H.H. Sheikh Majid inaugurates ‘Giants at the Beginning of the Errand’ exhibition at Marsam Mattar Gallery
Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Projects Officer of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) inaugurated a unique display of works by six Emirati artists. Entitled "Giants at the Beginning of the Errand", the eclectic collection is being showcased at the Marsam Mattar Gallery in Dubai.
The exhibition is being held to display paintings by new and promising talent -- Ahmed Al Shehi, Musfer Al Hindi, Fareed Al Rais, Rawia Al Malek, Aisha Al Basti and Khadeja Bint Sultan. It is the first showcasing for these artists under their names in the regional art scene.
Following a tour of the exhibition, Saeed Al Nabouda, Chief Projects Officer of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) stated: "I am very impressed with the quality and depth of the art works that our new Emirati artists have produced. Their work is of a caliber that can be compared to the works of famous artists in the local art scene.
"We have always believed that there is tremendous talent in our people, especially the young and as yet unrecognized ones. It is our responsibility as the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and of private sector institutions such as Marsam Mattar Gallery to identify such talent, provide it with a platform and bring it to the notice of the public, art enthusiasts and patrons," said Saeed Al Nabouda.
"Art is the beautiful part of life in any society and the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is to position Dubai as a vibrant, Arabian global city that shapes 21st Century culture and arts in the region and the world. Consequently, our mission has always been to actively support and drive Dubai's development as a dynamic culture, heritage and arts centre by creating an environment that facilitates and inspires cultural activity," he said.
"Showcasing of ‘Giants at the Beginning of the Errand’ collection by six young and so far unheralded Emirati artists is an example of how talent can be recognised and promoted. It also helps add diversity to the art scene in the region as well as provide benchmarks for comparison of talent between artists so they can improve upon their styles.
"Supporting young local artists is part of the our strategic plan, and we hope that hosting of events like this will give hope to new and aspiring Emirati artists to come forward and be recognised for their art," Saeed Al Nabouda added.
The six Emirati artists, whose works are being showcased, are members of the Marsam Mattar, a local gallery that promotes Emirati artists. Mattar Bin Lahej of Mattar Gallery, himself a creative artist, thanked H.H. Sheikh Majid and Dubai Culture for the support and encouragement in promoting Emirati art - an objective that the Mattar Gallery shared as it too identifies and promotes local artists.
"The gallery is the starting point for showcasing new talent, such as the works of the six new artists who have been brought on to the art platform of the region," he said.
Mattar pointed out that Marsam Mattar opened in 2003 and was the first gallery to focus on Emirati and Arab art with one of its key objectives being to scout for new talent.
"We are committed to the discovery, embracing and refining of artistic talents. We aim to give an artist the functional capacity for innovation and discovery of values in life," he added.