality, normality and strangeness and to tackle the different meanings of the word "alien": the artist as an "alien" that arrives for the first time as a strange creature to a new country, the concept of "alien" as foreigner (more than 80% of the population of the UAE are aliens in this sense), and the concept of alien as strange, weird and different.
Evru is himself a fantastic alien, one that has created his own universe called Evrugo Mental State. He came to the UAE to install in the Higher Colleges of Technology for Women, an Evrugo Mental State Fluxes Office, a space where people were photographed and could dream of a new identity, a new name or even a new physiognomy, inviting us thus to think about the concepts of identity, nationality and normality. Evru has done a series of portraits of strange humanoid creatures dressed with spectacular clothes designed by the Indian fashion designer Manish Arora.
Miguel Trillo has been photographing "aliens" for a long time, especially through series of characters, couples, groups or individuals, photographed in urban spaces in Spain and other countries around the world. The UAE, with the quantity and diversity of its foreign population and its futuristic new urban spaces were an ideal place for this photographer. The artist has undertaken a research of urban and underground culture in the UAE to make a series of portraits of young people and to illustrate modernity in this country.
Miguel Oriola is a photographer that is very much embedded in the art movements of western modernity and therefore we could consider his artistic universe as very much "alien" to the reality and traditions of the UAE. But from this encounter he came up with images in which the elements that are "alien" to his culture are abducted and incorporated into his creative world. Oriola has created a collection of photographs of disturbing cityscapes, disquieting portraits of clones and strange phenomena.
The "Aliens" Lab Project will be featured in an exhibition where the artists' fascinating pictorial work will be revealed. The exhibition's opening will take place at the Ghaf Gallery in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday 24th of June 2008 at 8pm, and the exhibition will continue until the 8th of July 2008.

Desert Rose 2008 - Revealing it all

Artist: Afra Rashed Mohamed Hayee Ahmed Al HameliAsma Saeed Rashed Saif Al ZaabiAyesha Abdulla Burouk Omar Al MenhaliDana Naser Abdulla Mubarak Abdulla Al BuainainFatema Matar Hadher Bakheet Al MuhairiFatema Rashed Saeed Al Adhab Al MansooriFatema Saif Mohamed Saif Al MarriFatima Ahmed Saif Saqer Salem Al MehairbiFatima Khamis Khalifa Khamis Saeed Al MuhairiLulwa Khalfan Ghaith Al MuhairibiMaha Rashed Khalifa Khamis Al MehairiMeead Abdulla Ali Abdulla Al HammadiMouza Obaid Saleh Mohamed Saeed Al NeaimiNoura Salem Mohamed Khamis Al ZaabiRaweya Abdul Hakeem Ahmed Saif Abdulla Al MuflehiSumaya Adel Ahmed Baobaid

Exhibition Title: Desert Rose 2008 - Revealing it all

Exhibition Date:01/06/2008

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, ADWC's third year Applied Media students will exhibit their works in Desert Rose 2008.
The aim of the event is to showcase the students' work to the community, the media industry and prospective employers. The works will include graphic design, multimedia, audio, journalism, photography and video works.
Desert Rose 2008 is organized by the third year Applied Media students under the direction of Cordula Peters, ADWC's graphic design instructor. The students are responsible for designing all promotional materials for the event, planning the layout of the exhibition, and installing the works in the gallery. The exhibition will run 1st to 11th June, 2008, at the Ghaf Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi. For more information on the event, please visit www.desertrose2008.com.
Abu Dhabi Women's College is part of the Higher Colleges of Technology. All media references to the organization should be noted as the Higher Colleges of Technology's Abu Dhabi Women's College or Abu Dhabi Women's College of HCT. For more information on the college's activities, please visit www.adwc.hct.ac.ae.

