Dubai: If you haven’t passed by already, you have two more weeks to see the art work of the Shaikha Manal Young Artist Award 2013 winners at the window display of Harvey Nichols.

With the aim of supporting the continued growth of the artistic and cultural scene in the UAE, a partnership between The Shaikha Manal Young Artist Award and the international store Harvey Nichols has given four winners the opportunity to design four of the store’s window displays. The works will be on display until the end of Ramadan at the store located in Mall of the Emirates.

Two-time winner of the award Bahar Waiss Al Bahar from Syria told Gulf News that the award has provided him with the support and motivation he needs to continue pursuing his interests amidst the busy professional world.

The 23 year-old’s winning piece is an eight metre wide, two metre deep and 3.2 meters tall geometric art piece that represents the month-long celebration of Ramadan. The concept behind the piece is to replace the perception of time of an event such as Ramadan with a geometric representation. ”It’s a visual and physical representation of what a month could look like - had it been a physical object,” said Al Bahar.

The young artist, who has a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a minor in product design, said this opportunity has not only helped display his abilities, but it all also gives other emerging artist the chance to work with a well-established entity in the market such as Harvey Nichols.

First-place winner of the award, 24-year-old Sarah Al Agroobi from the UAE also agreed that the competition is a great a platform for young artists like herself to showcase their talent. Sarah won first place with her prayer chair piece and displayed another wall design at Harvey Nichols. “The concept of Amal’s Prayer Chair rocks to aid in the act of praying. The concept originates from the desire to aid my late grandmother who struggled to pray in the prostrate position.”

Sarah explained that the typographic pattern on the skin of the chair is derived from the Arabic letter ‘kaf’ and refers to the “The Throne” (Ayatul-Kirsi), a powerful verse in the Holy Quran. “The verse states: “His Chair doth extend, Over the heavens And the Earth...,” she said pointing out that the chair was named after her grandmother.

Also following the theme of Ramadan, Sarah is displaying a wall design that was inspired by an Arabic palindrome typographic, which was rolled across the wall surface. The young artist, who graduated from the American University of Sharjah with a visual communication degree, is currently working on a furniture collection.

Nada Abu Shakra from Palestine, another AUS graduate and third place winner of the Shaikha Manal Award told Gulf News that her passion towards design and aim to win a sound in the public world of Design inspired her to take part in the competition.

Her piece, which is called ‘Digital Couture’, is a 3D printed dress that creates a modern and futuristic view towards Haute Couture by combining fine handwork techniques with futuristic digital technology.

Proving to be a valuable opportunity for young artists, the award and the collaboration reflects the vision of Shaikha Manal, President of Dubai Women Establishment, said Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office of Shaikha Manal.

Her vision is to empower and support the movement of arts and culture in the UAE by providing such initiatives and opportunities that are recognised locally and globally.