As part of the UAE’s 50th National Day celebration, Ajman Free Zone hosted the Artoze 2021 art competition in cooperation with Ajman Media City Free Zone and Magzoid Magazine. The competition provided artists and creators a platform to showcase their distinguished artworks featuring the country’s 50 glorious years towards progress and development.
More than 170 artists from 25 countries submitted their visual arts, paintings, sculptures and other masterpieces. The artworks were exhibited for the public from 2 December, 2021 to 6 December, 2021 at Marsa, Ajman followed by an award ceremony on 7 December, 2021.
The artworks were admired by all and received high praises from the spectators. The panel of judges comprised Emirati artist Adel Ali Alblooshi, Development Services Executive at Ajman Free Zone; Khalil Abdulwahid, Director of Fine Arts Department at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; and Atul Panase, Artist and Curator and holder of the UAE golden visa.
Egyptian artist Alia Medhat was declared the winner by the three-member jury for her artwork that narrates the UAE’s growth and progress over the past 50 years. She will receive full support to enable her to establish an art company at Ajman Free Zone. The Special Mention for Best Technique was won by three artists Dr. Ajit Gadekar, Nathalie Santa and Labiba Ferhat, for Best Storyline was won by Karina Sarkisova, Best Ideation was won by Shilpika Ponnappa, Expressive Brushwork was won by Clarisse Bautista, Best use of Iconology and Symbolism was won by Sanniya Adnan, Inspiring Artist was won by Laitu AP and Critics Choice was won by Iti Sethi.
The competition was supported by Ajman Tourism, Talabat, Radisson Blu, Barakat, American Aesthetic, Crown Private School, Ahmed Al Maghribi, Swiss Image Arabia and Epitome.
H.E. Eng. Ali AlSuwaidi, Director General of Ajman Free Zone, commented: “Artoze 2021 enabled artists, creators and other talents to display their artworks inspired by the UAE’s unprecedented achievements over the past 50 years under the guidance of our wise leadership. We were honored to celebrate the 50th National Day in a uniquely creative way. Through this art competition, we at Ajman Free Zone demonstrated anew our commitment to raise the competitiveness of the arts and culture sector, which is an integral part of our cultural heritage and vital to our booming economy.”