Few individuals have had such a direct impact on the arts movement in the UAE as Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum. Lateefa transcends the world of art through charity, education and the contemporary identity of the United Arab Emirates. She represents both Emirati women and the country at large through her work, helping forge a 21st century character for the young nation though her distinct imagery. Her efforts have directly contributed into turning the UAE’s emergent art movement into a full-fledged industry. Read more »
Medium
13 Degrees East
More than thirty years after its opening the Institut du Monde Arabe continues to be a visionary and unique project that is still relevant to France but perhaps even more relevant to the Arab World itself. It was in Paris that I truly connected to the Arab world, says Sultan in this personal essay about Arab art, culture and identity. Read more »
Sharjah Art Museum: The Bellwether of Gulf Art Museums
Since its inception the Sharjah Art Museum has been the diamond in the necklace of pearls that are the emirate’s museums. It has played a role in educating the public, documenting the artistic past and present, and has helped to cement Sharjah’s position as the capital of culture for the Arab world and beyond. Read more »
Liberals sidelined in a polarised Arab world
Amongst the casualties of the post-Arab Spring era are the Arab world’s dwindling number of individuals who identify themselves as Liberal. Six years on, Liberals are increasingly squeezed out of the (almost non-existent) political scene. Today Liberal thought in the Arab world is under siege. Read more »
eL Seed: The Writing’s On The Wall
Few artists of their generation have left a global mark as French-Tunisian artist eL Seed. At thirty-five years old his monumental canvases are instantly recognizable and can be seen in cities across the world. Walls in cities as varied as Montreal, Sao Paolo, Paris, Doha, New York and Sharjah have been transformed with his magic spray can into open air galleries. Much like Banksy one never knows where next eL Seed artwork will appear. The world is his canvas. Read more »
A Dubai architectural gem worthy of a museum
The Dubai Petroleum’s HQ must be preserved for the future of this country when it is vacated, and what way to better honour a building that has literally fueled the development of Dubai into a global city than turn it into a public institution, an art museum for the people. Read more »