Here comes the sun: DIAC show revels in glow of summer colours

Dubai International Art Centre (DIAC), a cornerstone of the UAE’s creative community, has unveiled its latest exhibition, Summer Colors. It is a showcase of artistic talent that celebrates the spirit of summer through vivid colours, enviable textures, and sincere expression (July 19-26).

The exhibition opened to a full house of art lovers, collectors, and cultural dignitaries, and features a lineup of over 50 talented artists from diverse nationalities. Their artworks – inspired by the glowing warmth, profound energies and the special beauty of summer – create a kaleidoscope of canvases across a variety of mediums including paintings, mixed media, and abstract compositions.

The opening ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Anamika Chatterjee, Associate Editor of Khaleej Times. She said that “artists must always follow their passion, even when life gets busy with responsibilities. Art is what keeps the soul alive.” The event was also honoured by the presence of leading Emirati artist Faisal Abdul Qader, Guest of Honour, who applauded DIAC’s continued commitment to providing a platform for both emerging and established artists. “Dubai International Art Centre has played a crucial role in nurturing creative talent through exhibitions such as this,” he said.

Noted cultural personality Ahmed Al Awadhi Rukni attended the event as Special Guest, along with other prominent personalities from the media and art worlds, including senior artist Anjini Prakash Laitu. Their presence added undoubted significance and recognition to the inaugural. Exhibition Director Ambika Vohra expressed her pride in the quality and diversity of the artworks on display. “The works showcased here are not just beautiful; they’re ideal for enhancing any home,” she said. “The attention to detail and emotional depth in each piece is remarkable.”

A ballerina prepares for her dance.

The Summer Colors Exhibition has already attracted a huge footfall of visitors, ranging from passionate art buyers to curious newcomers, making it one of the season’s most talked-about cultural events. With a rich display of imagination and talent, it provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to understand new perspectives and take home a piece of summer. The exhibition is open to the public and art lovers are encouraged to visit and explore the colourful offerings, many of which are available for purchase.

Participating artists include Akshita Lad, Akanksha Kshatriya (ArtbyAK), Afshan Khan, Alia Amin, Amancia Sandra Menezes, Amna Ameen, Anxhela El Ahmadieh, Anita Sahai, Aquila Abdel Rahim, Asma Syed, Bianca Pascual, Celina Sarieddine, Debra S Mascarenhas, Deepa Rajesh, Diyali Bhalla, Dr. Anum Ali, Dr. Kamal Al Yammahi, Elham Mohammadnia, Erum Durrani, Gursheen Kaur, Jagruty Sanjay, Jaimee Felysse Reyes, Jyoti Devdhar, Lita Mathews, Mahboobeh Goshtaseb Shahnavaz, Mahi Wasfi, Mahnaz Rafiq Javid, Maitha Bin Shahdoor, Maryam Khodaverdian, Maryam Taghikhani, Nanditha Unnikrishnan, Natalia Venerova, Nikita Neogy, Ola Khalil, Pari Sagar, Prachi Khurana, Prasanth Chandran, Radhika Arya, Renuka Sanjeev, Roya Vahidi, Sandeep Soni, Sarika Handa, Shebaniah Asaph P. Pineda, Sibel Yavuz, Solmaz Gholami, Sumaya Azam and Trupti Rele.

An AI reference notes that “many artists across various eras have found inspiration in the season of summer, capturing its essence through vibrant colours, landscapes, and scenes of leisure. Notable examples include Claude Monet, who painted ‘Impression, Sunrise’ and ‘End of Summer Morning’, capturing the fleeting beauty of light and atmosphere and their effects, characteristic of summer, and Vincent van Gogh, whose ‘Harvest at La Crau’ showcases the golden hues of summer fields. His ‘Haystacks, Summer’, exemplifies his use of colour and texture to depict the feeling of summer.

A group photo from the event.

Artists like David Hockney with his ‘Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures)’ capture the modern experience of summer leisure and Berthe Morisot with ‘Summer’s Day’, has also depicted the joys of summer recreation and relaxation. Morisot’s ‘Summer’s Day’ depicts women in a rowboat, showcasing leisure activities associated with the season. Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s ‘The Luncheon of the Boating Party’ captures a lively scene of people enjoying a summer day.

Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s allegorical portraits, including ‘Summer’, depict the season through symbolic arrangements of fruits and vegetables. Winslow Homer often painted scenes of coastal life, capturing the energy and vibrancy of summer. Paul Gauguin’s Tahitian landscapes like Tahitian Landscape, evoke the warmth and exoticism often associated with summer and Artsper Magazine notes that Edward Hopper’s paintings such as ‘Second Story Sunlight’, capture a sense of solitude and light associated with summer afternoons. Marc Chagall’s painting ‘Summer Dream’ is an example of his whimsical and dreamlike style often incorporating vibrant colours, AI adds.

Several Eastern artists too have found inspiration in the summer season, translating its vibrancy and essence into their work, the AI overview continues. These artists draw from nature, cultural traditions and personal experiences, to capture the spirit of summer in their creations. Eastern inspirations range from detailed jewellery design to large-scale paintings and photography. The works reflect the beauty, energy, and cultural richness associated with the summer months.

Cindy Chao, for example, is a jewellery artist whose ‘Aquatic’ series is inspired by snorkeling; she uses vibrant gemstones to recreate marine life with a focus on underwater hues and light. Dina Razin, a digital artist with Middle Eastern heritage, incorporates her culture into vibrant scenes featuring women in embellished outfits and floral elements, often with a summer beach setting, while American artist Summer Wheat, creates tactile paintings that capture the essence of summer.