‘Exhivision’: Hayat Arts promoters Safa and Sarah Peshimam detail their vision

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Hayat Arts, the arts body that holds well-known group and solo art exhibitions, held its ninth show at the Art of Living mall in Dubai on August 10. The theme was “Freedom”, as it celebrated Pakistan’s and India’s Independence Day (August 14 and 15, respectively). The event called for peace and harmony through 22 artworks that were displayed, with 13 artists participating. Guests and art supporters who graced the occasion included Ahmed Al Awadhi Rukni (Emirati artist), Anjini Prakash Laitu (senior Indian atist), Edcel Cabalan (Philippines), Rooma Eejaz, Sanili Saha, Nazmin Rasheed (young Indian artist), Mehran Ansari, Jaimee Reyes (young artist from the Philippines), Yashi Khatankar, Sahar Shabnoor, Glara Prakash, Sarah Peshimam and Safa Peshimam (the last two being artists and Founders of Hayat Arts). Supporters included Nassim Nasr (artist), Muhammad Ali (Founder of arts body Breathe) and Atul Panase (artist and arts mentor).

Founded in December 2023 by sisters Safa Peshimam, 22, and Sarah Peshimam, 28, Hayat Arts is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art in all forms and providing a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their work. “Our exhibitions feature various art forms including painting, sculpture, photography, digital art and video art,” they point out. “Hayat Arts is focused on not just showcasing artworks, but also discovering new artists and talents. We are proud to mention that we have successfully managed to register approximately 40 per cent of artists, who entered the Dubai art community through Hayat Arts. While we do aim at displaying talents of emerging artists, Hayat Arts also focuses on giving unique platforms, venues and atmosphere to their established compatriots who live and work primarily in the Emirates, but also overseas.”

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Hayat Arts has hosted nine exhibitions in a short span of six months – a creditable achievement by any standard. “Bidayatan” (The Beginning) was the inaugural group art exhibition featuring 22 artists from various nationalities. It opened in Wyndham at the Deira Creek, Dubai. The second exhibition named “Whispers of Love”, celebrated love, passion, and empathy. “Iman”, a 50 day-long show and the third exhibition, celebrated the Holy Month of Ramadan. It included an art competition which showcased multiple new and first-time artists. “Legendary Queens” was a live painting workshop following “Iman”; it honoured the strength and power of women during the week of International Women’s Day. “Tranquility”, an art exhibition showcasing 23 artists from 12 nationalities, focused on the beauty of Mother Nature.

 Safa Peshimam stands in front of her artwork.

“Voyage – Unity in 7, Ajman” was the first of Hayat Arts’ destination exhibitions in the “Unity in 7” project: it involves hosting a show in each of the seven emirates - thus the title. Thumbay University Hospital, Ajman, a renowned health and wellness space in the UAE, was the event venue. The occasion was graced by Thumbay Moideen, owner of the Thumbay Group, which has established the teaching hospital. He showed great appreciation for the exhibition. “Voyage – United for Art, Dubai” was Hayat Arts’ second destination, held in the newly opened Art of Living mall. It showcased 42 artworks of 30 artists from 13 nationalities including the UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Egypt, Japan, Jordan, Ukraine, Russia, UK, Morocco, Iraq and Turkey.

Artists who participated were Ahmed Al Awadhi Rukni, Amal El Kej, Anam Ali, Anjini Prakash Laitu, Anmar Qatari, Chandralekha Dubey, Debra Mascarenhas, Edcel Cabalan, Eman Elhakim, Fzzzi, Jaimee Reyes, Jehan Ali, Karolina Denisha, Klimova Ksenia, Mohammed Mehran Ansari, Nazmin Rasheed, Rheanne Louise, Richa Nirwan, Sibel Yavuz, Sunil Bindhani, Tammanna Ansari, Tejas Thampan, Vishnu Syamala, Yatlo Tatiana, Dr. Ajit Gadekar, Sanya Muddasar, Yashi Khatanhar, Sarah Peshimam and Safa Peshimam. “Digi Face Off” was Hayat Arts’ first virtual art competition. Judge Najat Makki had a tough time choosing the top three winners in the kids and adults categories. Kids’ category winners were Nazmin Rasheed, Nandana Suresh and Jaimee Reyes, respectively. Adults’ category winners were Edcel Cabalan, Monia Sahroui and Yashi Khatankar, respectively.

  Sarah Peshimam with her artwork.

“Unity in 7 is the first ever kind of project in the UAE where Hayat Arts aims to hold an art exhibition in every emirate of UAE,” says Safa Peshimam. “The UAE is known for its diverse population living in harmony, united through its rich cultural mosaic. Through this project, we aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of this uniqueness while encouraging artists to highlight the common threads that unite us all.” “We look for an artist’s passion and craze for talent,” says Sarah Peshimam. “The emotional connection artists have with their work and the drive they have to express themselves through their art, follows next. We value creativity, originality and a strong artistic vision. Irrespective whether one is an established or an emerging artist, we welcome all who are committed to pushing the boundaries of their art forms. We also appreciate artists who are open to collaboration.” Safa Peshimam is an international award winning artist and published poet, while Sarah Peshimam is a graphic and interior designer, with a passion for content creation. She is also an emerging artist. The sisters have been recognised and awarded as the “Youngest Entrepreneurs in Dubai in Arts” by global fnx, the events management company.