Funun Arts Group sews sustainability and connectivity into the fabric of art
Last updated: August 31, 2025 | 10:30
The sixteen artworks on view.
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Threads of Life — An Artistic Tribute to Global Weaves, the exhibition curated and organised by Funun Arts Group in collaboration of Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre (Aug. 22 — Nov. 20), defines itself as a movement that remakes the very canvas on which art is created. In celebration of the Year of Community — UAE 2025, the Group has unveiled the initiative as a tribute to creativity, cultural heritage, and sustainability.
The project invited sixteen artists to break away from traditional practices and instead transform discarded hotel linens and textiles from around the world, remaking them as compelling artistic scrolls.
What emerges is an inspiring tapestry of stories that bridges heritage and innovation, sustainability and imagination, and individuality and community. The inaugural was graced by Halima Ahmed Al Sayegh, Ambassador of Cultural Diplomacy, historian and writer, internationally recognised artist Meena Kamal who is also co-founder and owner of MRK Contemporary Art Gallery, Rayad Kamal Ayub, entrepreneur and founder, MRK Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmed Al Awadhi, Emirati artist and entrepreneur, Naimuddin Syed, Regional Marketing Manager, Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes and Anjini Prakash Laitu, Lifetime Achievement Awardee artist and mentor.
Taking in an artwork.
Threads seamlessly combines artistry, sustainability, and community values. Its inspiration emerged during a brainstorming session. Shiba Khan, Founder of Funun Arts Group, recalls the eureka moment. “Threads of Life,” she says, “was born from a simple yet powerful question — how can we create something truly unique, meaningful, and sustainable? In our search for an answer, we approached Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre with an unusual request: could we repurpose their discarded hotel linens as our canvas? Their immediate ‘yes’ gave birth to this concept.”
The idea weaves sustainability into the very foundation of the exhibition. Instead of working on conventional canvases, as is usually the case, artists were invited to create artworks on upcycled fabrics — linens that once served guests and were destined to be discarded. To deepen the narrative of sustainability, sixteen different types of textiles from across the globe were also introduced, each with its own cultural heritage. The sixteen artists were tasked with telling their stories on the fabrics; the brief was to weave together global traditions and contemporary imagination.
Farah Khan, Co-Founder of Funun Arts Group, explains: “Each fabric carries a history. By painting on them, our artists were not only reusing materials, but also writing their stories. Every brushstroke is a dialogue between heritage, sustainability, and imagination. What you see here is not just art — it’s storytelling in its most authentic and sustainable form. The final artworks are being presented as artistic scrolls — an intentional design choice that symbolises continuity, cultural preservation, and the unfolding of human narratives. These scrolls retain their natural frayed edges and raw textures, reinforcing the commitment to sustainability.”
Two artworks on show.
Robin, GM of Novotel Sharjah said: “Visitors are invited to view the scrolls as living narratives, unfolding stories of identity, belonging, memory, and community. The combination of discarded linens and traditional textiles produces a striking visual and emotional impact, reminding audiences of the universality of threads — whether in fabric or human connection.” Participating artists include Afsheen Beig, Ashwini Gawade, Chadi Nassar, Dr. Anum Anwar Ali, Dr. Poonam Chauhan, Faiza Ishaque Gondal, Jyoti Devdhar, Jyoti Singla, Mukta Chaubisa, Mussarat Yasmin, Sabrin Asker Ali, Sahar Shabnoor Ansari, Saida Banu, Sara Madan, and Soobika Fawad.
Together, their works create a global tapestry — weaving stories of resilience, diversity, and shared humanity. Each piece celebrates the richness of heritage, while promoting eco-conscious artistic practices, showing that art can be both visually stunning and environmentally responsible. At its core, Threads of Life carries the message that extends much beyond art. By embracing upcycled fabrics as canvases, the initiative highlights the powerful connection between sustainability and cultural heritage.
It aligns with the UAE’s commitment to environmental responsibility and cultural diplomacy. The exhibition encourages audiences to rethink their relationship with materials and traditions, reminding them that preservation is not only about protecting the past, but also about acting responsibly for the future. Meena Kamal said that “the beauty of this exhibition lies in its simplicity — fabrics once considered of no further use, have become priceless carriers of culture and creativity.” Naimuddin Syed Ahmed said that “Threads of Life is a remarkable initiative that not only celebrates the beauty of global textile traditions, but also emphasises the importance of sustainability and cultural unity. It is inspiring to see how art can weave together stories from across the world, while reflecting the values of community and heritage that the UAE upholds.”
Shiba Khan (left) and Farah Khan.
The choice of theme is deliberate since the Year of Community — UAE 2025 emphasises unity, connection, and collective responsibility, values that Threads of Life underlines. By bringing together artists of different backgrounds and asking them to work with global textiles, the exhibition becomes a living example of community in action. Each scroll tells a different story; yet, together, they speak of the same universal truth: that we are all connected by invisible threads of culture, history, and shared humanity.
Funun Arts Group is a leading UAE-based platform that champions art as a universal language of connection, empowerment, and education. With over 10 years of curating art exhibitions, creative dialogues, and youth art forums, the arts body promotes diversity and works to elevate community voices through visual art. Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre, part of the Accor group, is committed to cultural collaboration, local engagement, and creating inclusive spaces for transformative events.