Down Memory Lane with Artist Rukni
Among the art community in the UAE, Rukni is a familiar name. Often spotted at exhibitions and events, the 63-year-old Emirati artist, who officially goes by the name Ahmad Al Awadhi is a connoisseur, patron and practitioner of art. A businessman by day, Rukni’s evenings are spent inaugurating art events and supporting budding artists.
As an artist, he is equally adept at landscapes and portraits, even as his current stream of work veers toward pop art. Apart from several exhibitions that he has showcased his work at, he is now collaborating with First Wish Art Gallery for a roving international art exhibition, that will travel to 12 countries. In this conversation with Middle East Masala, he looks back at the artistic inspirations that culminated into his oeuvre.
The Beginning
I always had an interest in art. At the age of eight, I was sketching palm trees and made portraits, but I never thought of pursuing art as a career. My father used to run a novelty store of gift items in Sharjah and by the time I was 16, I was actively part of the family business. Only around two decades ago, when I was around 40, a friend happened to visit my home and see my artwork. Her encouragement and appreciation led me to display them. That’s how I first publicly made a foray into the art world with an exhibition in Al Mamzar.
Art Style
When I started painting, initially I would sketch what I saw around me — the traditional architecture of our bayts, the arches and doors, coffee pots, lanterns, mosques and desert scenes. But now I am more into portraits of legends that I paint in a pop art style. From Frida Kahlo to Sophia Loren, Al Pacino, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Gandhi and Sheikh Zayed, I have etched them all. I closely watch their movies, flip through magazines and TV shows to get my portraits right. I usually paint very late at night, while listening to classical music. I can get deeply engrossed and sometimes spend the whole night painting.
Inspiration
Art is everything to me. I am entirely self-taught. When I started painting in my childhood, it was not appreciated. Now, of course, the scenario has changed, things are different. I receive a lot of love and respect from everyone. It’s important for me to preserve and present shades of my country and culture, which are intrinsic to me as an Emirati. Through my work, I hope that people will see the beauty of my nation.
The portraits that I make are an extension of my admiration for these iconic personalities. One of my most cherished art portraits is that of Pope Francis and the Grand Iman of Al Azhar, Ahmed el Tayeb, when they met in Abu Dhabi as part of UAE’s Year of Tolerance, 2019. That painting now adorns the walls of the office of the Ministry of Tolerance.
UAE’s Art Scene
In the UAE, we are fortunate to have the presence of several cultures intermingling. Artists from various parts of the world are based here. We can see elements of their culture in their artwork. I am inspired by the people I meet and their work. Young people have a lot more freedom to pursue what they want these days. They also have the encouragement of the UAE government. My own daughter has followed in my footsteps and is working with Louvre Abu Dhabi.
To Upcoming Artists
It is important to try various styles of art and figure out what one is excellent at. It should then become your forte, your specialization so that you can have your own signature style.
Christie’s Middle Eastern Contemporary Art Exhibition at DIFC, Dubai
Iconic artworks and installations from the Arab and African world are on display at Christie’s, DIFC, Dubai. The public exhibition is open till September 24th, 2022 and is curated by Ridha Moumni, deputy chairman, Christie’s Middle East and North Africa and Meagan Kelly Horsman, Managing Director, Christies Middle East. This diverse collection of artworks is part of Christie’s forthcoming modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art auction to be held online in October and live in November.
Showcased among them are masterpieces by Lawrence Stephen Lowry, Mohammed Melehi, Monir Farmanfarmaian and Etel Adnan along with emerging and established artists from the region such as Ali Cherri, Dana Awartani, Ahmed Mater, and YZ Kami.
“We are bringing some stellar sale highlights to the region. The opportunity to appreciate these works in person and discuss collecting trends with our specialists are among the benefits of Christie’s presence in the market,” said Ridha Moumni, Deputy Chairman, Christie’s Middle East & North Africa.
