Fascinated by the Arabian world of the past, Brazilian realist artist Edilson Élio Barbosa has depicted a number of scenes from bygone days – men trading in souqs, a caravan of camels, and the street life around towns whose skyline is made up solely of wind towers.
Barbosa's works are on display in From The Deserts of Arabia, an exhibition of seven artists on show at Dubai's Marina Mall for Ramadan. It is hosted by art galleries Authentique Art & Design, based in Jumeirah, and Monda Gallery, which has an online retail store as well as a permanent space within Kinokuniya bookstore in The Dubai Mall.
Also in the exhibition is Olivia Boa, a French-Algerian artist, who produces paintings in pairs. She usually picks a distinctive element of the landscape of the UAE – such as Burj Khalifa or Burj Al Arab – and completes one painting in her signature style, using a bright palette of pastel blues, pinks, purples and greens, overlaid with neat squares, to symbolise the pixels of a digital photograph. The second she paints using the same colours, but does so blindfolded so as to create a much more emotional and abstract image – a technique she was inspired to adopt after her third son was born visually impaired.
Lebanese artist Mireille Boustany uses Arabic calligraphy in an abstract form, while Suzi Nassif, also from Lebanon, has produced a series of acrylic paintings, mostly portraits, that are focused on the subject of faith which she describes as a reflection of her own spiritual journey.
Elizabeth Bruce is also showing her canvases. Since moving from Scotland to Dubai in 2012, the artist says she has been inspired by the colours and textures of her new environment.
“The colours of the landscape are warm and contrasting – very different to back home in Scotland. My paintings reflect my personality, inspiration, and passion for the culture and heritage of the UAE.”
Etienne van den Peereboom, the founder of Monda Gallery, says that teaming up with Authentique for this collaborative exhibition has presented the opportunity to bring a wide variety of work to the public.
“The number of galleries in Dubai now is incredible, and this can mean the business is quite difficult for some, so it is important to support each other,” he says.
• From the Deserts of Arabia runs until Tuesday in the Atrium of Dubai Marina Mall. For more details, visit www.authentique-art.com or www.mondagallery.com
aseaman@thenational.ae
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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