Paradise, according to Timur Akhmedov.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

ME Dubai, the iconic architectural haven designed by the late Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, returns with its new Cultural Connections initiative - this time in collaboration with Andakulova Gallery Dubai and Legends Art Club. The event is the arrival of Uzbek artist Timur Akhmedov’s solo exhibition titled ME tamorphosis of Colours (Aug. 18 – Oct. 8); it is a captivating display finding its home in the hotel’s expansive and minimalist lobby. “The hotel remains dedicated to supporting and spotlighting flourishing creative arts and design in the region,” says ME Dubai. Born in Uzbekistan in 1968, Akhmedov brings with him to ME Dubai over three decades of artistic mastery and deep perspective. His artworks, naively uncomplicated at first glance, are metaphorical works that unfold into profound narratives, revealing his story. Often centred around women and flowers, the art depicts the world and people in a surreal and dream-like way; it is the artist’s wont to represent himself and others as majestic characters. Another Akhmedov signature is that the paintings are left unnamed, giving the viewer the liberty to interpret each piece as they please.

In the paintings, vibrant colours such as Asian turquoise, warm ochre and different tones of red, are blended into cohesive oil canvases to create an eerie sense of silence. The pieces also exude an undeniable feeling of familiarity, as they elegantly capture and explore the intricacies of human emotions and experiences. Akhmedov’s figurative works represent people wrapped in precious fabrics, rendered in brushstrokes with clear influences from art history. In some, we see a universe of figures reminiscent of a dreamlike world not dissimilar to Chagall. For the discerning viewer, anatomy a la Modigliani, the richness of Klimt’s golden leaves and the colourful exuberance of the Nabis, will manifest.

 A composition titled Journey.

The two-month long residency of Akhmedov’s artworks at ME Dubai is supported by the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Dubai, in dedication to Uzbekistan which will be celebrating its 32nd Independence Anniversary. Hosting the artist is one way of solidifying the cultural significance of the artistic partnership between the gallery, the hotel, Uzbekistan and the UAE. “The hotel’s awe-inspiring architecture will be harmoniously complemented by Timur’s artworks, seamlessly forming a visual synergy that is sure to captivate all guests,” said ME Dubai in a sneak peek before the event. “In addition to the paintings that will be hung on the lobby walls, the artworks will also be displayed on the hotel’s digital screen, further extending their immersive impact.”

Guests, visitors, and art aficionados are invited to seek solace from the summer heat in the sanctuary of ME Dubai. They can explore the hotel’s creative space and enjoy a variety of eye-catching canvases from the ME tamorphosis of Colours exhibition. Legends Arts Club is a community of art lovers “who explore the magic of art together by meeting famous artists, visiting their workshops, observing the process of creation and sometimes joining the creation of a new art object.” It attends previews of the best exhibitions around the world; Legends Art Club attempts to open the border between the viewer and art, exploring creativity from new angles.

  Timur Akhmedov's oil on canvas creation titled Table Talk.

Andakulova Gallery Dubai, is an art gallery whose objective is to promote Central Asia’s contemporary visual arts. It serves as a platform to exhibit and support emerging to mid-market contemporary artists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (or the ‘Stans’), across a variety of media. Founded by Natalya Andakulova, also among gallery goals is to cultivate a dialogue between Central Asia and the Middle East by re-introducing the art of the ‘Stans’ to the artistic hub of Dubai. The gallery does this by building academic and professional relationships between artists, writers, art specialists and collectors.

Akhmedov is one of the brightest contemporary artists with Asian roots. Each of his exhibitions is a visual journey for the viewer into the world of fantasies, images and dreams. “Timur is a master of colours, shapes and meanings - so his works are interactive,” says the gallery. “The pictures are metaphorical, and each one reveals the artist’s story if you look at them. That is why the paintings do not have names, allowing the viewer to create his own.”

ME Dubai is the first ME by Melia in the Middle East designed by the late and renowned architect Dame Zaha Hadid. It is in the The Opus by Omniyat building. The only hotel project where Hadid has personally designed the interiors and exteriors, ME Dubai is situated in the heart of the Burj Khalifa district, one of the city’s most vibrant areas. The Opus building is developed by leading Middle East real estate developer, Omniyat. The property consists of 93 rooms and suites across four floors.

Located in global cultural epicentres, ME by Melia is a collection of design hotels aiming to discover contemporary culture. “Contemporary culture is part of who we are,” says ME by Melia. “We express its creativity and energy in every aspect of our hotel experience. ME by Melia hotels thrive on the sensorial connection to their settings – the visual stimuli, the taste of exquisite local food, the uplifting culture of its citizens and cultural leaders.” It notes that embedded within each hotel´s ecosystem is a community of artists, influencers, creatives and technologies “that raise the hotel to a must-see, and must-stay, destination for those who yearn for inspiration and energy.”