As part of the exhibition visitors and collectors get to view Iraqi American artist Hayv Kahraman’s The Interpreter, 2016, oil on wood, Iranian artist Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian’s reverse glass mosaic Mirror Ball from the 1970s, a lightbox from Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Mater entitled Evolution of Man (2010), Palestinian artist Hazem Harb’s Hollyland (2019) which layers acrylic lettering spelling out ‘Hollyland’ in Hollywood’s ubiquitous squared lettering over an archival photograph of Jerusalem as well as British art patron and philanthropist Robert Devereux’s Sina Jina Collection. Robert Devereux has supported the arts and artists since the 1980s and began acquiring works for his Sina Jina Collection in the early 2000s. Taking its name from Swahili, ‘sina jina’ means a place with no name, a phrase associated with Devereux’s house on the island of Lamu, Kenya. Among the African works being shown are Ibrahim El-Salahi’s The Tree, an abstract geometric composition, part of a series referencing the native Haraz tree and Nigerian photographer Samuel Fosso’s The Chief: The One Who Sold Africa To The Colonists
Late British artist LS Lowry’s celebrated work Going To The March, 1928, also gets a special display wall. Estimated to be worth $ 5.7 m to $9.25 m, it captures the scene of a rugby match and depicts minute diversities of a crowd.
Buckle up for a sensory roller coaster ride at this new immersive art and dining experience At Shangri-La, Dubai. Seven Paintings takes guests on an exploratory journey of exquisite flavours inspired by seven iconic masters of art. Curated by well-known Jordanian food artist and chef Omar Sartawi and show producer Nadine Beshir, in collaboration with Shangri-La’s executive chef Daniel Sheperd, this unique dining concept uses storytelling, theatrics and 3D graphics in a two-hour, seven course dinner.
Through a story narrated by Leonarda Da Vinci and Mona Lisa, visitors discover works of Michelangelo, Banksy, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and Vincent van Gogh, presented on the table with show stopping visuals accompanied by artistic recipes.
In the first course, for instance, guests taste a mushroom mousse filled tartlet with balsamic caviar and gold leaf served on a clay mould of a replica of Michelangelo’s The Hand of Adam. In the second course, they get to savour Sashimi grade tuna carpaccio served on lavosh bread and truffle and micro herb salad dusted with dehydrated olives resembling Banksy’s Girl with the Balloons.
This food experience runs every Friday from 8 to 10 pm for AED 450/- per person.
For Reservations: Call +971-4052703
Bait Al Motawa’a, the home of the religious leader in the Taiba region of the Emirate of Fujairah is a restored house, maintained by the government of Fujairah. It houses an open courtyard with a vintage Range Rover parked on the side, a Majlis and several rooms that are open to the public for viewing.
Originally built in 1964, by Khameis Ali bindawood Al Abdouli, the house was restored and opened for viewing in 2021, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the formation of UAE. The initiative is in accordance with the preservation of UAE’s culture and an attempt to showcase important facets of its heritage. Built with brick and mud, this house is a model of the pre-union era and shows the transition from gravel houses, built of stones and palm branches.
The Motawa’a was an important figure in the community. His role was both religious and judicial. He would begin the prayers, deliver the Friday sermons as well as educate people. He also had a social role in reconciliation of disputes and in solemnizing marriages.
Location: Al Taiba Village in Fujairah
‘When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy,’ Rumi.
It took Dubai-resident, Rima Moukahal, half a decade to follow her soul’s voice and embark on an art journey in her fifties. First, it was the civil war in Lebanon and then a long and successful corporate career that had forced her to put her artistic dreams on hold. Finally, it was her sheer determination, driven by her passion, that made her beat the odds and step out of corporate life to go back to study art in 2018. Today based in Dubai, Rima is a member of the prestigious art institution, Tashkeel, where in her art studio, she says, she uses colours, gestures, layers and movements to convey her emotions on her canvas.
She has been part of several local and international exhibitions. Her artwork, Beirut 2020, an ode to the deadly port blast tragedy that stuck her homeland, is on display at the ongoing Made In Tashkeel, 2022 exhibition. She primarily works with acrylic, overlays with stucco and collages and has been experimenting with new techniques and mediums to move away from traditional canvases. In this conversation, Rima takes us deep into her soul to reveal chapters of her life:
What was your earliest association with art?
My first memory of art was of an early age while studying at the Italian school in Beirut where they had discovered my talent for painting. I was offered a summer scholarship to study art in Rome. Unfortunately, this opportunity was snatched away from my hands due to the civil war in Lebanon that year which lasted for nearly two decades. All other attempts in the following years to pursue art also did not succeed.
What made you switch from your corporate career to art? How difficult was the transition?
