By Avid Learning’s Artist Circles: A Platform for Creative Collaborations
Six artists, their diverse art practices, born out of their personal journeys converged around a long table on a quiet Sunday morning in Dubai. The artists were brought together by Avid Learning Middle East’s monthly ACRT (Artist Creative Round Table), held on September 28, 2025, at the serene, collaborative space Nas House in Al Barsha.
The morning began with an introduction about Avid Learning ME, an extension of the cultural arm of the Essar group, a family-owned conglomerate, headquartered in India. Officially launched in 2024, the organization, is dedicated to creating multi-disciplinary art and cultural programmes that foster dialogue, celebrate heritage and empower communities. The ACRT is one such community-focused initiative. “Each session of the round table is intentionally designed to be a free-flowing dialogue and authentic exchange, where artists are invited to present their work, share concepts and discuss their practices, while making connections with like-minded passionate and creative individuals,” said Madhu Ruia, founder of Avid Learning.
As the day progressed it was evident that the synergy in the room was sparked by the joy of visual story telling brought alive with paints, needles and markers on canvases, fabric and postcards. Among the participants, Youness Siraj Mounir, also known Yun Kusanagi, is an abstract expressionist artist. His canvases are marked by bold strokes and vivid colours. While a digital showcase of his artworks was being screened in the room, he spoke about his art practice. “My art lets me express myself freely. I use my hands, wedges and knives while painting and often experiment by mixing colours. Red is my favourite, it symbolises love, passion and the complexities of human emotions.”
Seated next to Youness was Narges Soleimanzadeh, an award-winning Iranian artist, educator and founder of Sakku Art. While Youness’ art follows contemporary tones Narges’ canvases are inspired by Renaissance masterpieces. “I seek the convergence of the old and the new through my art, where you will see animal and human figures blend with elements from nature,” she shared. Scrolling through her portfolio everyone noticed her deep affinity to animals and applauded her mastery over colours and her ability to harmoniously blend all the details together.
A reflection of UAE’s multi-cultural population was seen at the round table as well with each artist representing their unique ethnicity. As expats living away from home migration and seeking roots were common themes for these global artists. Abeer Loan has lived in Pakistan, Bahrain, the UK and is now based in Dubai. Her practice is deeply influenced by narratives of displacement, movement and everyday life. “I have moved so many places. So, I struggle with the idea of home,” she told. Rooted in drawing, print making and embroidery, through her art she integrates family traditions, craft techniques, community practices by involving repetitive and slow creative ways.
Her portfolio includes stitched pleated fabric sculptures, cloth cut outs with embroidered messages, food installations and pen on paper works. Having moved to Dubai, during Covid, as a new bride, her art, she said, helped her to soothe emotional upheavals and the transition to a new city and a new relationship. “I have always been creating art in an environment that was restrictive so you will notice birds throughout my art that represent freedom for me,” she added.
As each artist presented their artworks and spoke about their journey the conversation veered towards their creative process. Iranian artist Javid Andalib revealed that he enjoys the process of painting more than its final outcome. As a realist painter he is drawn towards the transformation that happens during creation. “I am interested in photography, studying different cultures and multi-layering art and then peeling it off,” he said, while all eyes were on the screen displaying one of his First Man Painting series, where he has captured children in action – some somersaulting, jumping off into pools for a swim or swinging and smiling at the world.
Undoubtedly, supportive family and friends boost an artist’s creativity. At the ACRT, we all witnessed this first-hand when Russian artist Evgeniia Soloveva and her Ukrainian friend Victoria Sosonka shared the way they have nurtured each other personally and professionally. For years Evgeniia regarded her art merely as a hobby, until encouraged by her husband and her friend Victoria she decided to showcase it to the world and pursue it as a career. Today through her brand Artisan’s Atelier, she creates whimsical illustrations with alcohol markers. “Art is all about feelings for me, lingering aromas, childhood memories and the beauty of everyday life,” said Evgeniia. Victoria, too finds art therapeutic and is inspired by the beauty of nature and the spirit of her homeland.
Since its launch in the Middle East in 2024, Avid Learning has hosted 14 such creative round tables bringing together close to 80 artists from diverse backgrounds. “Through these gatherings we are building a vibrant network of practitioners, introducing them to upcoming initiatives and possibilities for future collaborations, workshops and cultural projects across the region,” conveyed Madhu Ruia. At the heart of the organisation is the belief that learning never stops. In the forthcoming year Avid Learning is all set to accelerate its programmes with continued collaborations with education Institutions, cultural forums and creative individuals