Over the past few months, there has been a rise of climate activists gluing themselves to, or throwing liquids on, art at museums as a means to bring attention to environmental issues.
While these headline-grabbing antics have split popular opinion, many artists are climate activists in their own right, choosing a more measured approach by speaking through their art.
With Cop28 less than a month away, here are some Arab artists creating thought-provoking work that invites the public to reassess their relationship with the world and understand the imminent dangers of the climate crises.
Hashel Al Lamki
Emirati painter and multidisciplinary artist Al Lamki explores the links between people and the environment through his art.
Working across painting and sculptural works, Al Lamki’s practice records the legacies of these landscapes and their relationship with man – particularly how they mould and influence each other. Represented by Tabari Artspace, Al Lamki records everything from mountain ranges to golf courses and architectural feats and uses them to investigate facets of human migration, colonisation and climate change.
Born in Al Ain, Al Lamki has observed the changes in the landscapes of his city and the greater UAE through the development of the Gulf.
Through his considered use of materials, such as creating pigments from local and regional natural resources, and using scientifically inspired methodologies to sketch and paint, Al Lamki records and reveals the fragility of materials and our links to the landscapes we inhabit.
A powerful underlying idea in Al Lamki's work is the dependency of mankind on natural resources and our collective responsibility in making a change to the approaching climate crises already effecting many parts of the world.
Sama Alshaibi
Conceptual and multimedia artist Alshaibi uses the mediums of performance, video, photography and installation to make a commentary on power struggles that follow war and exile. These include the way in which resources, land, mobility and political agency are compromised.
Represented by Ayyam gallery, Alshaibi inserts herself – her likeness and body – into her practice, not as self-portraits but as a vehicle to express ideas and concepts.
The Iraqi / Palestinian artist’s continuing project Silsila – the Arabic word for ‘chain’ or ‘link’ – is a multimedia project depicting Alshaibi’s seven-year journey through the deserts and endangered water sources of the Middle East and North African region.
Inspired by the great 14th century Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta, Alshaibi examines connections between varying cultures under threat of displacement, climate change and other global issues.
Sophia Al Maria
American-Qatari artist, writer and filmmaker Al Maria’s multidisciplinary practice is influenced by pop culture, anime, Arabic poetry, sci-fi and her personal experience of pollution and climate change. Raised between the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf, Al Maria saw first-hand the effects of pollution and global warming, and she weaves these experiences and fears into her practice.
Al Maria uses sci-fi and fantasy-inspired styles to depict a contentious future in her video work The Future was Desert. In the video, she conjures images of the end of the world as we now know it.
Manal Al Dowayan
Now You See Me, Now You Don’t is a unique, interactive and powerful installation by Saudi artist Al Dowayan.
Commissioned in 2020 by Desert X, the site-specific, contemporary art exhibition held in the Coachella Valley in Southern California along with the Royal Commission of AlUla, Al Dowayan created a work that addressed climate change and man-made irrigation practices, through the idea of the fleeting existence of water puddles.
The temporary puddle-like installation is made of huge trampolines laid out across the crevasses of the AlUla landscape that can be touched and jumped on by the public. They also glow at night through the use of a series of lighting techniques, activated by the public’s interaction with them.
Among themes of identity, gender and memory Al Dowayan’s practice also explores issues surrounding environmental degradation and climate change.
“Climate change and irresponsible man-made irrigation practices has made water scarcity one of the most important issues facing my country today,” Al Dowayan said of her work.
“These puddles are indicators of the impending water crisis and the disappearance of these puddles is what I want to examine in this artwork, conceptually speaking I am using this artwork to underline the impact of absence and the politics of visibility.”
Abdulnasser Gharem
What would the world look like if we became climate refugees? Pioneering Saudi artist Gharem explores this idea through his powerful work Climate Refugee (2022).
The work, made with lacquer paint on rubber stamps mounted on aluminium, depicts a world map highlighting how climate change could impact humanity. The installation features tiny blue and turquoise stamps placed in areas containing the most refugees. Within the work, words such as “the violence of economy” or “the largest marine cemetery is Europe” are written, reinforcing the idea that there is an undeniable link between war and damage to the environment.
While Gharem explores themes such as identity and power in his work, climate change and environmental issues are also subjects he believes are crucial for artists to address in their practice.
Adel Abdessemed
Abdessemed, an Algerian-French contemporary artist, works across a number of mediums including animation, installation, performance, sculpture and video.
While his practice tackles themes of violence in the world in all its forms, from displacement and alienation triggered by war to the effects of globalisation on the individual, Abdessemed also inadvertently addresses issues relating to the climate crisis.
He often uses the physical and symbolic power of fire to represent many of these ideas.
In a photograph from his series Description d'un combat (2020) Abdessemed takes influence from the an early work of the writer Franz Kafka and photographs himself holding a burning globe.
In his work Tonight no man will sleep (2022) the photo is replicated in bronze form, painted black with the globe sitting on his shoulder also one fire. In his video work Jam proximus ardet la derniere video (2021) viewers see a burning ship out at sea with Abdessemed standing on the main bridge, oblivious to the fire behind him.
No matter the medium, Abdessemed consistently reminds viewers of mankind’s active contribution to our own demise and destruction on a global scale.
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
SCORES IN BRIEF
Lahore Qalandars 186 for 4 in 19.4 overs
(Sohail 100,Phil Salt 37 not out, Bilal Irshad 30, Josh Poysden 2-26)
bt Yorkshire Vikings 184 for 5 in 20 overs
(Jonathan Tattersall 36, Harry Brook 37, Gary Ballance 33, Adam Lyth 32, Shaheen Afridi 2-36).
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
THREE
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
LOVE%20AGAIN
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AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (87')
Athletic Bilbao 1
Williams (14')
Schedule for Asia Cup
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR
US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.
KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.
The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Summer special
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
THE SPECS – Honda CR-V Touring AWD
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Power: 184hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 244Nm at 3,900rpm
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
0-100kmh in 9.4 seconds
Top speed: 202kmh
Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km
Price: From Dh122,900
Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BLACKBERRY
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
