Art is Life by Hayat Arts opens at Cross Borders Art Gallery, Dubai
- Last updated: July 13, 2025 | 10:20
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Dubai witnesses one more celebration of art and expression by Hayat Arts as the art promotion body, in collaboration with Cross Borders Art Gallery, has launched its group exhibition, Art is Life (July 5 — 19). Curated and led by Safa Peshimam, Co-founder of Hayat Arts, the event projects a powerful connection between creativity, culture, and community.
The exhibition serves as a bold testament to the enduring relationship between human emotion and artistic expression. Walls are adorned with evocative brushstrokes, compelling textures and remarkable forms, each piece echoing the truth that art is not merely decoration or ornamentation, but is the very fabric and spirit of life.
On inaugural evening, the gallery was filled with a mix of artists, collectors, media and VIPs, who were brought together through their shared commitment to art and culture. Distinguished guests included Yaqoob Al Ali, Sultana Kazim, Ahmed Al Awadhi (Rukni), Nada Al Barazi, Atul Panase, Mohammed Ali, Anjani Prakash Laitu, and Reema Alwawi, whose presence underlined the significance of the occasion.
The evening commenced with the announcement of winners from MUSE 2025, Hayat Arts’ global online art competition. Jury member Nada Al Barazi’s contributions were particularly acknowledged, for her thoughtful curation of winners from over 30 impactful entries.
Winners of MUSE 2025 were third place (Abstract) Khushboo Mishra; (Nature) Andleeb Khan; second place (Abstract) Fatima Ahmed; (Nature) Nandana Suresh; (Pen Art) Radha Bhatia; (Portrait) Daria Adveena; first place jointly awarded by Yaqoob Al Ali, Nada Al Barazi and Sultana Kazim (Abstract) Silvia; (Nature) Yamuna Menon; (Pen Art) Jaimee Reyes; (Architecture) Edcel Cabalan; (Portrait) Avigyan; (Sculpture) Ratna Pattik and (Photography) Yashi Khatanhar.
“The true essence of Art is Life emerges in the works of the participating artists — they are visionaries who have infused their hearts and stories into every piece,” said Safa Peshimam. Artists include Asma Mehmood, Asma Nusrin, Avigyan Bhattacharya, Edcel Cabalan, Haya Khan, Irudhayanathan Thangaraj, Jaimee Reyes, M. Jacob Honest Raj, Maitha Bin Shahdoor, Nandana Suresh, Nazim Ambalath, Nazmin Rasheed, Radhika Pujari, Rooma Eejaz, Safa Hajjaji, Safa Hashim, Safa Peshimam, Sarah Peshimam, Saliha Hanif, Sania Yousaf, Ulyana Okava and Yamuna Menon.
Asma Nusrin is an architect and artist. Her artworks are marked by a poetic and concept-driven style. Through her creations, she aims to produce pieces that are bold in their message and visually compelling.
Thangaraj is a visual artist recognised for his work across portraiture, still life, and abstract styles. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (Painting) and having completed a teacher training course at Pondicherry University, India, he combines a strong academic foundation with expressive creativity. Now based in the UAE, his artwork has been exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions at international levels. Currently, he serves as an art teacher at The Indian International School – DSO, Dubai, where he continues to inspire young artists while actively engaging with the contemporary art scene.
Jacob was born and raised in a small coastal village in South India. He spent his early years beachcombing and assisting his father with his modest seashell business. With a background in graphic design and a thriving career in Dubai, he has seamlessly carried his roots into the heart of a fast-paced urban life. He creates seashell art that mirrors the beauty and complexity of human life, each piece being a delicate fusion of memory, nature, and emotion. Known as an Ocean’s Artist, he saturates every creation with the soul of the sea.
Nazim was born in 1962 in Ambarnath, Maharashtra, India. With a Fine Arts degree from a prestigious Indian college, he balanced careers in both art and advertising, forging a path that also led him to explore photography, music, and motivational speaking. Now based in Dubai, he continues to manage his business and freelance, using his diverse skills to create inspirational and impactful work. He would like his art to serve as a powerful tool for social change — each canvas carrying messages that challenge norms and sparks dialogue. This is his evolving legacy.
Radhika is a self-taught Indian artist whose vibrant canvases reflect a deep passion for storytelling through texture, symbolism, and emotional nuance. With a keen interest in acrylics, mixed media, and mcil, her art attempts to bridge traditional and contemporary forms, celebrating both the richness of identity and the meditative quality of personal reflection. Her recurring motifs include natural elements, divine animals, rural nostalgia, and spiritual tranquility. Guests at the opening night had the opportunity to engage in person with the artists, learning about the personal journeys and emotions behind each creation. The atmosphere was homely; Cross Borders Art Gallery space has a family feel. It is not a cold, commercial place.
But the occasion was not only about art — it was also about connection, the exuberance of artistic voices, the courage to express oneself, and the collective power of the creative community. “Art is Life is more than an exhibition — it is a movement,” said Sarah Peshimam, Co-founder of Hayat Arts. “It is a call to remember that even amidst uncertainty, beauty endures and will realise itself. It underscores that storytelling is sacred and that every brushstroke, every frame and every vision, matters hugely.” As the evening passed into night, the popular opinion was that the exhibition was not simply an art showcase or a platform for artistic gathering, but was the collective heartbeat of the UAE’s vibrant artist community.