Life Stories

Artist: Susan Hefuna & Zayed University Students (Hessa Abdul Rahman AL QamziAlia Al Hamiri, Sara Ali Alaidarous, Shaikha Rashid AL Mehairi , Buthena AL Muraikhi Mouza Almazrouei)

Exhibition Title: Life Stories

Exhibition Date:20/05/2008

Under the Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, ADMAF and the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, in cooperation with Zayed University, Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage and Emirati German Friendship Society proudly present "Life Stories Exhibition" by Susan Hefuna.
The "Life Stories Exhibition" is the end result of a project between German-Egyptian artist Susan Hefuna and 6 Young Emirati students of the College of Arts and Sciences, Zayed University.
Aim of the project is a discussion of issues of visibility and invisibility, inside and outside, seeing and not seeing in the context of a reflection about the life stories and the identity of female Emirati students. During the project the students will create their own objects along the theme of visibility – invisibility, thus learning how to reflect on an abstract idea, how to develop this idea and how to translate it from thought into a concrete form that can be shown to others. In so doing, they are free to choose any material and form, such as photography, drawings or 3-dimensional objects.
The objects created by the students together with selected examples of Susan Hefuna´s own work will be exhibited in Ghaf Art Gallery Abu Dhabi. The exhibition opens on 20 May and will remain until 29 May.
About Susan Hefuna:
An artist of dual heritage, Hefuna was raised between Cairo and Germany and studied fine art at the German Art Academy. She has exhibited widely in New York, Madrid, South Africa, Liverpool, Bamako, Spain, Switzerland and Paris as well as in her home countries of Egypt and Germany. In 1998, she received a top award at the Cairo Biennial. Internationally recognized for her use of intercultural communication in her art practice, Hefuna works on this subject through different media like photography, video, installation, sculpture and drawing. Her mashribiya work, portraits, and cityscapes taken with a pinhole camera are among her most well known and have drawn international acclaim.

Digital Harmony

Artist: Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, Saeed Al Madani, Alia Al Suwaidi, Nouf Al Bushalibi, Zainab Al Junaibi

Exhibition Title: Digital Harmony

Exhibition Date:05/05/2008

This art exhibition is dedicated to digitalart, it has been organised tobring out the hidden talent that is in many Emiraties. It is dedicated to show the world that we don’t only do art using traditional methods, but also we use technology to come up with beautiful stories. This is the first Emirati group digitalart exhibition and hopefully not the last.

Sincerely,

Sumayyah Al Suwaidi

Collages

Artist:Lisa Borgiani & Massimo Nidini

Exhibition Title: Collages

Exhibition Date:23/04/2008

From Singapore to New York crossing Dubai and Paris the two Italian artists Lisa Borgiani and Massimo Nidini from Verona are now very honoured to expose their works at the Ghaf Gallery in Abu Dhabi.
Talented photographer Lisa Borgiani and experienced painter Massimo Nidini are a couple of artists who work together trough a combination of photography and painting. The result is very interesting and attractive. Their exhibition "Collage" reflects their unique work of photographic painting.

The First Drop of Rain

Artist: Abdollah Eissa, Camille Hilmi, Courtney Radl, Janine IbbiniJulia Ibbini, Linda Stephanian, Muneera Al-Bu Saidi, Neena Rai Rola Shamas, Saad Saif

Exhibition Title: The First Drop of Rain

Exhibition Date:07/04/2008

The brainchild of famous Middle Eastern digital artist Jalal Luqman. The exhibition stems from his desire to promote art in Abu Dhabi, by giving the opportunity to bright and upcoming artists in the Middle East to have an exhibition completely sponsored by Ghaf Gallery Jalal Luqman. Initiated an art trip, called 'Jalal's Art Trip' which took the chosen 6-8 upcoming artists from the hundreds who applied for the event to go on a trip to a location or two to ignite inspiration. After that, return to Ghaf Gallery, where for the next 2-3 weeks, artists were to work on their paintings/art work/sculptures inspired by the trip. The whole trip, every meeting afterwards, etc, was filmed - so as to show the world 'The Process' which goes in creating an artwork, from the point of inspiration to the completion of work and all that comes in between.

