Art for art's sake

A multimedia exhibition of paintings, photographs and sculpture, under the heading Convergence, was organised at the Art Workshop, recently, exhibiting works of four talented Abu-Dhabi based artists – Nicole Raymer, Sally Kirk, Svilen Petrov Petrov and James Lowe.

Nicole Raymer, who has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the U.S., has been teaching art for seven years and is currently teaching at the American International School in Abu Dhabi.

Nicole displayed a series of photographs full of light and shade, textures, shapes, designs and reflections contrasting the wonder of nature with the wonder of modern architecture. There were also a series of pencil drawings and plaster, mosaic and bronze pieces with a strong art deco feel.

Sally Kirk, who has a B.A. (Hons) in Architectural Design, displayed three flower designs, segmented and painted in vivid colours.

Two plaster and two ceramic sculptures showed movement and form and a series of lovely photographs capturing the fragility of a butterfly alighting on a lily and carp swimming amid lily pads and reflections in the water were specially noteworthy.

James Lowe is a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art and has a postgraduate diploma in Design Ceramics/Illustration. James has managed to capture everyday life in the Gulf in his photos.

His work gives a glimpse into those lives, holding the glance of a fisherman or a child for a moment before they return to their busy lives. Lowe's pastels also reflect life in the Gulf, they are gentle yet full of movement and with a strong sense of design.

Svilen Petrov Petrov who has been teaching at the Cultural Foundation for five years is a member of the International Association of Art, Unesco and the Bulgarian Art Union. Svilen's work is beautifully sculptured and very tactile. The three studies in copper plating of Metamorphosis are bold and beautiful as well as meticulously detailed in deep relief.

The Three Graces in brown onyx and brass are given an Egyptian theme. The piece has a sense of elegance and movement as with all Svilen's work, some of which is permanently on display at the Art Workshop.