Emirati women making telli (a form of traditional embroidery) weaves, details of their jewellery and dresses, and the landscapes they live in are all part of a new series of paintings by the Emirati artist Budour Al Ali. The collection will go on display today at Al Ain Heritage Festival in a tribute to the culture and the women of the Emirates.
“Through my art, I am trying to empower Muslim women and showcase their dignity,” says Al Ali. “In western culture there is often the wrong impression given of Muslim women and my paintings go some way to overcome this stereotype.”
The exhibition also includes portraits of the younger generation of Emirati women going about their daily lives.
“These paintings focus on their dresses, their henna-painted hands and make-up and also their relationships with each other. I want to show the world how we celebrate our mothers and our women, but most importantly that we are free to do what we want. At the end of the day, I don’t just want to have an art exhibition – I want to use it as a tool to raise awareness.”
• Budour Al Ali: Solo Exhibition at Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, is from Wednesday, April 15 until Saturday, April 18; 5.30pm to 9pm
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