Damascus, Dubai and now off to the US – Nasr Warour is marking his final moments in the UAE with a new show at XVA Gallery.
The exhibition 21st Summer refers to his 21 years in the country and features his paintings, sculptures and photographs.
Born and raised in Syria, Warour started his art studies in the mid-1980s, with sculpture as his primary medium. He continued his art education at the University of Damascus before leaving Syria in 1986.
His practice also evolved during this period, as he switched to painting and began working with large-scale pieces that depict a range of forms, from Cubist elements to calligraphic, vortex spirals.
His show at XVA Gallery, located in Dubai's historical Al Fahidi district, includes works produced in the past two decades.
Warour's The Three Graces from 2009 explores connection as several hands and figures attempt to reach and touch each other across the canvas. He goes even more abstract in 2012's Rain Upwords, a textured piece with shapes reminiscent of landscapes.
Opening on Monday, June 21, the solo show is a gesture of gratitude to Dubai, says the artist.
"Ten years after moving to Dubai I showcased my work at Al Shamsi Art House in Sharjah. And today, as I start a new chapter, I am grateful to be getting the opportunity to say thanks to a city that has been my home for 21 years with this second [show]. These formative years cannot be measured by time but by success, love and peace," he said.
XVA Gallery, which has been around since 2003 and has participated in fairs such as Art London and Art Basel Hong Kong, will show 21st Summer until Wednesday, July 21.
More information is at xvagallery.com
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
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Cardiff City 0
Liverpool 2
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Second leg
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Western Clubs Champions League:
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Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
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Types of policy
Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
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Jackfruit
Supermarkets across the UAE
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
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