Women Of The Hour: Redefining The Conversation Around Women In Art
Amidst persistent gender disparities in the industry, these young Dubai-based female artists are shaping the future of the Alserkal Avenue art scene with their game-changing exhibitions
With its world-famous museums, enclaves of street art and impressive array of galleries, Dubai boasts perhaps the best arts scene in the Middle East. Among the city’s many flourishing and artistic neighbourhoods however, Alserkal Avenue has long been a mecca for creatives, intellectuals, musicians, writers and the style set, having transformed the many warehouses of Al Quoz into a dynamic hub for galleries, creative spaces and cultural events.
In fact, so pivotal is Alserkal Avenue in shaping a space where art, design and cultural practices merge, that today it’s not only home to the arts, but also artisan eateries, eclectic fashion and homeware stores, a vintage car showroom and even fitness studios. Of course, it also attracts the crème de la crème when it comes to female talent too, hosting Dubai-based artists – many Emirati – who are redefining the conversation around women in art, with styles as diverse as their sources of inspiration. These are the women to watch over the coming months.
Asma Belhamar
Dubai born and bred, multidisciplinary artist Asma bridges architecture, memory and cultural identity throughout her works, with a particular focus on exploring the impact of urban megastructures in the Emirates on the visual and topographical memory of the region.
Experimenting with mediums such as prints, textiles, video and three-dimensional modelling, the Rhode Island School of Design graduate draws inspiration from local heritage and contemporary aesthetics, often juxtaposing the rigidity of modern architecture with her fluid natural forms.
The Exhibition: Thresholds of Perception: Redefining Balcony Spaces at Green Art Gallery
Commissioned by Alserkal Arts Foundation and curated by Zoe Whitley as part of the second iteration of ‘Walk With Me’ series, Thresholds of Perception pays homage to Dubai’s architectural history, specifically the balconies reminiscent of apartment buildings where communities converged. Discover how, through precise surface treatments including texture and colour, the balconies merge seamlessly into its environment, creating an optical illusion that challenges traditional perceptions of space and architecture.
Until December 31st 2024 at gagagallery.com
Eman Al Hashemi
A graduate of the University of Sharjah, Emirati artist Eman Al Hashemi channels her creative vision into a dynamic exploration of materiality, form and human interaction with everyday objects, with works spanning a number of mediums including ceramics, sculptures and experimental print.
Influenced by her experiences and surroundings, she regularly goes about reimagining familiar items to provoke new interpretations, and whether it’s through meticulously crafted ceramic towers or layered paper grids, she will be sure to attract attention to the more overlooked details of structure and design in the most unique ways possible.
The Exhibition: Superficial Transactions at Aisha Alabbar Gallery
A deep dive into the subtleties of surface-level connections in today’s fast-paced, digital-driven world, Eman employs layered textures and abstract forms to grapple with ideas of identity, authenticity and the curated facades people present in modern life through this collection of visually striking works. Encouraging us all to pause and reflect on what might be hiding beneath these polished exteriors, the exhibition is sure to spark some important questions about the authenticity of our daily interactions.
Until January 6th 2025, aishaalabbar.art
Fariba Boroufar
Picture this: threads weaving memories, patterns echoing the past and a world of stories told through vibrant textiles. That’s the magic of Fariba Boroufar’s art. Born in Tehran, the Iranian artist puts a modern spin on traditional Kilim weaving, blending the time-honoured craft with her passion for Iranian architecture and culture, resulting in work that feels both deeply personal yet universal.
What’s more, her pieces are more than just beautiful – on a mission to preserve and celebrate the rich traditions of her homeland, they’re layered with meaning, reflecting the fading beauty of historical structures and the fast-paced modernity that often overshadows them.
The Exhibition: In Our Bones at Gallery Isabelle
Fariba’s debut solo exhibition in the UAE, In Our Bones delves into heritage and architecture through the art of weaving, reinterpreting various architectural forms found in the Middle East including traditional wind towers and tiled mosaics. Both a heartfelt tribute to vanishing traditions and a call to embrace cultural roots, it serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder to value and preserve the beauty of the past, even as the modern world continues to evolve.
Until December 7th 2024, ivde.net
Zeinab Al Hashemi
Emirati artist Zeinab Al Hashemi is quickly making waves with her bold, thought-provoking works that marry traditional cultural elements with modern materials and techniques, many of which are designed to reflect on the rapid transformation of the UAE.
Deeply rooted in storytelling, exploring the tension between the country’s natural landscapes and the sleek, geometric urbanism that has reshaped it in recent decades, so impressive is her work that it has already been showcased at international art events like the Sharjah Biennial and Dubai Design Week, while her public installations continue to spark conversations about the intersection of heritage, modernity and identity. It’s not hard to see why.
The Exhibition: Metempsychosis: The Soul’s Journey Through Material at Leila Heller Gallery
Perhaps one of the most personal exhibitions of the season, Metempsychosis is inspired by Zeinab’s own experience of healing following a life-altering car accident. She explores transformation, both physical and emotional, through sculptures crafted from raw industrial materials like metal, steel and screws, mirroring the hardware now embedded in her body, creating a powerful dialogue between personal trauma, materiality, and contemporary existence.
Until January 15th 2025, leilahellergallery.com
Images Supplied