Shurooq Amin picked up a paintbrush before she could even hold a pencil. But her burning passion for art has not made her journey to becoming a globally renowned artist an easy one.
The Kuwaiti artist, whose work is deemed provocative, has been censored throughout her career, for what she says is simply being an Arab Muslim woman.
This is what pushed her to seek out a world with no creative boundaries and delve into NFTs.
For International Women's Day, we take a look at how Amin and other creative females in the region are using this space to their advantage.
NFTs and censorship
The idea of creating art that could not be censored was particularly alluring for Amin, as her work often explores taboos and paradoxes that exist in modern-day Middle Eastern society.
In 2012, an exhibition she held in Kuwait City under the name It's a Man's World was shut down within three hours for including "inappropriate" content, as it depicted Arab men living double lives. The exhibition was her first to be closed down, despite coming after a similar collection called Society Girls, which portrayed Arab women as having hidden lives.
For weeks after the shutdown of It's a Man's World, Amin's morale was destroyed.
“It was traumatising, I stayed in bed for days,” she tells The National. “It was almost like they were telling me 'How dare you, an Arab Muslim woman, speak out about the patriarchy?'”
Despite the backlash, in 2013 Amin created the Popcornographic series, a 15-piece collection that explores the social taboos and conventional perceptions of being a Muslim Arab woman.
The name was inspired by an innocent slip of the tongue her daughter made when asking about why her artwork was being criticised.
“As soon as I heard my daughter ask me why people are saying my work is popcornographic, something clicked inside my head. I knew exactly what I had to do.”
Fast forward a few years and several cancelled shows later, Amin has compiled all her previously banned work into one NFT collection named Popcornographics.
“In this space, I can create without the fear of being silenced," she says. "It’s my way of putting my art out without any restrictions.”
Empowering women in the digital space
Now that she's embraced the NFT community, Amin is focusing her efforts on giving other creatives that same opportunity.
That’s how she crossed paths with Sharifa AlBarami, an Omani tech entrepreneur and angel investor with a similar mission.
Throughout her working experience with start-ups and entrepreneurs, AlBarami had always been interested in keeping up with emerging technologies that could disrupt sectors and improve the human experience.
“That’s exactly what NFTs do,” she says. “They have so much potential in so many fields.”
Many young Arab women are eager to know more and understand this emerging technology, and they’re more than capable to jump right in and do wonders
Sharifa AlBarami,
tech entrepreneur and angel investor
After doing extensive research, AlBarami realised that the decentralised blockchain technology can help bridge a huge gap in the creative world as it gives artists rightful ownership of the original work, making it easier for them to present, access or resell it. It also gives purchasers a guarantee that they are the owners of a one-of-a-kind digital asset.
“It’s revolutionary,” she says. “Creatives have rarely been able to really cash in on their talents, and now is their chance to do so.”
The desire to forgo the existing labour market structure and cultivate a space for creatives to capitalise on their skills is the leading force behind AlBarami’s work in the NFT community.
“We need more artists in the world,” she says. “We need more people to create and express themselves, and this is the perfect means to empower them.”
The collector hosts a weekly Twitter Space about NFTs in the Arab world, during which she breaks down the technology and guides potential joiners. The Space is held in Arabic and attracts more than 1,500 viewers and participants, with a notable presence of Arab women, including Amin.
“This is a telling sign of what’s to come,” she says. “Many young Arab women are eager to know more and understand this emerging technology, and they’re more than capable to jump right in and do wonders,” AlBarami said.
How NFTs can help achieve equality
Another promising NFT project led by a young Arab woman is Beyond Power.
Created at the beginning of December, it's a collection of about 10,000 illustrations or characters of women from different cultures and backgrounds, highlighting representation and diversity.
Beyond Power was founded by Raya Oklah, 29, a UI/UX designer from Jordan who has been working with NFTs full-time for the past five months.
“I quit my job to focus all my energy and potential on this, that’s how much I believe in NFTs and what they can do,” she says.
She started by creating a few characters, and later hired a team of designers to help her grow the collection.
The purpose of Beyond Power is to equalise opportunities for women in the Web3 era.
“Web2, or the internet we know and use today, is filled with gender disparities,” says Oklah. “It’s an uneven space, but Web3 will be different.”
Due to the centralised nature of Web2, decisions come from authorities that are most often male-dominated. This, according to Oklah, leaves no room for impact.
Meanwhile, the non-hierarchical structure of Web3 allows women to make their own rules.
“It’s a space that we can shape ourselves,” she tells The National. “And we’re going to carve it in a way that gives women equal opportunities.”
The Beyond Power collection, which is slated to launch in April, is made up of female characters wearing sunglasses with various empowering words on them.
“Powerful, fierce, hustler and more … these words are meant to serve as affirmations,” says Oklah. “We want every woman to look at our NFTs and see themselves in those characters.
“Because they are powerful, they are capable and they are going to make a change in this revolutionary space.”
How NFTs can impact identity
Despite being intangible, some NFT art pieces leave a discernible mark.
Such is the work of Nour Hage, a Lebanese fashion designer who ventured into the world of digital art in early 2021.
Her very first NFTs were portraits of three of the Arab world’s most powerful historic female figures: ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti; Dido, the founder and queen of Carthage, a Phoenician city-state located in modern Tunisia; and Zenobia, queen of the Palmyrene Empire, located in modern Syria.
These sold within 24 hours.
“I was amazed,” she says. “I first worked on those pieces as a side project, but I knew I had to dedicate more time and effort then.”
Despite her brother’s pleas for her to get into NFTs in 2017, it wasn’t until last year that Hage really delved into the technology.
“It instantly clicked for me, I quickly became obsessed with them,” she says.
She put her digital art skills to use and created her second collection, an ode to her grandmother and the life she lived.
“My artwork in general is focused on documentation of experiences and transmission of memory from one generation to another, and this collection was no different,” says Hage.
“My grandmother truly led an intriguing life, she travelled places, collected objects and experienced so much, and I wanted to translate that through portraits of her over her lifetime using pieces of clothing she gave me.”
Despite the personal sentiment behind the pieces, Hage’s work was a success among collectors, several of whom minted their first NFTs from her collections.
“This just shows that being true to yourself, especially in such a new and supportive medium, can go a long way,” says Hage.
“It’s a very welcoming community, and not at all as terrifying as it seems. So for anyone who’s looking to join, do it. This is just the beginning.”
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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
How Beautiful this world is!
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Cry Macho
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam
Rating:**
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m, Winner: ES Rubban, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Jabalini, Tadhg O’Shea, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: AF Abahe, Tadgh O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Makerah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Law Of Peace, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
Engine: 2.3-litre, turbo four-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Power: 300hp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: Dh189,900
On sale: now
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
