Funun Arts Group holds culture fest and art show in UAE tribute
Indian artist Ram Awasthi’s offering for the event.
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Art has been used throughout history to commemorate important events in a nation’s life and to express the joys and sorrows of national experience. Through the use of symbolism, style and presentation, artists have attempted to capture the essence of these events and create lasting tributes to the people and moments they commemorate. One of the most important dates in the UAE’s history is December 2, 1971. It was the day the country was born.
As the Emirates celebrated the 52nd year of its founding this year, Funun Arts Group, an art mover based in the UAE, celebrated National Day with artists from across the globe in an event spanning seven days titled UAE Art and Culture Festival (UAE–ACF). The festival began on November 28, continued till December 4, and was hosted at seven different venues, in a tribute to the seven Emirates. Its art exhibition component will be on view till January 24, 2024, at the Artist Playground, Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre and at Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre. 30 artists from 12 different nationalities are participating in the art exhibition.
They include Ahmed Al Awadhi and Mouza Rashed Al Darmaki from the UAE; Afsheen Beig, Anum Anwar Ali and Mussarat Yasmin Abid (all from Pakistan); Anahita Ansaripour, Roza Akhlaghi, Mahsa Alshayeri, Azadeh Bakan, Fatemeh Palizvan and Shahrzad Tahery (all from Iran); Anastasia Ananieva from Ukraine; Anastasia Brykalina from Russia; Anjini Prakash Laitu, Pari Sagar, Ram Awasthi, Bini Menon, Farah Khan, Safa Peshimam, Saida Banu, Shailaja Kamat and Shiba Khan (all from India); Dana Dauletbay from Kazakhstan; Edcel Cabalan from the Philippines; Jivan Hovhannisyan from Armenia; Rozeta Hallenbarter from Switzerland and Stefania Pomillo from Italy. Three student artists from Manzil Center for special needs are also showcasing their artwork.
They are Mohammad Chandra, Mohammad Saleem and Tahsin Nawar. The fest was inaugurated with a heritage tour of old Dubai. Artists explored the gold souq and the spice market, took an abra ride and viewed Al Seef Al Fahidi. They concluded with an Emirati dinner. Then the art exhibition Tribute to Diverse Cultures in UAE was opened at Artist Playground. Children dressed in Emirati dresses welcomed guests with a UAE scarf. Seven-year-old Azaan Mehtab Khan and six-year-old Maryam Sarfraz Khan, played a stellar role here.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of Yaqoob Al Ali and notable guests included Sultana Farooq Kazim, Halima Al Sayegh, Asma Janahi, Nada Al Barazi, Mohammad Al Aidroos, Mohammad Ali Ahmed Al Awadhi, Peter Gressman, Tarannum Ahmed, Atul Panase plus others. The third day of the festival was celebrated with the opening of the second phase of the art exhibition at Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre. Students from Ryan International School dressed in jalabiya and kandoora, welcomed guests.
The show was inaugurated in the presence of legendary artist Ihsan Khateeb, along with Yasmin Jasim Al Ameeri of Maraya Art Centre, Sharjah, Sandy Saksena, Muskan Syed Riaz of Bazm-E-Urdu - Dubai, Daizy Paul, and others. The programme began by paying tribute to the martyrs of the UAE. The fourth day was for live painting in the heart of desert, with dune bashing in a desert safari. On the fifth day, youth delegates who represented different countries in the Climate Change Symposium at COP28 Green Zone, shared their insights on the topic.
Participants were Ammar Sajwani, UAE; Sadeen Baydoun, Lebanon; Meherab Hossain, Bangladesh; Mohammed Huzaifa Khan who spoke on Russia; AdbalRahman Tawfik, Egypt; Zayed Munir, Mauritius; Aisha Ahmed who spoke on Africa and Haniyah Saleem, who spoke about the world. The sixth day saw the Art and Culture Exchange, followed by an award ceremony. It was held at Al Rayhan restaurant, Sharjah Equestrian Club. Shiba Khan, co-founder of Funun Arts Group, recited the poetry of renowned Indian poet Mirza Ghalib, and invited artists to recite poetry in their native language. Poetry in Urdu, Persian, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, Sindhi, English and other languages, was then offered.
The award was made of clear crystal with a golden falcon, and the certificate jacket was of wood, with the UAE emblem engraved on it. The concluding seventh day had the message to give back to society. Students from SNF Center for special needs, Dubai, and Manzil Center for special needs, Sharjah, along with participating artists, painted together. A masterpiece was created! An art panel talk and a masterclass by Ram Awasthi, was the finale of the event. Shiba Khan and Farah Khan, known as the Khan Sisters, and co-founders of Funun Arts Group said: “We established UAE-ACF to bring the community together to celebrate art, create opportunities for cultural exchange, and showcase the creative and artistic sectors of the emirate.
UAE-ACF will serve as a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary art, bringing together art lovers, history enthusiasts, and the general community to engage with the arts. UAE-ACF emphasises democratising art and making it accessible to everyone. By showcasing the work of artists from diverse backgrounds and countries, this festival provided a platform for different perspectives and artistic expressions to be shared and appreciated.
The inclusion of various art forms such as fine art and photography, sculpture and poetry, allowed for a rich and multidimensional artistic experience. Each medium has its own unique way of conveying ideas and emotions, for the audience to engage with. The initiative showed that art can truly fulfill its transformative potential, create bridges between people and spark conversations that challenge prejudiced preconceptions and broaden horizons.”
