Samar Kamel, a Dubai-based artist, uses a variety of mediums to communicate with the public, including tissue papers, nail polish, and tea bags. The Egyptian artist, who came to Dubai with her husband 30 years ago, is a published author and the curator of World Art Dubai (WAD). She explained that she was sipping tea in her studio when the idea of putting tea bags in her paintings came to her.
She feels that all artists like her incorporate whatever they can into their work in order to express themselves or send a message to the public.
She used her talent to bring attention to societal concerns that needed to be addressed. She received an Emirates Women for Arts and Culture Award nomination. She believes she was nominated for the award because she organized charity auctions to collect funds for marginalized segments of society and women imprisoned in Cairo owing to outstanding debts. “I feel that art is a message in and of itself,” she remarked.
She went on to say that the UAE has emerged as the Gulf’s ‘Art Hub’ during the last 15 years and that this is a great example of the country’s support for artists and art. It’s no surprise that numerous UAE musicians have been granted Golden Visas. “As more artists chose to make the UAE their home, the UAE began to shine as a beacon of art. “Art in the emirates has evolved from a regional to a global phenomenon,” she noted.