Four young Dubai artists you need to know about
‘Buy fresh, buy local’ doesn’t just apply to your food shop…
Buying art in Dubai has never been easier. With a growing number of galleries opening every season, there’s a wide, international selection for art enthusiasts to peruse.
But the city’s burgeoning homegrown talent should also not be ignored. Here are four brilliant local artists to look out for…
Dina Sami
Who: Dina’s black and white illustrative style can be found across Dubai, from magazine covers to the walls of Tom & Serg. Brought up between the UAE and New York, where she got her School Of Visual Arts degree, she runs design company Seven Minutes along with her twin sister Lina.
From the artist: “My inspiration is people and travel, as well as seeing and experiencing new things. You’ll never catch me without a sketchbook and pen documenting it all. I’m obsessed with different types of shading; it keeps evolving and I love that.”
Where to find her work: The walls of the new Rove Hotel, Downtown, Instagram (@creativebeingdina); and wearesevenminutes.com
Maryam Thani
Who: Maryam is a young Emirati designer and illustrator. She developed her individual, illustrative style while a student at the American University In Dubai, where she studied graphic design and fine arts. Featuring a collection of happy mammals, she mainly uses gouache paints to create her bright and colourful prints.
From the artist: “I have a strong passion for veganism, which is why animals and nature play a big role in my visual identity as well as my work generally. I describe my style as organic and dynamic.
Where to find her work: Toil & Tinker; Instagram (@mimmmiz); and etsy.com
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Khalid Mezaina
Who: A graduate of the Salama Bint Hamdan Emerging Artists Fellowship programme 2014-15, Khalid’s work varies in style but always has strong, familiar Emirati influences. His recent projects include an installation about a Ramadan TV series, a T-shirt range for Armani Exchange, and a large hotel mural inspired by old Dubai shop fronts.
From the artist: “My current artworks are illustrations and drawings documenting elements, communities and their subcultures of humbler areas around my city. Time will tell whether these communities will be around in the future due to Dubai’s constant evolution.”
Where to find his work: Made In Tashkeel exhibition; Rove Hotel; khalidmezaina.blogspot.ae; and capsulearts.com
Fatima Albudoor
Who: Recently part of Ductac’s popular Ramadanization exhibition, Fatima is a Dubai-born artist and designer and a fellow in the Salama Bint Hamdan Emerging Artist Fellowship. She combines text, photography and drawing to produce art that feels very personal – she even uses lines from her own journals.
From the artist: “Inspiration comes from daily life, from relationships with family and friends to snippets of conversations, music and books. Being an artist is a vital form of expression for me. I have to be creating or I start to feel restless.”
Where to find her work: Tashkeel Studio and Gallery; Ductac‘s Gallery Of Light from October; fatimaalbudoor.com
If you know any great local artists you think we should feature get in touch with us.
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