Jumeirah Creekside Hotel hosts Madani’s ‘Echos of Tomorrow’ show

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, one of the UAE’s leading arts and lifestyle destinations, has announced its third Artist in Residency programme (June 10 – July 1).

Titled Echos of Tomorrow, the residency showcases Austrian contemporary artist Marie Theres Madani’s artworks and invites guests and visitors to discover her expressive abstract paintings. Born in 1993 in Vienna, Madani is also the third artist to take up residency in the urban art hub. The motivation behind her art is ‘the creation of a dialogue’, which allows visitors and guests to connect with artworks and independently interpret them.

The artist has drawn inspiration from her three-month stay at the hotel, creating bespoke pieces inspired by the hotel and the city. 

The exhibition complements the hotel’s impressive art collection that is spread across guest rooms and public spaces, enhancing the hospitality experience.

Andy Cuthbert, General Manager at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, said: “Taking from art and design as key pillars of the Jumeirah brand, we continue with our motivational Artist in Residence programme at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.

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“As such, we aim to further deliver truly unforgettable moments for our guests through the medium of art, give them the chance to discover new works from exciting names and support emerging artists from around the world, hence reinforcing our position as an art hub and creative destination.

“We are delighted to welcome Marie Theres Madani to our hotel and look forward to connecting guests to the emirate and to continuing with our inspiring residency programme series.” Madani said that “I am excited to be part of the Artist in Residence series and to be bringing my art to new audiences.

“The space at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel is perfectly aligned with my desire to connect with my audiences and evoke an emotional connection through sharing my experiences of the emirate and its heritage, creating expressive and creative art works.”

Launched in April last year, the Artist in Residency programme is an ongoing initiative from the hotel, directed by artist and curator Seth Benzel and set up to support international and regional artists in advancing their skills through dedicated spaces, enhancing visibility and endorsement, while providing an inspirational setting from which to create unique pieces of art and enjoy living in one of the most diverse cities in the world.

  Marie Theres Madani in her studio.

The city hotel is home to one of the city’s largest art collections. With the aim of connecting guests to the culture and heritage of their surroundings, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel shines a spotlight on the region’s art scene, housing 482 specially commissioned pieces by 51 artists, with roots from across the Middle East. The hotel further features some of the world’s most celebrated design houses across its grounds, including custom-made furniture by Sawaya Moroni, Walter Knoll, Poltrona Frau, BnB Italia, Frag, Se London, Matteograssi and De Sede.

Tom Price, an internationally recognised creator renowned for his sculptural works, was commissioned to create 88 red Meltdown Bowls, which are dotted across the hotel as part of a limited-edition collection.

Austria-based Madani’s works embody strength and volume, without becoming obtrusive. Expressive and dynamic, the impressions of the Arab world, culture and heritage are captured and merged with her artistic process.

Vigorous and deliberate, she sets out to bring the pulse of the city into the momentum of now. Brown and orange tones dominate the space, in which clear shapes and lines are embraced by wind-fed waves of colour.

Sombre or brightly coloured, Madani explores the tension between entering chaos and rediscovering leisure. The compositions combine abstraction with expression, compelling the observer to engage in a sustained emotional dialogue with themselves.

“Art comes into existence because it wants to come into existence because it needs to come into existence. Art is an escape from banality, a need for more, an urge, a surge, a longing, a search, a finding, a losing, a finding again,” she says. Her medium of large and sensualised abstract paintings are intended to be felt as much as observed. She could be said to symbolise the “explosion of creativity.” This particular quality allows her impetuous freedom, which is reflected in the spontaneity of her oeuvre.

Her works are in this sense free of external formalisms and conventions, and of any restrictions. The manifestation of emotions is foregrounded in her abstractions.  For Madani, painting symbolises pure creation out of apparent nothingness. It has the potential to shape and reshape reality. Therefore art for her, is an indispensable component of the magic of life. Jumeirah Group, a member of Dubai Holding operates a world-class 6,500+ key portfolio of 24 luxury properties across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.  It boasts some of the most prestigious and captivating properties in the world, from the iconic flagship hotel Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, and lavish Arabian palaces across Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah, to its contemporary Maldivian island paradise at Olhahali Island and art-inspired dolce vita on the island of Capri. Whether showcasing a modern twist on a British classic in the heart of Knightsbridge at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, or a futuristic setting at Jumeirah Nanjing, Jumeirah’s name has become synonymous with service - and also artistic - excellence.