CreaSHions fashions colourful art kaleidoscope in its Dubai exhibition
- 30 Sep 2024
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Dubai-based boutique art firm CreaSHions, Co-founded by Shilpi Dutta and Shoma Banerjee, organised Kaleidoscope, an art event (Sept. 21, 22) at Art Coast Gallery, Goshi Warehouse in Al Quoz, Dubai. Kaleidoscope is the 8th exhibition curated by CreaSHions. Many of their previous exhibitions have been themed around festivities, with their colours representing joy and happiness. Kaleidoscope was conceived this month, which marks the beginning of the season of spring and winter festivities, continuing through New Year. A website from New Zealand (kaleidoscopepsychology.co.nz) notes that the kaleidoscope instrument contains mirrors, pieces of coloured glass and other shapes, whose reflections produce changing patterns when it is rotated. “The kaleidoscope symbolises ever changing and endless possibilities contained in the human experience,” says the site.
“Like the kaleidoscope, each one of us has unique patterns and characteristics. In different lights or environments, they change and are revealed. The colours and shapes generated within the instrument itself could be thought of as personalities, thoughts, memories, and ideas. As we turn the kaleidoscope or interact with each other, the images change into new patterns, and we find different types of beauty and contrast.” For CreaSHions too, the kaleidoscope signifies and represents changing colours and the gladness they bring; it is an analogy of the colour and camaraderie of the festive season. “Festivals bring joy in middle of the daily chores of our lives, exactly like how a splash of vibrant colour brings life to a white canvas,” said Shilpi and Shoma. “This happiness and colourful spirit is what Kaleidoscope attempts to present.”CreaSHions was established during the difficult times of COVID pandemic as a sanctuary from fear, enabled by creative passion. The aim of the founders was to drive away negativity through the positivity of creativity. “It was during this period of unprecedented hardship that we initiated group art activities with friends of similar interest and artistic inclination,” CreaSHions co-founders said. “This initiative was met with tremendous enthusiasm and success, albeit on a small scale. But it germinated the broader idea of establishing an arthouse with greater artistic aspirations. This is how CreaSHions was born.”Since its conception, they have hosted events at diverse venues in Dubai. When the CreaSHions team searched for a space for Kaleidoscope, they came across the Art Coast Gallery. The initial discussion with Art Coast management revealed that the venue had never hosted an art related exhibition. It was thus a perfect recipe for an alignment of the mutual interest of both the location managers and event hosts. A maiden collaboration was thus born.
The two founder-partners said that CreaSHions focuses on providing a platform for emerging artists of Dubai “who have a lot of talent but do not get the right opportunity to showcase the same.” CreaSHions itself is a self-driven, young, emerging organisation and hence it values emerging talents who are the seeds of the future of art, they said. The two-day exhibition, attended by connoisseurs and the curious, showcased 45 paintings from 26 artists of various nationalities.
The inaugural was graced by Dubai dignitaries, including Chief Guest Yakoob Al Ali, Executive Director and Private Advisor, Office of Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum; Sultana Farouq Kazim, Global Ambassador of UNESCO International Action Art Club of Piraeus and Islands, Representative and Coordinator for the Museum of Americas and couture fashion designer; Laila Rahhal El Aftani, Founder and President of Business Gate/Woman Business Circle and I Am Africa platform; special guest and eminent Emirati artist Ahmed Al Awadhi Rukni; Anjini Prakash Laitu, eminent artist; VIP guest Nada Al Barazi, internationally acclaimed and multiple award winning artist, Ambassador at Omniyat Center for People of Determination and art influencer; and VIP guest, Art Noor.
The core values of CreaSHions being sustainability, equality, transparency and inclusivity, Kaleidoscope involved participants from various backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the art community of the UAE. Many of the artists were taking part in a public exhibition for the first time.The event saw each artist receive a certificate of appreciation from the high profile guests. The presentation was followed by an art tour, where the artists had the opportunity of detailing their artwork and explain the themes and thoughts behind their works.
Artists who displayed their creations were Jehan Ali, Perihan Marwan Kamal, Merit El Shenawy, Gitanjali Nangia, Mubashara Madni, Aakansha Kshatriya, Isabelle Tretola, Dr. Poonam Chauhan, Iulaeva Elza Talgatovna, Nandini Sapre, Sana Maarrawi, Dr. Sangeeta Sanjay Parashar, Jagruti Sanjay Patni, Shubhangi Phulpagar, Mariam Khawer, Motaz Khalil, Vidhya Michael, Swarna Sengupta, Diviya Abraham, Anastasie Akibode, Anu Das, Srirupa Bose, Khadija Noor, Srirupa Saha, Anubha Kaw and Susmita Mandal Sana.
Both days of the show saw the attendance of art lovers from different emirates. CreaSHions partners expressed their satisfaction. “Kaleidoscope adds yet another success story to its satisfying journey for the past five years,” they said. “We would like to thank our honourable guests, venue partners and the audience, for showering their blessings on us. We would like to congratulate all our participants for this unique feat. With the blessings of the Almighty and with the support of art lovers, CreaSHions will continue on its path of creativity and will endeavour to expand its offerings over the coming years. Dubai has so much talent to offer and we, as flag bearers of art, are fortunate to be able to contribute and illumine society with the passion of creativity.”