The ninth edition of Tashkeel’s annual group exhibition, “Made in Tashkeel 2015”, celebrates the creativity of UAE-based artists with artworks that range from paintings, typography, digital and screen prints to handmade jewellery, bespoke furniture and a vinyl record.
Tashkeel is a nonprofit art organisation established in 2008 by Lateefa Bint Maktoum with the aim of facilitating art and design practice, creative experimentation, cross cultural dialogue and engaging the local community with art. The organisation’s spacious premises in Nad Al Sheba offer studio space and outdoor working areas for artists and designers, as well as facilities for experimenting with various techniques and media such as print making, photography, textile printing, jewellery making, 3D printing and laser cutting.
It also supports the UAE’s creative community by organising professional and recreational workshops, artists’ residencies, international fellowships, exhibitions, talks, seminars and other art related events.
The artists and designers featured in “Made in Tashkeel 2015” include talented young Emiratis, UAE-based Tashkeel members of all nationalities and international artists who came to Dubai through Tashkeel’s residency programme; and all the works presented in the show were developed during experimentations, art and design workshops and residencies facilitated by and held at Tashkeel throughout the year.
The products showcased by designers Talin Hazbar, Rand Abdul Jabbar and Latifa Saeed were developed as part of Tashkeel’s design programme, Tanween, which highlights designs and production processes innate to the UAE. Jabbar collaborated with a dhow-maker to create prototypes of a chair and table inspired by the shape and look of a dhow; and Saeed has given a new spin to traditional weaving techniques with her kinetic artworks created from palm fronds. Hazbar has used blocks of locally mined stone and travertine to create a beautiful chandelier and a set of rustic candle sticks.
Alia Bin Omair got the inspiration to experiment with Frankincense and gold foil after attending a workshop by well-known Egyptian jewellery designer Azza Fahmy, organised at Tashkeel by D3; whereas Lebanese-American jewellery designer Zuleika Penniman collaborated with a Buddhist monk in Nepal to create her “Hereafter” collection of handmade jewellery, inspired by amulets and talismans. It includes the “Lakshmi” necklace, where the image of the Indian deity of wealth has been carved in turquoise by the monk, and the clasp of the gold necklace is a central feature of the design.
In another piece she has created her personal amulet based on various depictions of deities from different cultures and combined it with rare Biwa pearls from Japan. The design also includes two semi-circular gold pieces that can be moved to hide the amulet.
“My work references the past while looking to the future. By collaborating with traditional craftsmen I hope to keep their art and skills alive, while keeping them relevant in the present. In this collection I have used ancient goldsmithing techniques as well as modern digital technology, merging the past with the present and blurring the distinction between the perfection of digital design with the unique beauty of handmade artisanal creations,” Penniman says.
Siblings Bahar and Sawsan Al Bahar worked together to create an innovative cardboard and metal lamp decorated with laser cut patterns; and Debjani Bhardwaj also used the laser cutter at Tashkeel for making her whimsical works on paper featuring fantasy creatures and botanical elements. Street artist Myneandyours is displaying a thought-provoking digital print titled “Something to Believe In”; while Tulip Hazbar and Salama Nasib have used screen printing to create their contemplative pieces.
Hadil Moufti’s mixed media work features her signature animal motifs, but Maitha Demithan, who is known for her scanographic art, is showcasing a digital print of her drawing. Iraqi artist Ruba Al Araji’s delicate graphite drawing, “Embedded Memories”, speaks eloquently about her memories and dreams of a homeland she has not visited for a long time.
“Although this is a very personal piece, I hope every viewer can relate with the stories I am telling and interpret them in their own way,” Al Araji says. Judy Shinnick-Nolan’s oil-on-canvas portrait also has an intimate quality.
Spanish street artist Ruben Sanchez first came to Dubai on a residency with Tashkeel, which gave him the opportunity to develop his studio practice and experiment with new materials and techniques. He is now based in the city and is showcasing a signature piece made from found wood and signage, and another piece where he has used resin coating to give a new dimension to his Mediterranean- and Arabian-inspired paintings on wood.
London-based sound artists Fari Bardley and Chris Weaver also spent a year as resident artists at Tashkeel, during which they explored the vocal interpretation of the traditional Emirati sadu weave. They are presenting a limited edition vinyl record featuring experimental music recorded in collaboration with local musicians and artists in “A Model Studio”, which they had installed in the gallery during their sound art exhibition at Tashkeel.
The show also features typographic works created by the participants of the Modular Arabic Type Design workshop hosted by Tashkeel, and a collage by Tashkeel’s studio manager Tamsin Wildy. Also on display is a hand painted 3D printed installation commemorating significant dates in Palestinian history, created by Sawsan Al Bahar for the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.
Jyoti Kalsi is an arts enthusiast based in Dubai.
“Made in Tashkeel 2015” will run at Tashkeel until August 20.
Tashkeel Summer Camp 2015
Tashkeel is hosting a variety of workshops for children aged eight to 16 from August 16 to August 26. The workshops will be conducted by well-known UAE-based artists and all materials will be provided. The cost is Dh250 per workshop; Dh1,150 for one week; and Dh2,200 for two weeks. Details of the sessions are as follows:
Casting workshop (August 16) : Participants will learn different techniques of making moulds and casts.
Stamp making (August 17): Participants will design and make their own stamps using Linocut technique.
Screen printing (August 18 and 26): Participants will use screen printing and stencils to design and make personalised T-shirts.
Batik (August 19): Participants will create a hand-drawn design and use melted wax and fabric dye to create their own unique batik pieces.
Ultimate Sketchbook (August 20 and 23): Participants will use everyday materials to create personal sketchbooks based on their daily lives and experiences.
Monoprinting (August 20): Participants will experiment with colour mixing, creating backgrounds and textures and hand-drawing to create unique monoprints.
Dry Point Etching (August 22): Participants will create a plate for printing using dry point etching.
Illustration (August 24): Participants will learn to illustrate their favourite characters or moment from a story.
Pin Hole Camera (August 25): Participants will learn how an analog camera works by building a pin hole camera and develop the photographs in a dark room.
For more information and registration visit tashkeel.org or call 04 3361 606.