Nja Mahdaoui & Workshops

Artist: Nja Mahdaoui

Exhibition Title: Nja Mahdaoui & Workshops

Exhibition Date:17/03/2008

Lives and works in TunisiaNja MAHDAOUI was born in Tunis in 1937.He is a visual artist, an explorer of signsGraduate of the Academy of Arts of Santa Andrea in Rome & of the Ecole du Louvre: Department of oriental antiquities.
He has received a number of distinctions and national and international prizes. As the "Grand Prix des Arts et des Lettres Tunisia".
- He takes part in group artistic exhibitions: Biennial exhibitions, museums and galleries. - Organizes exhibitions of individual and group work.- Takes part regularly in seminars and colloquia at universities in Tunisia and abroad. - Has organized performances of "Total Art" : . Interactive communication between Arab and European artists, and artists from North America and Asiaon the theme : "Language and register in exchanges in the visual arts".. Theatre and dance on the theme: "Body-Writing"These have taken place in Tunisia, France, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Cuba, Canada, Germany and Jordan.Nja Mahdaoui is a member of the International Jury of the Arts Prize of UNESCO.
He has been Guest of honour and Jury member of :- The Sharjah International Arabic Calligraphy Biennial. UAE. 2006.- The International Arts Biennial of Tehran. Iran. 2006.
He is cited in:
- The WHO'S WHO in Graphic Design (Zurich)- Men of Achievement IBC Cambridge- The BENEZIT (Dictionary of Painters, sculptors, designers and engravers of E. Benezit).He has participated in the monumental decoration of the International Airports of Jeddah and Riyadh, and the ARAMCO head office at Dahran. Saudi Arabia.
He has won the international competition for the external design of 4 aircrafts for the Gulf Air 50th Anniversary. The national airline of Bahrain, Oman and the UAE.for further information see the detailed biographical catalogue :www.nja-mahdaoui.com
Workshops:
The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation is pleased to invite you to a 2 day workshop by the prominent Tunisian Artist Mr. Nja Mahdaoui at the Ghaf Art Gallery this Wednesday March 26 and Thursday March 27, from 6 to 8 pm.Nja Mahdaoui will be sharing his artistic experience, commenting on works from participants and will make demonstration of his know-how. There will also be an open debate session on the subject of: " Between tradition and modernity, the place of Art in the Arab world, in a time of globalization ".

The Art of Mohamed Al Mubarak

Artist: Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak

Exhibition Title: "The Art of Mohamed Al Mubarak"

Exhibition Date:03/03/2008

Mohamed Khalifa Al MubarakThe Ghaf Art Gallery is proud to present the intense yet diverse work of a young artist from Abu Dhabi in his first solo exhibition. Mohamed Khalifa Almubarak’s works possess an energy that reflects his roots, his upbringing and his education. He was inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed and this exhibition features several of these wonderful portraits. There is an ever present influence of Japanese Manga art in his works and he was featured as an artist at the 1st International Abu Dhabi Cartoon Festival that was held at the Cultural Foundation in early 2007. He remains fearlessof taking on new challenges and has commenced working on different media some of which are on display at this exhibition.

Ghutra Art & Burga Art

Artist: Amina Rizk Al Haskouri
Exhibition Title: Ghutra Art & Burga Art
Exhibition Date:17/02/2008

Amina Rizk ; The artist
Amina Rizk Al Haskouri comes from Morocco and is resident in Abu Dhabi. She graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art, (Baltimore, USA) as an interior designer. She took a job at the Duval and Hendrix Architect and Designfirm in Baltimore and participated in the restoration of the Baltimore museum in Maryland USA. Back in Morocco in 1986, she took a job as an interior designer in Casa Blanca with an architectural firm.
Starting married life in Abu Dhabi in 1988, she started drawing and painting to preserve the flow of her hand and had her first exhibition at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi in March 1997 under the theme of “Colours and Faces ofthe Emirates and Morocco”.This was followed by her Ghutras of the Gulf exhibition at the “Eclectic” Gallery in Abu Dhabi in 2002, under the title “Headgear of the Gulf” which projected men’s headgear.
The success of this exhibition led her to commence works that included women from the Gulf. She started by concentrating on the different masks or Burgas of the Gulf women. She discovered that it forms part of the elegance of the Gulf and an iconic symbol of its culture. The present exhibition projects the different styles and colors of Ghutras and the different textures of the Burgas.

