Dubai Culture announces Mattar Bin Lahej as Sikka Art Fair 2016 curator

Dubai: The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate's dedicated entity for heritage, arts and culture, has announced that renowned local artist Mattar Bin Lahej will be the curator for the sixth edition of its flagship arts and cultural initiative, Sikka Art Fair.

The contemporary artist-led fair, held as part of Dubai Art Season, the two-month long umbrella arts initiative by Dubai Culture, is aimed at nurturing and promoting Emirati and UAE-based talent.

Under the direction of Mattar, SIKKA Art Fair this year will focus on identifying the UAE and the wider GCC region's aspiring and emerging visual, performing, musical, and cinematic artists.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said, "A renowned artist who brings unmatched insights on the arts, Mattar bin Lahej will play a crucial role in identifying the next generation of artists, all of whom will collectively contribute to strengthening the city's cultural fabric during this year's Sikka Art Fair. We're confident that under his guidance this year's edition will provide participants the drive, passion and knowledge on various disciplines of art and redefine Sikka as the definitive platform for emerging artists."

Mattar Bin Lahej is a UAE artist, a painter, sculptor and photographer who has been recognised as one of the UAE's most successful, second generation of artists. He is self-taught and has vast experience in all types of visual arts underlined by his unique style and quality.

The most obvious features of his art pieces are evoked through the usage of the concepts of movement and visual immediacy, which is dominant in all his artworks. They are characterised by high philosophy and well-known notions and standards.

His most important sculptures are: Moons of Forgiveness, Encyclopedia, Fusion, spread of Language, Dying Language, Depth and Speed, The eye of Arabic Calligraphy, Icon of Dubai Tram Opening (Balance), Icon of Civil Aviation (Arabic Roots) and Folding Proverbs (USA).

Sikka Art Fair 2016 has diverse spread and covers a range of art disciplines including visual arts, animation, design, new media, literature and poetry, music and performing arts. The fair offers artists, art enthusiasts and visitors deep insights into the creative flourish of culture and arts in the UAE and the GCC region.

The Fair is an integral part of the two-month long Dubai Art Season, the umbrella-arts initiative by Dubai Culture that includes visual arts projects, music, live performances, video art and workshops, among others.