Exhibitions, workshops and more, there’s heaps to keep you busy in Dubai…

1. El Beit

A group show exploring themes of identity through painting, photography and sculpture. Featuring the work of three artists: Hazem Harb, Mohammed Joha and Sliman Mansour, the exhibition reflects on the experience of lost identity and displacement in Palestine. The show’s title, which translates from Arabic to ‘feel at home’, makes reference to these themes.

Tabari Artspace, The Gate Village Building, Level 2, DIFC, Dubai, February 6 to March 8, Sun to Thurs 9am to 9pm. Tel: (04) 323 0820. tabariartspace.com

2. All Things Come Apart

Iraqi-British artist Athier is known for his densely packed canvases in which he uses geometric forms, colour blocks and floating shapes to create abstract works that play with perception. In this exhibition, he returns to Dubai with a new series that responds to what he says is an age of global chaos.

Ayyam Gallery, Gate Village Building 3, DIFC, Dubai, until March 8, Sun to Thurs noon to 10pm. Tel: (04) 439 2395. ayyamgallery.com

3. Eyeballing with Olivier Mosset

Learn how to appreciate abstract art at this workshop that delves into the work of conceptual artist Olivier Mosset. Mosset, whose work is currently on display at the Jean-Paul Najar Foundation, was part of an art group called BMPT founded in Paris in 1967 that rejected expressiveness in favour of practical artistic methods. The workshop explores ways of interpreting his art through lively conversation and different activities including drawing exercises. The workshop is free but a voluntary contribution is Dhs100.

Jean-Paul Najar Foundation, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, February 21, 7pm to 8pm. Tel: (04) 258 7078. jpnajarfoundation.com

4. GPP Photo Week

The first and longest-running photography festival in the region, the theme for this year’s event is ‘Shift Your Focus’, encouraging attendees to think about photography in a new light, with a new lens. Some of the world’s leading photographers teach workshops on the latest innovations and techniques and there are talks, seminars, photography trails and collaborative exhibitions.

Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, February 7 to 12, Fri and Sat 10am to 7pm. Tel: (04) 380 3845. gulfphotoplus.com

5. History of Modern and Contemporary Architecture

A course taught by Dr Tiziano Aglieri Rinella and Dr Ruben Garcia Rubio examining the evolution of modernity in architecture, following a chronological trajectory across ideas, technical evolution and cultural changes in the 19th and 20th centuries. It will cover great masters of Europe and North America as well as looking at the global context.

Al Quoz, Dubai, February 12, 13, 19 and 26, 6.30pm to 9.30pm, Dhs2,390. Tel: (056) 1156871. artexpertsplus.com

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Images: Supplied

Words: Anna Seaman.
Anna is an arts and culture specialist in the UAE, and a regular contributor to What’s On. Find out more at annaseaman.com