HUMAN BEINGS, THEIR IDEAS, INNOVATIONS, DREAMS, AND CONNECTIONS ARE THE CAPITAL OF THE FUTURE. BECAUSE WHERE GREAT MINDS GO TODAY, GREAT THINGS WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW.”
Beautiful words by the visionary leader SHEIKH MOHAMMAD.
The UAE based art group Funun Arts along with Grand Mercure Hotels and Residences organized an art exhibition where 26 artists from 10 different nationalities showcase UAE its culture, places, and their perspective through arts.
Titled UAE: LAND OF DREAMS, the exhibition was inaugurated at the Grand Hall art gallery of the Grand Mercure Hotel, Dubai. It is the first art exhibition in the gallery. This exhibition will run till September. Shiba Khan and Farah khan selected 26 artists from 10 different nationalities residing in the UAE.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Mr. Khalil Abdul Wahid, Director of Fine Arts, Dubai Culture and Art Authority and Mr. Yasser Al Gargawi, Director of programs and partnerships, Ministry of Tolerance. Mr. Khalil said, “It is an honor to be here as a chief guest and see the beautiful artwork, artists from diverse nationalities coming up together to showcase one theme with different perspective”.
Mr. Yasser said, “I congratulate Shiba Khan and Farah khan for their work in the field of art and culture. We can see a variety of work and the expressive way of artists through their paintings. Each artwork narrates a story which is well explained by an artists and felt by the viewer”.
Beside them there were many other distinguished guests who were present on the opening night of the exhibition.
Mr. Tyrone lodder, General Manager of the hotel said, Art has added colors to the beauty of the hotel. We are so happy to have this collaboration and showcasing these beautiful artwork which gives pleasing experience to the eyes.
Shiba Khan told us that, “UAE is a land of dreams and inspiring tales. It is a land where fantasy is converted to reality every day. It is a land with lots of opportunities for the youth, for entrepreneurs and for art as well. It is like a home far from home for all the expats living here. And this is the high time to pay tribute to this great nation. As art is the best way to express so we came up with this theme. My paintings EMOTIONS which are the part of the exhibition shows my attachment with this place. Bold colors and textures used represent the strength and the tolerance of this multicultural place.”
Farah khan, creative designer of Funun arts exhibited her beautiful photograph which shows the oldest mode of transports ABRA, which is still going on and it is one of the favorite tourist attractions. It shows the connectivity of the culture and modernization. The other picture tells the story of sikka, the narrow old lanes of Dubai, which are the hub of art and culture.
Anjani prakash laitu , legendary Indian artists received the life time achievement award presented by Funun arts. He said, “It is a very prestigious award and I am happy to receive it. My paintings COLORS show the vibrant culture of this nation. I am here for 25 years and lived my passion of painting. My paintings spread happiness and positivity”.
Rafa Tom, artist from Lebanon presented her 4 artworks showcasing the culture and life of UAE. She used different textures in her paintings which makes the artwork very expressive.
Amr Wadea, an artist from Egypt showcased his two artwork. When asked he said, “I want to show the progressive thinking of this nation through my paintings. One painting show the culture and other shows it high rise buidings with best infrastructure, it shows the balance and success with keeping the roots strong”.
Ahmed Rukni , Maryam , Gayathi artist from UAE paid tribute to UAE with their artworks with different mediums.
Petra Kalternbach( Germany) , Samar Kamel( Egypt), Batool Jafri( Pakistan) , artist and special guests of the event exhibited their artworks showing love and devotion.
Rose Jaranya, artist from Thailand presented her artwork with the traditional style of Thailand painting with the UAE iconic spots in the eye. She said “Colors in my paintings show the colorful and happy life in UAE”.
Rima Moukahal an artist from Lebanon said, she saw the beautiful sunrise and she painted it on the canvas and her another painting shows the blossom and enrichment. She is lucky that she live in this nation which is a multicultural place.
Participating artists whose artwork can be seen till September are: Aarushi Malik(India), Ahmed Al Awadhi( UAE), Ajmal Mirajkar(India), Amr Wadea(Egypt), Anjini Prakash Laitu(India), Batool Jaferi(Pakistan), Christopher MacNeil(America), Dina Albarqi(Palestine), Farah Khan(India), Gehan Fawzi(Egypt), Ghayathi Belhasa(UAE), Ishrat Keyani( Pakistan), Maryam Bin Bishr( UAE), Mukta ( India), Noor Haidri ( Pakistan), Pari Sagar( India), Petra ( Germany), Rafa Tom( Lebanon), Rima Moukahal (Lebanaon), Rose Jaranya( Thailand), Sabah Anees( India), Samar Kamel(Egypt), Shabnoor Quereshi( India), Shiba Khan ( India), Somya Rastogi( India), Vanashri (India) At last the founders and organizer of the event said, we try to put our soul and heart to bring together everything.
As the philosophy of Funun arts is:
COMING TOGETHER IS THE BEGINNING
KEEPING TOGETHER IS THE PROCESS
WORKING TOGETHER IS THE SUCCESS
-By Pari Sagar