I believe doing what you love is not the same as loving what you do. In my corporate life I had reached a point where I was not feeling fulfilled anymore. I had stopped exploring new horizons. In 2018, I was unable to move out of bed due to severe sciatica. I realised my body was trying to speak to me by refusing to move and begging me for a change. Incidentally, it was also my 50th birthday and this propelled me to do what I had always dreamt of since childhood. From that moment onwards, I have been on this journey of joy creating art on a daily basis.
To others in similar situations, I would like to say that do not be afraid of change when choosing a new direction in your life. Listen to your heart and follow its whispers. The mind is a great deceiver, full of fear and ego. The heart’s voice is pure and honest. It directs us to where we need to be in our path for our growth and evolution.
How would you define your art? What elements from life inspire you?
My art is organic and genuine. It may be weighty and confusing at times, much like our human state of mind, but it reflects my feelings as an individual. Abstract is my tool for incorporating this depth into my artwork.
The stories we live might fade with time, but profound stains remain inside our bodies. Nothing is forgotten, nothing erased. My work is inspired by the remnants of life’s experiences. The colours I choose convey the sweetness and bitterness of the emotions felt. Textures and layers on my canvas represent the accumulation of events experienced and knowledge gained. Collages help me to heal wounds and put the pieces of my life back together. In the end for me one element leads to another and this fuels my creative process.
What motivates you to paint every day and what do you want people to take back from your work?
Art motivates me to wake up every morning. I was unwilling and separated from doing what I loved in my life for so many years. Now, I am on a daily date with my passion.
I aim to stimulate emotions and entice people to see how their feelings and reactions can be reflected in an artwork. I believe those who listen to their hearts will always be enlightened and guided by the divine.
Tell us about working in your art studio and being part of Tashkeel.
Tashkeel is a dream come true for emerging artists, and I am very fortunate to have found such a facility in Dubai. Being part of this institution has enhanced my overall art experience, especially having attended the workshops and courses on offer. It has a great environment for creatives where we are encouraged to explore a variety of disciplines. Equally engaging is their canteen where artists meet daily to exchange thoughts and share laughter.
For me, Tashkeel is like a second home today. And I want to take this opportunity to thank Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum, founder of Tashkeel, for her passion, leadership and sensibility towards art and artists.
A multi-faceted artist, Petra Kaltenbach, fuses technology, graphic design, videography and fine art to create new-age contemporary art. Deeply perceptive and intuitive, she paints from a place of inner consciousness to portray the unseen on her canvas.
Born in Duisburg, Germany in 1962, Petra, one of the co-curators of World Art Dubai, moved to the UAE in 2004. Her new home in a rapidly changing city, then became a catalyst for her fascination with the theme of transformation. Captivated by the strength of the human spirit to break free from restricted psychological conditions into freedom and peace, she infuses a dose of optimism in her artworks. The pomegranate is a recurring motif on her canvas. As a symbol of transformation, for her, it is a divine fruit, that unites the east and the west and represents love, beauty, health and wealth.
Today she is known for her intertwined art — blending QR codes, UV printing technology with fine art. More recently, she has ventured into using augmented reality to combine videos into physical art and also taken on to work on mirrored stainless steel sheets. Jumping on the NFT bandwagon, she has just released her latest series called NFT_Love Letters. Ahead of World Art Dubai (Mar 16 to 19, 2022), she speaks to Middleeastmasala on her creative process.
Tell us about your new series, the NFT_LOVE LETTERS.
NFT_LOVE LETTERS, is a series of visual poems. They begin life as physical artworks painted and partially printed on mirrored stainless steel and then they take on their digital life with overlaid corresponding videos. The videos are transliterated Arabic terms of endearment, such as NUUR AIYNI_the light of my eyes, ALBI_my heart or ASAAL_Sweet like honey, engaging with the deep romanticism of the Arabic culture. I have used bright colours and a rush of patterns to create these visual love poems, which are a modern day ode to the timeless language of love.
From advertising to graphic design, to full time art and now curation — how did you transition from one field to the other? Or do you marry all your roles through your art?
Initially, I thought graphic design and art were very close. However, that was a mistake. While in graphic design, others define the rules, within which you have to be creative, in art you make your own. It’s a huge process. It’s a transformation that I am still undergoing.
With the big art movement of digitalization, graphic design is suddenly entering art. I call myself a hybrid artist, which means an artist who still creates physical works and videos to go with them. I have been doing this since 2015, and my physical work always consists of painted and printed pieces. The printed parts I create on the computer, when the graphic designer in me comes into play. These files, I then, print with the help of a UV-flatbed-printer on my painted artworks. It is quite a complex process.
