Ease under trees: Qube Art Gallery turns Purva Grover’s book into summer show
- Last updated: August 16, 2025 | 09:45
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
The group exhibition Summer Whispers Beneath the Trees curated by Noora – The Divine Spark in collaboration with acclaimed Dubai-based author Purva Grover, opened on August 13 at Qube Art Gallery, Al Quoz 3, Dubai. The show, to last till August 22, is an invitation to art and literature lovers to step into a world of warm memories, whispered stories, and the rewarding presence of trees.
Inspired by Grover’s poignant book The Trees Told Me So, the exhibition explores themes of childhood, nostalgia, imagination, and the wisdom of nature. Grover’s short stories portray trees as silent witnesses to human experiences, keepers of secrets, grief, joy, and wonder. The themes are reimagined and brought to life by a curated selection of UAE-based and international artists. Bhairavi Mistry, art curator, Noora – The Divine Spark, is the curator of the collection.
“The exhibition is a gentle prod to return to the wonder of childhood summers and reflect on how nature has space for our emotions,” said Grover. “Each tree in the stories, and each artwork on the wall, is a keeper of something beautiful and unsaid.” The show journeys back to the summers of wonder, through the eyes and canvases of the artists.
Featured artists include Moones Ben Romdhane (Tunisia), Heinz Katzenmeier (Switzerland), Natalia Schäfer (Germany) Marina Muradian (Kyrgyzstan), Ankita Chatterjee (Singapore), Simon Kazanjian (Armenia), Karyna Lupashko (Ukraine), Sahar Riaz (Pakistan) and Dubai-based Indian artists Mona Biswarupa, Kiran Kumar, Sonnal Johaar, Ria Shanker, Natasha Desai, Sabah Anees, Jaya Phulwani, Ranjisha Raghavan, Uma Ravichandran, alongside India-based artists Madhumita Bhattacharya and Bharti Singh.
The exhibition is a trip to the nostalgia of summer childhood, when golden mornings shimmer with sunlight, afternoons unfold beneath the sweet shade of trees, and the simplest joys — chasing butterflies, feeling cool grass beneath bare feet, or listening to rustling leaves — are part of cherished memories. The collection features artworks across a variety of mediums, including water colour, mixed media, mosaic, silk painting, and oil, each crafted to capture fleeting moments of innocence, wonder, and discovery. Inspired by the themes of the book The Trees Told Me So, the pieces echo nature’s quiet storytelling, evoking the sights, sounds, and colours of childhood summers.
They create an immersive experience that bridges past and present, reminding viewers of the enduring magic, warmth, and simplicity of a person’s formative years. Mona Biswarupa who presents compositions titled Dreamscape of a summer night, says that “Nature has always been my inspiration and an integral part of my works. Trees, flowers and foliage often form the backdrop of my creations; hence there was an instant connection with Purva’s book The Trees Told Me So, that has one common thread, namely, trees.”
Special guests at the inaugural included Atul Panase, renowned water colour specialist and Brand Ambassador at Daniel Smith Artists’ Materials UAE and Leader in Fabriano in Acquarello, the biggest international water colour festival in Italy.
His inspirational words of praise for the curation and creativity were highly appreciated by the artists. Panase also displayed his work titled A date with an old tradition, which is a date with nature. The date here has two meanings, namely, both a fruit and a quality meeting with nature, where an old person admires the beauty of a new crop of date palm fruit. Other attendees included Lalit G. Tilani, Founder of Design Dome; he was particularly captivated by artist Jaya’s masterpiece, Color of Majesty.
It is a striking mandala dot painting with a lifelike peacock at its centre. Enchanted by its intricate detailing and graceful symbolism, Tilani expressed his admiration in perhaps the most meaningful way possible - by acquiring the artwork for his private collection. Opening day highlights included Live Reading Session by Purva Grover, who read out excerpts from The Trees Told Me So, offering personal insights into how each story connected with the exhibited artworks.
Visitors and artists were also treated to the Memory Tree art interactive installation. Guests were invited to write summer memories, including secrets and hopes, on leaf-shaped cards and hang them on a symbolic tree. As the exhibition progresses, the tree will evolve into a collaborative, living artwork that captures the voices and emotions of all those who visit the exhibition. “Qube Art has always believed that art should be an experience — not just something to look at, but something to feel and remember. This exhibition is an extension of that philosophy, and we are happy to join hands with them,” said the gallery.
Bhairavi Mistry is a leading creative partner in the Middle East’s art and design industry, specialising in transforming commercial and hospitality interiors through tailored art production, including customised sculptures. Established in 2010, Qube Art began its journey as a modest picture printing and framing business in Dubai. Over the years, it has grown into a leading creative name, strengthening the Middle East’s art ecology by catering to individual clients, artists and collectors, and actively supporting the creative community with curated exhibitions and events.
Qube Art operates four branches across Dubai and Abu Dhabi with three main divisions: Qube Art Frames, the retail arm that offers museum-grade custom framing and fine art printing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and personalised consultation; Qube Artis, the B2B division, serving hospitality brands, FF&E suppliers and interior designers; and Qube Art Gallery, the e-commerce platform providing curated selections of artworks.