For one Emirati art curator, Ramadan is time for a different sort of sharing. Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, who runs the Ghaf Gallery in Abu Dhabi, has been organising an annual sale of art for three years now, offering original works by UAE residents at significantly reduced prices.
"Our Art Bazaar offers a lot for people who always wanted to buy an original artwork but never got the chance because they are financially unable to do so. We want to help those who buy want to buy art but need that 50 per cent or more discount," she tells GN Focus.
This year's sale takes place at the gallery today.
Al Suwaidi also believes the event boosts interest in the UAE's art market. "It is to educate the UAE community of the artists who are available in the country, there is no need to travel to buy art, you can find it right here," she says. "We want people to get used to buying original artworks rather than buying art from furniture shops, which are duplicated and printed a million times!"
On sale will be a wide range of work by more than 20 artists resident in the UAE. Among the prominent Emirati artists lending their work to the show are Abdulrahim Salem, Jalal Luqman, Mattar Bin Lahej and Khalil Abdulwahid. Prices range from Dh500 to Dh4,000 at the top end. Contact: 02.665 5332.
EXHIBITION: CALLIGRAPHY SHOW
And in Dubai, calligraphy goes on show this Ramadan. Aayaat, a calligraphy exhibition at the Park Hyatt Dubai, features the work of Narjes Noureddine, Husam Ahmed and Khaled Mahmoud Nafeesi. Organised by Swiss Art Gate UAE, the show runs from 10am to 10pm until the end of the holy month.