I got my master’s degree in visual communication, which includes studying art history, colour theory, painting, photography, design theory, graphic design, and more. I have been working as a creative for 35 years, which has led me into curation that aids me to help shape the local cultural landscape and to be part of the making of great art history in the region. And, yes I do marry all my roles through my art.
You have had a long collaboration with Canon, where you incorporate their UV printing technology into your paintings. Tell us about this unique technique and can other budding artists learn it?
Anyone can learn Canon printing technology. It’s like learning a new painting technique. The secret is always in mastering the technique or technology and what you do with it. Canon had already talked to many other artists, but was not convinced by their works.
I was in a sponsorship programme with Canon for a year because I use their UV printing technology in a very unique way. I was the only artist in the world to receive the one year Canon sponsorship in 2017.
How did your 2004 move to Dubai reflect in your art?
My art became much more colourful and I started to deal with transformation, because the constant Dubai-buzz with all its changes clearly has something to do with transformation.
In addition, living with all the different nationalities urged me to see the world in a more colourful and diverse way. Naturally, I started to explore the UAE artistically and to discover similarities between the country and myself and to represent them in my art.
As the co-curator of World Art Dubai, one of the most anticipated art events in the UAE, how do you feel the event has evolved over the years and what can visitors look forward to in 2022?
Despite the pandemic, our curatorial team managed to get World Art Dubai off to a really good start. Since 2019, we have been consistently raising the level of art on display and creating a wonderful community event that systematically removes the fear of contact with art. We have a very good mix of emerging artists, mid-career artists and galleries. On top of that, every year we present art attractions to the visitors – this year we will show, among others, internationally renowned artists who have even made art especially for WAD. It is really one of our strengths that we have the artists themselves at the fair – this creates a very vibrant atmosphere.
#dubaiartist, nft, nftart, petrakaltenbach, worldartdubai. curatorinterview
Emirati artist Badr Abbas showcases his much-loved childhood hobbies through a series of juxtaposed cubist art at Hotel Indigo, Dubai Downtown. The exhibition titled ‘Hobbies of Yesterday’ runs at the hotel till March 31st, 2022. Art enthusiasts can discover Abbas’ unique contemporary art, that merges Emirati cultural icons in a cubist style. Inspired by the works of Salvador Dali, George Condo and Pablo Picasso, the artist presents his traditional roots through a modern lens.
A member of Emirates Fine Arts Society, in this series Abbas pays homage to his love for comics, collectibles, video games and Sci-fi movies. In ‘Search for Fodooli’, for instance, he brings alive the vintage Majid comics on canvas. “I was a big fan of Majid comics, launched in 1979 – their riddles, brain teasers and puzzles were much sought-after. Every week I used to wait for my mum to bring me the latest edition. In this artwork, I have tried to capture the characters in the comics, their crossword and several other details,” shares Abbas.
On display are artworks celebrating his passion for stamp collection, arcade games and the Star War movie franchise. “I have made an attempt to immortalize on canvas the years I spent visiting arcades to play video games – the likes of Pacman, Space Invaders, Mario Bros, Princess of Persia. They were all part of my growing up years. A lot of my childhood memories revolved around these cherished hobbies,” he says.
Revealed to the public for the first time, in Dubai, the exhibition is free to view for guests and visitors at the hotel. Alternatively chose an extended art tour with the hotel’s in-house art manager Astrid Lesuisse, followed by breakfast or afternoon tea.
Here is the link to a more detailed interview with Abbas that I wrote for Arab News https://www.arabnews.com/node/1913476/lifestyle
#badrabbas, #emiratiartist, #hotelindigo
Al Quoz Arts Festival, January 29th – 30th, 2022, Al Quoz, Dubai
This arts and culture event in the vibrant Al Quoz community in its ninth edition has a great line-up of events. Under the theme Waking Dreams explore art exhibitions, installations, live music and dance events. The highlights include Gaia by artist Luke Jerram, a seven diameter towering creation with NASA imagery of the earth’s surface. Enjoy live performances by Emirati singer and songwriter Hamdan Al Abri, DJ Michelle, the world’s youngest DJ, and Satwa3000. Watch overnight film marathon screenings and Reel Palestine at Cinema Akil besides getting the opportunity to see numerous art exhibits.