Australian Artists

Artist: Jessica Murray & Megan Roodenrys
Exhibition Title: Australian Artists
Exhibition Date:20/01/2008

Jessica Murray:
Jessica Murray's work is an exploration of fragility, delving into the fascinating world beneath the surface of the skin, and providing a trigger for introspection and consideration of visual truths about the human condition. An accomplished young Australian artist, this is Jessica's first exhibition in the United Arab Emirates.

Megan Roodenrys:
Megan Roodenrys combines references to past art traditions, poetry, literature and appropriated contemporary images of fashion models to create exquisitely crafted and timeless artworks. This exhibition consists of works on paper, dry point prints and plates from the prints, inked, sealed and framed.
Megan is a focussed and talented Australian artist who has exhibited widely throughout Australia over the last two decades.

Contemporary Art Show

Artist: Zeina Basbous
Exhibition Title: Contemporary Art Show
Exhibition Date:09/12/2007

THE CONTEMPORARY ART SHOW - (SEASON 1) WINTER 2008
" The Contemporary Art Show is a serial exhibition that will take place once a month, for five days" It will host the work of one artist each time, and will be open for public" The selection of work/artists to be exhibited will follow two basic criteria: only middle eastern (oriental) artists and only contemporary art" The art to be exhibited will vary from painting, to sculpture, to photography, to installation-art created using all kinds of techniques, tools, material and media falling under the classification of contemporary art
" The Contemporary Art Show aims at offering the UAE nationals and residents the opportunity to first-hand-experience world-class, contemporary art and interact with the young yet established artists behind the art. The Contemporary Art Show will be a many successful source of inspiration for all art fans." To boost the Abu Dhabi cultural scene with 9 world-class exhibitions annually supporting the efforts of the Abu Dhabi government in positioning the capital as a cultural hub and center" To engage and encourage the public and corporate sector in supporting cultural activities through an excellent CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) tool, thus nurturing the concept of Good Corporate Citizenship
The list of artists will be confirmed on a quarterly basis, keeping the corporate and public sector informed of the three months coming and leaving space for valuable changes or additions to the annual calendar1st EXHIBITION : December 9 - 13, 2007 : ZEINA BASBOUS - contemporary painter - Lebanon

Desert Whispers

Artist: Jalal Luqman, Mohamed Kanoo, Khalil Abdulwahid, Azza Al Qubaisi, Fatma Al Shaibani, Salma Al Merri, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, Nadya Al Manae, Mahra Al Mansouri
Exhibition Title: Desert Whispers
Exhibition Date:19/11/2007

Transitions of The Arabic Word

Artist: Jalal Luqman, Mohamed Kanoo, Mohamed Mandi, Taha Al Hiti
Exhibition Title: Transitions of The Arabic Word
Exhibition Date:26/09/2007

Bouqeut of Mixed Art

Artist: Andrew Feild, Elwin Buchel, Linda Stephanian, Reema Al Abbas
Exhibition Title: Bouqeut of Mixed Art
Exhibition Date:20/06/2007

