Dubai Culture: ‘Change’ exhibition enriches the components of the cultural scene and the creative movement in Dubai and the Emirates

The ‘Change’ exhibition, inaugurated by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and hosted by Akkas Visual Arts Center at its headquarters in Al Fahidi District, took place from 3 to 24 September. As the governmental Authority responsible for empowering the culture and creativity sector in the emirate, Dubai Culture’s support for the exhibition stemmed from its keenness to encourage all efforts, initiatives and projects that would enhance Dubai’s position as an incubator that provides creative talents the world over with opportunities for cooperation, interaction and creativity. ‘Change’ is the first art exhibition to be organised following the easing of the restrictions that were imposed due to the pandemic.

The exhibition’s opening ceremony witnessed the presence of a group of dignitaries and artists from the United Arab Emirates, including Abdul Qadir Al Rayes, one of the most prominent pioneers of fine art in the country; Khalil Abdul Wahid, the director of the fine arts department at Dubai Culture; Jassim Al-Awadi, founder of the Akkas Center; Nasser Jumaa bin Sulaiman, manager of Al-Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood; and Rashid Obaid Al-Suwaidi, Dubai Culture’s premier cultural guide.

Bin Sulaiman said: “Al Fahidi Neighbourhood, the historical and cultural landmark that harbours the emirate’s past and reflects its vibrant present, is an ideal platform for such creative exhibitions that contribute to strengthening Dubai’s position as a global cultural centre where the world’s artistic and intellectual creators converge. We were pleased at Dubai Culture to have supported this exhibition that provided the public and those interested in visual arts the opportunity to see the latest local artworks and experience the values ​​of positivity and hope that they seek to spread beyond the isolation imposed by the pandemic on the global cultural and artistic scene.”

He added: “The exhibition enriched the cultural scene in Dubai and the creative movement in the UAE in general. It reflected the distinct societal fabric in the emirate, which embraces more than 190 nationalities from around the world who live on its land in harmony and interaction, by featuring creative works from multiple schools as well as from experienced, emerging and independent talents. The Authority’s support of this exhibition falls within the framework of its updated strategic roadmap, in which the empowerment of creativity and innovators is one of its sectoral priorities help to achieve its vision of strengthening Dubai’s position as a global centre for art and culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent. We were pleased to witness the interaction and participation of all members of society in this distinguished artistic initiative.

The ‘Change’ exhibition presented contemporary explorations of visual arts that brought together multiple cultures under one roof. It also gave visitors an opportunity to engage in dialogues within an artistic, cultural atmosphere, made possible due to the efforts of Akkas and Jassim Al-Awadi foundation that seeks to support creative people to spread art and enrich the cultural sector between members of the society. The exhibition aimed to reflect the course of art, the positive state of change that had affected the artist’s works, and his role in supporting the society with art during the pandemic, providing a great opportunity for creators to contemplate, coexist and create.

The list of participants in the exhibition included Ahmed Al Falasi, Ahmed Al Saadi, Amal Al Hamiri, and Aisha Al Suwaidi from the UAE; Khanjan Soni, Masarat Fatima Soleimani, and Jumathi Sivasubramanian from India; Aisha Abdul-Raziq and Rahman Zada from Pakistan; Abeer Al-Eidani from Iraq; Fatima Mohsen from Egypt; Fatima Jawad from Bahrain; Spencer Hogue from the United Kingdom; and Maryam Ziyad from Palestine.