Art Dubai, March 11th – 13th, 2022, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
One of the well-known art events in Dubai, the fair, this year features over 100 contemporary and modern galleries from 40 countries. In its 15th edition, the event will unveil its digital section called Art Dubai Digital with the limelight on NFTs from across the world. Featuring over 30 participants, Art Dubai Digital will be providing a platform to professionals from digital art and the crypto world. The fair also includes a gallery support programme and a campus art series.
World Art Dubai, March 16th – 19th, 2022, Dubai World Trade Centre
At this much awaited art event of the year, the organisers claim to have curated something for every art enthusiast. From a string of art talks to budget-friendly art collections to live performances the range is truly eclectic. Check out the runway, showcasing and wearable art, along with some unique doodling and graffiti performances. For kids there is the Nikon photo club and a guided tour of Al Jalila Cultural Centre with live pottery classes.
Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, from Feb 4th, 2022, Ras Al Khaimah
The decade old annual festival, a celebration of art and culture, presents the works of local and emerging artists, photographers and filmmakers. Over 150 artists from 45 countries are expected to attend the event that will take place at the historical Al Jazirah Al Hamra Heritage Village in RAK. Other venues of the event include Jebel Jais and Al Marjan Island. The festival is an initiative of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi Foundation for Policy Research.
Abu Dhabi Art Fair, Nov. 16th – 20th, 2022
A prominent art event in the capital, the fair in its 14th year, will be held at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The fair offers art lovers an interesting and informative public engagement programme along with an array of art installations and exhibitions. The festival is an important platform for local and international art galleries to sell, liaison and showcase the works of the artists.
#abudhabiartfair, #alquozartsfestival, #Art, #ArtDubai, #artfestivals, #dubaiartevents, #rakfineartsfestival, #worldartdubai
The meshing in of human interventions in natural environments is the focus of a new photography exhibition at Tashkeel, Dubai. ‘From End to End’ runs until March 1, 2022, featuring 30 images by Emirati photography enthusiasts — Ola Allouz, Yaghoub Al Hammadi, Mousa Al Raeesi, Faisal Al Rais, Mona Al Tamimi and Maitha Bughanoum. It has been curated by Tashkeel’s founder and director, Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum, and Jassim Al Awadhi, one of the UAE’s first Emirati photographers, who is also the Founder and Chairman of the Akkas, the UAE Photography Club and Chairman of the Emirates Photography Association.
The photographs prompt viewers to question mankind’s synergy with the natural world. The pictures depict streets scenes from Satwa, remote mangroves of Al Dhafra, women workers at the bustling coastlines of Zanzibar, drone shots of Fujairah, owl hatchlings in Al Qudra and slices from iftar meals.
The subtle details of each work highlight man’s unrelenting disruption of the environment around him — the microparticles of plastics worn by fisherwomen drifting into the seas; the remnants of fishing nets deposited in the seas of the Arabian Gulf; the dredged tidal flats off the shore of Abu Dhabi; and the plastic waste generated from communal feasts. While in an untouched area of Dubai nests an owl and her chicks. As their existence and that of their species hangs in the balance, the images stand as a bold reminder of the fragility of the natural world and the need for mankind to step up and fulfill its unequivocal moral duty to protect and preserve it for all time.
#photographyexhbition, #tashkeel
Renowned Indian artist Sakti Burman’s NFT exhibition — The Mythical Metaverse opens at Artiana, UAE’s first homegrown auction house for art and luxury collectibles. At present, open to their existing collectors, the exhibition will be accessible to the public from February 8th , 2021, also marking the artist’s birthday.
Burman, 87, a contemporary Indian artist based in France, is well-known for his mythical and fantasy art, portrayed with rich colourful undertones. He is also a notable sculptor and the lithographer, who draws extensively from Hindu and European mythology. His paintings are populated by humans, animals and cityscapes, that are sketched in a dream-like appearance.
He was awarded The Prix des Estrangers, Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1956; Knight of the Legion of Honour, Government of France, 2016 and Medaille d’Argent au Salon de Montmorency among others. Some of his recent solo shows include a retrospective at the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata and Dakshina Chitra, Chennai.
The launch collection will be available for viewing on the Artiana website https://artiana.com/
#artiana, #nftdubai, #nfts, #saktiburman