Dubai: The Cultural Office recently held the second edition of its ‘Let’s Talk Art’ initiative with a session titled ‘The Art of Murals’ featuring distinguished Emirati visual artist Ashwaq Abdullah. The session focused on the art of morals as a medium for creative expression and thought.
‘Let’s Talk Art’ is a knowledge-sharing platform, connecting experienced artists with art and design students across the UAE.
Under the patronage of Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, president of the UAE Gender Balance Council, president of Dubai Women Establishment, the platform provides a “unique platform for the exchange of ideas between art students and renowned artists in the UAE,” Al Maha Al Bastaki, director of The Cultural Office, said.
“Such platforms pave the way for the upcoming generation of artists to contribute to the local and international arts and culture scene. Young artists have an important role to play in furthering the UAE’s standing as a nation that catalyses innovation and attracts creative minds from around the world,” she said.
She described Ashwaq’s art elegantly combines rich elements of the Emirati heritage with contemporary aspects of modernity.
She said: “At a time when art is being used as a medium to illustrate and portray elements of UAE’s tradition and culture, Ashwaq’s art is instrumental in providing inspiration for further artistic creativity.”
During the session, Ashwaq Abdullah shared her experience as an ever-evolving artist in the UAE and highlighted the significant role art plays in connecting cultures and civilisations.
“Painting murals presents me with exciting challenges I do not usually face in an art studio. Murals constitute working in public and large-scale painting, which completely changes my sense of dimensions and angles,” Ashwaq said.
She shared her experience of painting a mural of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan on a 12-story building and highlighted how taking on that particular task required her to adopt other artists’ techniques and strategies.
“The best way to overcome a challenge is to observe and learn. Art is constantly changing and evolving, and artists need to adapt to the changes. The key is to never stop practising in order to improve yourself as an artist and to enhance your creative skill sets,” she said.
