The team of 49 artists will gather on Monday in the largest-of-its-kind innovative workshop to brainstorm and design the UAE Nation Brand logo to reflect the country’s unique identity and establish a positive image in the global consciousness.

The “Inspiring 49” workshop comes in response to the invitation of Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who have earlier launched the national project, calling on artists to design a logo that highlights the elements that sets the UAE apart and shares the country’s exceptional success story with the world.

Artists will work in seven groups titled Al Dana, Al Saqr, Al Nakhla, Al Sedra, Al Boom, Al Ghaf and Al Barjeel. Topping the list is the award-winning Emirati artist Abdul Qader Al Rais, whose 50 years of art experience combines his inspiration with local landscapes and Arabic calligraphy.

Holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Sharia Law from United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain since 1982, Al Rais held 36 solo exhibitions in Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Kuwait, Prague, Beirut, Washington and Germany.

Considered one of the most influential artists in the Emirati art world, Al Rais bagged many prestigious international awards throughout his artistic journey. The “Inspiring 49” also includes prominent Emirati artist and sculptor Mattar Bin Lahej who founded Marsam Mattar in 1992 to contribute to enriching the art scene in the UAE through supporting artists and new talents. Bin Lahej has been known for his distinctive signature to paintings and bold approach to sculptures through his use of different modern techniques. Obaid Suroor, founder of the Emirates Fine Arts Society, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cairo University since 1979, heads the Society’s studio in Ras Al Khaimah and is included in the list.

Khaled Ali Al Jallaf, artist, calligrapher, researcher in Islamic art and history and quality consultant with more than 40 years of experience in the art field also joins the team.

The youngest team member is Dubai Abulhoul, author.

Abulhoul was the youngest Emirati novelist to participate in the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in 2012 with her book Galagolia, the first Emirati fantasy novel in English.

The team also includes Azza Al Qubaisi, jewellrey artist and sculptor; Noura Al Noman, author; Aljoud Lootah, multidisciplinary designer; Dr Mohammed Abdullah Al Hammoudi, poet and author; Mouza Abdullah Al Qamzi, architect; Firas Saeed Bardan, design expert; Sara Khalfan Al Muhairi, studio photographer; Ali Abdullah Al Mansouri, author; Khulood Sharfi, graphic designer; Ahmed Abdullah Bukhash, architect; Reem Abdullah Al Ghaith, graphic designer; Abdullah Albuqaish, photographer; Nada Ahmed Taryam, architect; Anwar Antar Al Marzouqi, graphic designer; Aisha Abdulaziz Al Hammadi, graphic designer; Aysha Al Hamrani, graphic designer; Jamal Habroush Al Suwaidi, artist whose works can be found in numerous private and public collections including the Olympic Museum in Switzerland, the National Art Museum of China, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Other members include Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, poet, media personality and Emirati heritage expert; Ahmed Al Kaabi, photographer; Abdulaziz Alsaeedi, author and graphic designer; Alia Al Shamsi, architect; Ahmed Al Muhairi, calligrapher and graphic designer; Jassem Hassan Abdullah Al Shehhi, graphic designer; Dr Fatima Ali Al Mumari, author, member of the Board of Trustees of Emirates Writers Union and president of the union’s Ras Al Khaimah branch; Mohammed Hassan Ahmed, screenwriter; Maha Mohammed Al Hanawi, photographer; Walid Abdullah Ali Al Shehhi, cinematographer; Humaid Liwad, artist; Sheikha Al Masmari, author and media personality; Fatima Al Dhanhani, calligrapher and artist; Saeed Abdullah, architect; Sheikh Mahboub, artist; Fatima Al Ghulaini, graphic designer; Sara Al Raisi, graphic designer; Ibrahim Mohammed Al Ali, graphic designer; Rashid Eissa Al Kashf, poet; Fatima Ali Al Shamsi, architect; Mouza Khamis Al Hammadi, painter; Khalifa Rashid Bulsali, graphic designer; Jawaher Ayoub Al Qiwani, artist; Khalid Al Ali, calligrapher; Ahmed Al Mehri, calligrapher and graphic designer; Hamdan Al Shamsi, graphic designer; and Dr Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Al Musallam, author and researcher.

WAM