-
A group exhibition in collaboration with Iris Art Advisory, featuring works by Ahmed Emad, Lama Alshenaifi, Safeya Sharif and Yosra Emamizadeh. Summer in the UAE is not always the stereotypical fantasy where one chills on the beach and sips and icy drink by a palm tree. Instead, as the mercury passes above 40 degrees Celsius, residents are on the hunt from one air-conditioned environment to the next. Best described as a habitat that cultivates dreams, our vibrant cities change pace and drive society to look inwards. Indoor spaces transform into cool capsules that defy the heat and push the limits of imagination. This exhibition brings together four artists who aim to cool you down.
-
-
-
Yosra has developed a devotional and faith-based approach to her painting practice, which often encompasses elements from Islamic art and sacred geometry. In her recent series of still life drawings and paintings, she explores the passing of time by tracing moments in the life of fruits and placing them within texturised backdrops that combine elements from nature and geometry.
-
-
Safeya explores the complexities of the mind and how it could be altered. She portrays a shifted reality, that is either influenced or subjected in surreal playful Compositions which capture realities interrupted by hallucinations and concluded conception such as day dreaming.
-
-
-
-
Lama sees people and social trends and practices as an important source of inspiration in her work that encompasses abstract and text-based drawings, paintings, and installations. Through her work, the artist aims to inspire and start constructive conversations on topics sometimes seen as critical due to social constraints or judgement. Lama’s work is the definition of chaos and balance combined, in which she believes that the state between surrender and discipline creates the flow of ideas behind her works.
-
-
Ahmed often uses a mixture of mediums like pastels, charcoal, and acrylics to create dynamic layers, while intentionally allowing each medium space to move and eventually settle. Therefore, his works appear raw and his gestures are intuitive and expressive. Ahmed’s work focuses on existential themes, taking inspiration from surrealists such as Salvador Dali and Diego Rivera.
-
-
-
-
-
About the artist:
Yosra Emamizadeh (b. Pennsylvania, USA, 1987) is an artist based in Dubai. She started drawing from a young age while growing up in Tehran. After completing her studies at the American University of Beirut, she attended the Angel Academy of Art in Florence to study classical drawing, and later earned her master’s degree in Museum Studies from Harvard University. In 2021, Yosra presented “Nafs”, a solo exhibition part of the 24th Sharjah Islamic Festival at the Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah, UAE. She has participated in several exhibitions in the UAE and USA, including The Philosophy of Food, Tashkeel, Dubai (2022); Isolated, But Not Alone, The Aerogramme Center for Arts and Culture, USA (2021); Made in Tashkeel, Tashkeel, Dubai (2021 and 2019); and Nasty Women Boston, Laconia Gallery, Boston, MA (2017). Yosra co-curated Reclamation Exhibition I & II: Emerging Female Artists of New England, Sommerville, MA, USA (2015). Her works are in private collections in the UAE and abroad.
Safeya Sharif (b. Dubai, 1999) is a multidisciplinary Emirati artist based in Dubai. Her practice incorporates a variety of mediums, including printmaking, photography, painting, book structure, and graphic design. Safeya holds a BFA in Visual Art from Zayed University. She participated in a number of exhibitions in the UAE and internationally, including Chill: Summer in the City, Aisha Alabbar Gallery, Dubai, UAE (2022); Psychedelic Surrealism, Quoz Art Festival (2022); Looking Elsewhere, Zayed University Urban Satellite Space at the Foundry, Dubai, UAE (2021), The Emerald Print Exchange (2021), Karin Clarke Gallery, Eugene, OR (2021), and 6X6, Rochester Contemporary Art Center, Rochester, NY (2021). More recently, Safeya worked as an Artist Assistant to Emirati artist and printmaker Salama Nasib. She did an internship at Richemont, Cartier as part of the Arts & Culture Department, working directly with the Paris team. Safeya has also been a part of the Peer Assistant Leadership Program (PALs) at Zayed University.
Lama Alshenaifi (b. Riyadh, 2000) is a self-taught artist and creator of the concept “IDONTGIVEABLAH”. The concept, which is prevalent throughout her practice, encourages creating fearlessly without any judgement.Lama has recently participated in exhibitions in Riyadh including Personage 4th Anniversary Art Exhibition (2021) and The Playground Eid Campaign (2021). Additionally, she has displayed several installation works across Saudi Arabia, in venues such as Hodai Café, Ad Diriyah (2022), Switchers Restaurant, Ad Diriyah (2022), La Gray Store, Riyadh (2021), and Arpina Restaurant, Riyadh (2021). Lama has collaborated with a number of fashion brands in the Gulf, including Bucketbox, Riyadh (2022), Mazrood, Riyadh (2021-2022), Ravel, Riyadh (2020), Astro, Khobar (2020), and Pong, Kuwait (2020).
Ahmed Emad (b. Dubai, 1993) is a self-taught Emirati artist. With a background in civil engineering, Ahmed develops concepts inspired by building material, such as steel bars, concrete, and industrial scraps. He looks at the functions of these materials, which can be viewed as constructive or fatal, in relation to aspects of the mind, life and society. Ahmed held a number of solo exhibitions, including Media Ecstacy, FN Designs, Dubai, UAE (2019); Portraits of Chaos, Coffee Architecture, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2018); and Novel Insight into Art, Hamdan Innovation Incubator, Dubai, UAE (2015). He has participated in exhibitions in the UAE, including Mkkan, Sikka Art & Design Festival, Dubai, UAE (2022); NFT | IRL, Firetti Contemporary, Dubai UAE (2021); Performing Contemporary, Festember, Abu Dhabi, UAE (2019); Ras Al Khaimah Youth Council Art Exhibition, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (2018); Color Debate, University of Sharjah, UAE (2016). Ahmed holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Sharjah.
In collaboration with Iris Art Advisory, 7 June - 9 September 2022
