The Murals exhibition at Al Qattara Arts Centre in Al Ain reflects on the country’s fast-changing growth. Al Qattara Arts Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary with two exhibitions, both featuring UAE-based artists and both taking inspiration from a wide variety of rich, culturally-driven themes influenced by the region.
The exhibition will feature 12 artists from the UAE commissioned to explore the country’s heritage and history, as well as its embrace of modernity, through large-scale works.
The second exhibition on view is titled Common Ground, which takes a broader look at Gulf history, specifically the links between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Seven Emirati artists – Ahmad Saeed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, Ghanem Younes, Khalid Al Tamimi, Maryam Al Suwaidi, Roudha Al Shamsi, Saoud Al Dhaheri, and Sarah Aladayleh – consider the social, cultural and economic commonalities of the two countries, while highlighting the nuances as well.
Common Ground was previously shown at Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation in early 2020, where it was conceived as a response to Saudi prince Sultan bin Fahad’s The Red Palace exhibition.
“For years, we have offered a family-friendly venue where arts and culture can be discovered and practiced by the Abu Dhabi community and visitors to Al Ain,” Ahmed Mohammed Barzaiq, head of Al Qattara Arts Centre, said. “With these extraordinary works by a variety of talented local artists, we honour the thriving cultural scene of the emirate, and the past, present and future of our great country. The artworks are a must-see, and I invite the public to visit us and enjoy this visual celebration.”
Since it was established in 2011, Al Qattara Arts Centre has put together public programming across visual art, film and craft, showcasing artists living and working in the UAE. Apart from its galleries, the centre also has dedicated areas for archaeological and heritage-focused shows and studios for art classes and workshops.