34 / 126
Najat Makki
is an Emirati
artist who mostly works
with paint, sometimes with
sculptures and acrylic on
canvas and travels abroad
for exhibitions, art workshops
and lectures.*
Thoughts on UAE’s
rapid development
in creative sectors
In the past five years, we have
more art galleries and more
art institutions which have set
up courses and exhibitions in
addition to cooperation with
local and international artists.
10 years ago, there were a few
galleries in the UAE and few
artists, however, now we have
so many art galleries, different
kinds of museums in all
Emirates, and art colleges. This is
very important for us as artists.
Fostering growth in
your field
In the UAE, you see more
biennales and symposiums
which attract local or
international artists.
Sheikha Noor from Sharjah
made an attractive exhibition
about the art of history of the
UAE at Venice Biennale. And
UAE art can be seen at Art Basel,
in Asian countries – we travel
to such events, and we have the
opportunity to display our work.
Abdul Qader Al Rais, the
famous artist in the UAE, started
in the past in the UAE, but
now displays work in famous
museums in Europe, and
Mohamed Kazim is another.
Where do you
envision Dubai in
the next five years?
I think Dubai always has
something new coming up.
Dubai’s art scene is getting more
artists coming in with new ideas,
and more variety, like work with
crystal and glass. And more
art related business is coming
to Dubai. I believe the Arts &
Culture scene in the UAE will
have a similar position as the
business and economic sectors.
Fatma Al Bagali,
an
Emirati professional Arabic
calligrapher is currently
working as a project
executive in Dubai Arabic
Calligraphy Center.*
Thoughts on UAE’s
rapid development
in creative sectors
I have witnessed lots of support
from the UAE government
in many kinds of art; for
example: there are many fine
arts colleges and centers, art
biennials, many international
galleries, international art
museums, art competitions and
awards, international and local
exhibitions, in addition to UAE
art and cultural days in many
countries in Europe, Asia, and
America. Furthermore, there are
many professional art materials
shops in the UAE now readily
on-hand for those of us in
creative fields.
Fostering growth in
your field
Arabic Calligraphy is our
identity; it has a special and
very big support in the UAE.
This is evidenced in the many
international and local events in
many emirates. This includes:
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah,
and Ajman, with events such
as the Dubai International
Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition,
The Dubai Arabic Calligraphy
Center, Horoof Arabiya
Magazine (the very first Arabic
magazine specialized in Arabic
Calligraphy arts), the Al
Owais Award in Calligraphy,
international Calligraphy
biennials, the Islamic Arts
Festival, the Calligraphy
Museum, the Islamic Civilization
Museum, and the Al Burda
Award, to name a few.
Where do you
envision Dubai in
the next five years?
Insha’Allah, it will be amongst
one of the most famous central
arts cities in the Middle East as
well as one of the top arts cities
around the world as always.
30
Nov/Dec 2016