Four artists with four different styles are now exhibiting their works at the Ghaf Art Gallery in the capital. Abstract, naive painting, impressionism and sculptures are all mixed together, taking the viewer on a rollercoaster of colours, motives and styles. During the recent opening of the exhibition, Mohammed Kanoo, co-owner of Ghaf Gallery and art curator, explained that during this first major group exhibition at Ghaf, the gallery wanted to present something quite different. "This is more like a tossed salad, having lots of ingredients, but with a great final result," said Kanoo.The paintings of Elwin Buchel, one of the four exhibitors, have been seen recently at the Cultural Foundation, part of the group exhibition. Originally from South Africa and working in Abu Dhabi as a doctor, Buchel has been taking his painting career seriously since 1989, when he had his debut exhibition in South Africa. He uses strong, bright and contrasting styles. In the naive style, Buchel is painting happy scenes, inspired mostly by the UAE and South Africa.Reema Al Abbas, one of UAE's artists, is expressing her feelings and her love for life and nature, through abstract, modern paintings. Her works at the exhibition revolve around two different subjects: the human eye and bared trees. "The eye is the mirror of the soul and that's why I choose this motif so much in my paintings," explained Al Abbas.Andrew Field, a British painter now living in the UAE, attracts the viewer firstly through his large size canvases. His landscapes are inspired by geographical features of both the Arabian Gulf and Cornwall, one of the most picturesque regions of England. "I graduated in geography and this reflects a lot in my artwork," pointed out Field.His use of lines, colours and shapes give dynamism to his paintings, reflecting the movement of nature. "I admire the modern British painters very much," revealed Field, adding that he is also inspired by William Turner, the English romantic painter.Linda Stephanian completed the exhibition with a series of sculptures. Born in Iran in an Armenian family with an artistic background, she came to Abu Dhabi in February 2006. From an early age Stephanian started learning the art of sculpting, using different kinds of materials, from clay and gypsum to wax.At the exhibition, Stephanian is presenting a selection of both her earlier works, which are elongated, thin and fragile looking figures and her latest, more solid statuettes. Passionate about dance, Stephanian's sculptures are abstract dancing figures, represented mostly through intertwined, curving shapes.While her earlier works were inspired by the Swiss artist Alberto Giacommetti, Stephanian's sculptures remind now of Romanian-French sculptor Constantin Brancusi. The exhibition of the four artists will continue until July 4.

HCT "Desert Rose"

Artist: Communication Technology Students
Exhibition Title: HCT "Desert Rose"
Exhibition Date: 04/06/2007

Abu Dhabi: Graduating students from an Abu Dhabi-based university will showcase the fruit of years of developing creativity at an art gallery this week, as a send-off into the real world.
Fourteen applied media graduates from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Abu Dhabi Women's College (ADWC) will host and exhibit artworks at Desert Rose 2007, which will be held at the Ghaf Art Gallery.
"This is the sixth time that we put on the Desert Rose exhibition," said Cordula Peters, Professor at the Graphic Design Faculty at the HCT ADWC.
"We've held it at the college and at a mall previously, but this year we wanted more exposure for the students and their work. It's an excellent setting and the girls are very excited about it." Zeinab Al Hammadi, a soon-to-be-HCT graduate, specialises in graphic design, and will exhibit seven pieces at Desert Rose. "We're so proud of ourselves that we are able to exhibit at an art gallery," she says.
The exhibition will showcase designs, photographs, short films, commercials, three dimensional pieces and class projects which students have worked on in the past three years.
Desert Rose 2007 opens today and runs until June 13.

Beyond The Horizon

Artist: Sumayyah Al Suwaidi
Exhibition Title: Beyond The Horizon
Exhibition Date: 15/05/2007

Sumayyah Al Suwaidi is a digital artist whose passion drives her to manipulating seemingly normal and boring photographs into masterpieces of emotions and sensuality. A giant in a small body, Sumayyah moves the skies, stretches the oceans and elevates humans to the clouds, and in it all brings out beauty in whatever painting she decides to bring to life.
Gradually she started creating her own digital world by applying different brushes with so many different colors, using images that no one would think to use.

