Rawaa Al Barazi and Jihan Al Jundi write love letter at Urbanist Gallery

Urbanist Art Gallery has unveiled A Love Letter to Damascus, an exhibition featuring the works of Syrian diasporic artists Rawaa Al Barazi and Jihan Al Jundi (May 31 – June 14). The opening in the gallery’s space in Dubai drew collectors, curators, and art lovers from across the region.

The show is deeply personal and poetic, offering an artistic dialogue between two voices rooted in memory, resilience, and the timeless beauty of their shared homeland. Each piece in the exhibition serves as a visual ode to Damascus – a city of layered history, cultural richness, and historical depth.

Rawaa Al Barazi channels nostalgia through bold forms and an expressive colour palette, crafting compositions that oscillate between abstraction and architectural memory. Her work explores the emotional aftermath of displacement; she invites viewers into a world of familiarity that has fragmented, with quiet longing. In contrast, Jihan Al Jundi’s pieces capture intimate moments and delicate symbols, weaving personal narratives and collective memory.

Her mixed media practice embraces both material and metaphor, reflecting the tenderness and complexity of a city that lives on in exile, and which refuses to die.

Together, the work of the duo resonates with themes of belonging, loss, and enduring love for a place that continues to inspire, despite distance and a perilous present. “This exhibition is more than a showcase of talent — it’s a testament to the power of art to preserve identity and reclaim home through visual storytelling,” said Amjad Malki, Director, Urbanist Art Gallery.

Streetside view.

“Visitors are welcome to experience this emotional journey through the artists’ eyes.” Born and raised in the city of Hama, Syria, Rawaa is a devoted mother of six and a proud grandmother of fourteen. Her journey into the world of art was not guided by formal education, but by a passionate heart, tireless hands, and an unshakable determination to express herself.

Without ever attending an art school, she taught herself everything she knows through informed curiosity, endless perseverance, and an enduring love for creativity. Whenever she encountered a new technique or form, she would spend hours researching it, experimenting over and over, until she mastered it — her persistence became her teacher. Her artwork reflects not only her inner world, but also her deep connection to her family, her culture, and the evolving world around her. Each of her pieces at Urbanist is a testament to her resilience, grace, and ability to communicate without words — through colour, shape, and emotion. Rawaa continues to inspire her children, grandchildren, and all those who encounter her art. Her work is not just a display of paintings, but a continuing story of strength, love, and the transformative power of creativity.

“Art is my language of expression, a dialogue between my soul and the canvas. Each stroke carries emotion, each colour tells a story, and every piece reflects a journey — sometimes personal, sometimes universal. As a painter, I find inspiration in the raw beauty of existence — the seen and the unseen, the fleeting moments of light, the depth of human emotion, and the harmony of the universe. With a background in storytelling through writing and media, I strive to translate feelings into visual experiences, inviting the viewer to step into my world and feel, rather than just see. I hope this collection speaks to you in ways words cannot,” says Jihan Al Jundi about her works. “Painting has always been my way of expressing what can’t be said — emotions, memories, and moments of stillness.”

Jihan Al Jundi smiles at the world.

The Syrian art diaspora encompasses Syrian artists who have relocated outside of Syria, often due to conflict or political instability. The artists, while residing in various locations, continue to engage with their heritage and the Syrian context, creating work that reflects personal and collective experiences. The diaspora has also led to the development of online platforms and initiatives to connect and support Syrian artists, both inside and outside of Syria (from AI).

“The war in Syria,” says Nour Asalia, writing for Atassi Foundation for Arts and Culture, “has generated extremely complex and intertwined questions, both personal and general in their focus ... Over the last decade, a time of dispersal and diaspora, Syrian artists have found new frameworks for creativity and inspiration, the forms and sources of their work as diverse as the geographies over which they have spread and the cultures in which they move.

Rawaa Al Barazi is a self-taught artist.

The growing realisation that there was a pressing need to document and bring this art to wider attention – for scholarly, cultural-intellectual, or revolutionary reasons – sparked a desire to conduct radical reassessments of its historiography, archives and criticism, and update the theoretical frameworks through which it is classified and taught.”

Damascus has a long history as a cultural and artistic hub, playing a crucial role in the development of Syrian art and the exchange of ideas. Its location at the crossroads of civilisations has made it a melting pot of cultures, fostering artistic exchange and innovation (from AI). Urbanist Art Gallery on Box Park Al Wasl Road in Dubai is an elegant space, occupying the ground and upper floors of a modern building. It attracts artists, collectors and art enthusiasts from local and international communities.