Portrait exhibition by Emirates Fine Arts Society narrates the human story

Faces, the portrait exhibition by over 50 artists showing over 100 artworks under the theme ‘One Human Story Unfolds’ hosted by Emirates Fine Arts Society (EFAS) in its Sharjah headquarters and inaugurated on October 26, is a glorious example of how, as Tate UK explains, “portraits have always been more than just a record. They have been used to show the power, importance, virtue, beauty, wealth, taste, learning or other qualities” of the subjects.

The exhibition is organised and curated by Salem Al Junibi. The pictures are done in many schools of art, ranging from sharp realism to high abstract, from Mohamad Hussein’s ‘Fairuz’ done in acrylic on canvas and Rawa’a Al Tartour’s ‘The Afghan Girl’ with pencil on paper to Laila Daher’s ‘Fake Masks’ in acrylic on canvas and Karima Al Shomley’s ‘Kashkha’, also in acrylic on canvas.

Pioneering Emirati artist Najat Makki is also taking part in the exhibition; she is best known for her colourful and dreamlike, abstracted depictions of the natural landscape in the UAE. Faezeh Mohammed Hassan is an Emirati artist who is deeply inspired by her roots; she often turns her brush toward the heritage of the UAE, painting cultural landmarks, traditional architecture, and Emirati dress, transforming them into timeless celebrations of identity, memory, and place. Karima Al Shomely, another participating artist, is a frequent participant in EFAS’s annual exhibitions.

Faezeh Mohammed Hassan (left) stands before her work with Karima Al Shomely.

“Portraiture,” continues Tate, “is a very old art form going back at least to ancient Egypt, where it flourished from about 5,000 years ago. Before the invention of photography, a painted, sculpted, or drawn portrait was the only way to record the appearance of someone.” Some of the earliest surviving painted portraits of people, notes Wikipedia, are the ones that have survived in the dry climate of Egypt’s Faiyum district. The Faiyum portraits represent mainly native Egyptians, reflecting the synthesis of the predominant Egyptian culture and that of the elite Greek minority.

“Portraits have the capability to portray more than just the likeness of a person,” says artfinder.com “They tell us about the culture of the person, their psychology and even the wider cultural and societal context. The genre is so much more than just painting pretty faces.” With photography as competition, artfinder.com continues, artists in the post-camera era (the personal camera was invented in 1888), have expanded from the traditional concept of portraiture and moved towards a less obvious approach to their work.

An AI overview emphasises the importance of portraiture as a genre of art. “Portraits,” the overview says, “historically served as the primary way to record the likeness and personality of influential people, providing valuable insights into past eras. They can act as a mirror of the beliefs and perspectives of a particular society and its people, as well as the artist’s own viewpoint.” According to the overview, portraiture is powerful for its ability to convey a wide range of human emotions, from joy to sorrow, through facial expressions and body language. Self-portraits offer a unique window into an artist’s psychological state, emotions, fears, and experiences.

Najat Makki (left) before her compositions with guest.

Beyond physical likeness, portraits aim to capture a person’s inner significance or “soul”, which is revealed through an artist’s choice of colours, atmosphere, and expression. A portrait can tell a story about the subject, revealing aspects of their character, life, and history through subtle details, composition, and mood. Since our brains are wired to respond to faces, it makes portraiture a powerful tool for establishing an emotional connection between the viewer and the subject, fostering a sense of shared humanity, across time. Salem Al Junibi is an Emirati visual artist, based in Sharjah and has served as EFAS president. He has supervised multiple exhibitions, art events, and art publications, along with participating in numerous jury committees. He plays a prominent role in encouraging, discovering and supporting young talents, in addition to participating in art fairs and group art exhibitions, both local and international.

EFAS is a non-profit association of art professionals based in the UAE, established in 1980. Its head office is located in Sharjah, in the emirate’s renowned Arts Area, with branches in Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Khor Fakkan. EFAS is a member of the Arab Art Association and the International Association of Art, IAA/AIAP, headquartered in Paris. EFAS’s mission is to support its members and to promote art education among the public by organising exhibitions, including the annual exhibition at the Sharjah Art Museum.

An artwork on display.

Since its establishment, EFAS has served as a cornerstone of the UAE’s vibrant visual arts scene. Its mandate is to nurture local talent and advance contemporary artistic practices and the arts body provides a dynamic and time-tested platform where emerging and established artists network through exhibitions, workshops and specialised events.

EFAS vision celebrates heritage while embracing innovation and the Society has become a vital bridge connecting the Emirati art movement with the regional and international art community. Central to EFAS’s initiatives are its curated themed exhibitions, which bring together Emirati and resident artists across a wide spectrum of disciplines and practices. Through the exhibitions, EFAS shapes and promotes the UAE’s contemporary art landscape, fostering community engagement and cultural exchange. EFAS also hosts seminars, to refine artists’ skills and promote art education.