Emirati Artist Sumayyah Al Suwaidi Curates New Group Exhibition Highlighting The Stories Of The Past
The Abu Dhabi-based multi-talented creative is reviving forgotten tales through a group exhibition based on a 1950s folklore, recreated by formative artists and short films
The UAE has long been a place of ancient desert tales passed down from generations through the elders and mostly shared between tribes of the seven Emirates. Exchanged over sand dunes and bonfires in the desert, some of these tales have survived the passing of time, while others have been forgotten as new generations lost touch with desert folklore.
One such story is that of Maheerah, a character inspired by a true story and told by Emirati artist, Abdulrahim Salim’s grandmother. Set in the 1950s in the Emirate of Sharjah, it follows the tale of a beautiful girl who was once proposed by a man for marriage whom she rejected. As an act of revenge, the man cast a spell on Maheerah, robbing her of her beauty and making her an outcast in the community.
For the young Salim, this tale left a lasting impression on his mind and soon he began to paint visions of Maheerah’s character in the 1990s, establishing his prominence in the emerging native art scene of the Emirates.
In a bid to revive the magical lure of such ancient tales, Abu Dhabi-based award-winning artist, entrepreneur, curator and fashion designer Sumayyah Al Suwaidi has curated a special exhibition featuring ten multimedia and 25 figurative artists to recreate the character of Maheerah based on their own interpretations. “This exhibition is a platform to highlight community artists and introduce them to the world,” says Sumayyah.
The exhibition, which will feature a series of commissioned short films, all created during the COVID-19 lockdown, captures the main muse in several stunning visuals including oil, water and acrylic portraits on a canvas of 1.5×2.5 metres. As an artist, designer and curator, Sumayyah is no stranger to the art scene in the UAE having curated her first solo exhibition in 2007 at the Ghaf Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi and then exhibiting and curating shows in the UAE, Morocco and Kuwait and as far as UK, France, China and Germany.
For her, this exhibition is a way to connect the art community to the culture and heritage of the UAE, as well as established, prominent and upcoming artists who drive the dialogue forward through their creative synergies and artistic appeal.
The Maheerah exhibition will run until 22 February 2021 at the Cultural Foundation, Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi. culturalfoundation.ae
All images courtesy of the artist
From the Winter 2020 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Interiors, The Art Issue