In 2001 Sumayyah became the first female digital artist from the UAE, she sold her first digital painting and never looked back. She was mentioned in various broadcasting TV channels and radio stations such as Dubai One, Abu Dhabi Emirates Channel, Sama Dubai and Rotana TV and internationally on SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) and written about in various magazines and newspapers locally and internationally.

www.sumayyahalsuwaidi.com

Ali Omar Ermes

Artist: Ali Omar Ermes
Exhibition Title: Libyan Calligrapher
Exhibition Date: 22/04/2007

Ali Omar Ermes; The artist
The work of Ali Omar Ermes can be seen in collections globally, public and private. As an artist he is globally regarded with his work exhibited in The Tate Britain, The British Museum and The Ashmolean. In America his work is seen at the galleries that make up The Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC and in the Middle East his work is held at the Beit Al Quran in Bahrain and The National Gallery of Jordan as well as the leading private collections in the region.
Introduction to the work of Ali Omar Ermes
An exhibition of the works of a contemporary Arab artist such as Ali Omar Ermes needs some preliminary introduction. For his painting has its ultimate source, not in the more familiar traditions of the western world, but the Muslim Arab culture of the Near East and North Africa. To Muslims, divine revelation is enshrined in the Quran, revealed through the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). That revelation is written in Arabic and, as such, is a transcription of an Arabic Quran which exists in heaven eternally. Hence, the Arabic words of the Quran have an incomparable significance and holiness, far surpassing, for example, the reverence in the past accorded to the text of the Vulgate (the Latin Bible) in western Christianity. By extension, Arabic word and letter forms in general have an innate holiness, and the art of Arabic calligraphy takes on unique significance as the artist seeks the perfect curves, the perfect proportions, the perfect spacing of letters for this most holy language.
Having made this point, however, it would be quite wrong to equate Ali Omar Ermes with the traditional Arabic calligraphers. As in so many art forms of earlier centuries, calligraphers of the Islamic past were trained to copy the style of their master, and only when they had achieved his perfection could they move forward to create his own individual contribution to the art form. Working with pen and ink they were also constrained by the physical limitations of their materials. Hence, Arabic calligraphy was a highly circumscribed art form, of the greatest beauty, but also of the strictest limitations.
Ermes, however, does not claim to be a calligrapher, but rather a painter. He makes the point on a number of his works. For example, he notes on one canvas that its letter forms are in a painted style , and he entitles a number of other paintings Decorative composition on the basis of the letter...This identification of himself as a painter allows Ermes much greater freedom than is permitted to a calligrapher. Sometimes, as in the composition based on three vertical groupings of three Meems, he weaves the letters of his foreground so tightly into their background that they become a rhythm-like river, and almost cease to have calligraphic identity (as seen in piece that is in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum. But it needs again to be reiterated: Arabic letter forms are the basis of Ermes' paintings, and as such they speak volumes about his beliefs, about the culture from which he comes, and about the ultimate source of his inspiration.
Pursuing our painterly theme, Ermes is then free to explore whatever paint and the paint-brush have to offer. He explores colour, sometimes in simple contrasts of light and dark, or by varying complimentary and contrasting tones, by separating foreground and background, or by drawing them together through different colour emphases. Texture, too, fascinates Ermes. He often uses the word silk as he talks about his paintings, and many of his textures do indeed have a silky quality which enriches them visually and makes one want to run one's fingers over them.
Ermes, however, is not simply a painter, for his paintings have another aspect which takes them outside the mainstream of standard artistic expression. Having begun life as a poet, he now uses Arabic literary quotations as part of his compositions.
The study of Islamic art in an academic environment is normally directed towards its earlier manifestations: the period of its earliest development under the Umayyads in the 7th and 8th centuries AD, its great classical period under the Abbasids in the 9th and 10th. Dynasties such as the Ottoman Turks, the Safavids in Iran, or the Mughals in India, provide the raw material for our appreciation of later Islamic art, but all too often our interests fail to move forward with the times. For Islamic art is not dead, and as long as Islam remains, so will Islamic art. The problem of today is how to recognise Islamic art, or, to put it from the artist's point of view, how to express art in a form which enables it to be recognised, understood and appreciated as something essentially Islamic, but with a universal message.