We extend a warm invitation to join us on Thursday, March 7th, 2024, at 6:30 pm at Bassam Freiha Art Foundation for an enlightening evening as we inaugurate our “Art Dialogues” series, promising an enchanting exploration at the crossroads of creativity and identity.
Our inaugural session, titled “The Female Gaze – Women in the Middle Eastern Art Scene,” promises to be an illuminating exploration of the intersection of art and gender. Prepare to be captivated by the insights of four exceptional Emirati artists: Dr. Najat Makki, Latifa Saeed, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, and Azza Al Qubaisi. They will engage in an enriching conversation with BFAF’s esteemed Curator, Dr. Michaela Watrelot, delving into the nuanced dynamics of the female perspective in art.
The event coincides with International Women’s Day, offering a poignant opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the invaluable contributions of women to the vibrant Middle Eastern art scene.
Given the intimate nature of this gathering, we encourage you to secure your seat promptly. Please confirm your attendance by emailing us at info@bfaf.ae.
We look forward to your presence as we embark on this inspiring journey of artistic exploration and cultural discourse.
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0 people are attending Art Dialogues – The Female Gaze – Women In The Middle Eastern Art Scene
Najat Makki is a pioneering Emirati artist and the first woman in the UAE to earn a PhD in art. Renowned for her role in shaping Emirati abstraction, she has developed a distinctive practice rooted in rhythm and colour, becoming a central figure in the region’s modern art movement.
Over the decades, her work has been widely exhibited in the UAE and abroad, and is represented in major collections including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Art Museum, and the Cultural Foundation.
Sumayyah Al Suwaidi is a pioneering Emirati artist and the first female digital artist in the region.
Renowned for transforming photography into expressive digital works, she has exhibited internationally, including Emirati Vision in Berlin. She is also active as a curator and mentor, contributing to the UAE’s art scene through exhibitions, writing, and teaching.
Latifa is a Dubai-based multidisciplinary artist and graduate of Zayed University. She has received fellowships and grants from institutions including the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation and the Misk Art Institute.
A finalist for the Richard Mille Art Prize at Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2021, she recently became the first Emirati artist to present a solo exhibition in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with Black Silhouette.
Azza Al Qubaisi is a multidisciplinary Emirati artist, sculptor, and designer, celebrated as the UAE’s first jewelry artist. Her practice spans jewelry, sculpture, installation, and public art, often incorporating palm fronds, metals, and other locally significant materials. By merging heritage with contemporary expression, she has become a leading figure in the UAE’s art scene, with her work exploring identity, environment, and cultural memory on both national and international stages.