Four new artworks will exclusively grace Louvre Abu Dhabi, courtesy of patron Snow Li.
As well as being a patron of Louvre Abu Dhabi and Dubai Art Collection, Li has been acquiring pieces since 2005 with a focus on Middle Eastern and Chinese contemporary art and design. The new additions, to be displayed soon, are intended to enrich the museum’s range of cross-cultural artworks.
Late Emirati artist Hassan Sharif's 2009 work, titled Venus and Fish No 6, will be permanently showcased in the museum on Saadiyat Island. The acrylic painting juxtaposes the Goddess Venus, a symbol of love, with a fish to hint at Sharif's exploration of identity and tradition.
Madame Tussaud (Nothing Has Changed. Except The Run of The Rivers, The Shape of Forests, Shores, Deserts, and Glaciers) is one of two pieces by the trio Hesam Rahmanian, Ramin and Rokni Haerizadeh to likewise be gifted by Li. Taking cues from nature, the 2021 artwork provides a commentary on the impermanence of our physical surroundings and is defined by its use of collage with gesso and acrylic ink.
The second piece by the collective is Where One Holds: A Golden Flag in One Hand, Calling: Quick and A Torch in One Hand, Whining: Gone – a work steeped with symbolism in its exploration of identity.
Finally, the 2019 painting Untitled – known for its use of two and three-dimensional forms to create evocative symmetric patterns – by pioneering Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, will be relocated.
Speaking about the decision to gift the significant works, Li said: “Art has the power to go beyond borders, cultures and time. It is a universal language that speaks to our shared humanity. As a patron of Louvre Abu Dhabi, I am honoured to contribute these four artworks to the museum’s collection."
“Each artwork tells a story – a narrative of resilience, evolution and creativity. By sharing these treasures, we bridge the past and the present, inviting visitors to explore the intricate beauty of our collective history.”
Louvre Abu Dhabi director Manuel Rabate says the latest pieces underwent a rigorous curatorial process.
“Snow's donation aids us in accessing collections of the region, fostering a deeper connection with the cultural heritage of our surroundings while simultaneously expanding our esteemed collection,” he said.
“While these artworks are indeed a gift, they are acquired through a meticulous process of accessioning, ensuring their seamless integration into our museum's narrative and universal identity as a global cultural institution.”
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Final: UAE beat Qatar by nine wickets
Third-place play-off: Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by five runs
Table
1 UAE 5 5 0 10
2 Qatar 5 4 1 8
3 Saudi 5 3 2 6
4 Kuwait 5 2 3 4
5 Bahrain 5 1 4 2
6 Maldives 5 0 5 0
The Lost Letters of William Woolf
Helen Cullen, Graydon House
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
'Morbius'
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
Rating: 2/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
