Art Connects Women in sisterhood and community in Dubai event series

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Art Connects Women (ACW), a premier platform for showcasing women’s artistic talent, returned for its seventh edition (Mar. 5 – 8) in Dubai. Held at the One&Only Royal Mirage under the patronage of UNESCO, ACW is perhaps the largest women’s international art exhibition in the UAE and the surrounding region. Launched by ZeeArts Gallery since its establishment in 2017, ACW has served as a beacon of creative finesse, uniting 108 women artists from around the globe, each representing their respective countries. This year’s exhibition, as is the case, was also a display of artistic prowess, with a diverse range of artworks spanning various styles and mediums. Aligned with the spirit of International Women’s Day, ACW aims to empower and elevate women in the art sector. Under the theme Inspire Inclusion, this year’s event underscored the importance of fostering a more inclusive and equitable creative industry. The festivities took off on March 5 with a private opening ceremony at The Palace, One&Only Royal Mirage, with artists and patrons coming together to celebrate the richness of cultural diversity and creative expression. It was hosted in the presence of Chief Guest Shatha Al Mulla, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Heritage and Art Sector at the Ministry of Culture, various Ambassadors and eminent personalities.

The exhibition opened to the public March 6-8, inviting art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of women’s artistry. In addition to the exhibition, ACW hosted a conference on March 6 at Alliance Francaise Dubai, focusing on Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Women in Creativity and Financial Inclusion. The interactive forum featured discussions led by industry experts, aimed at endowing women artists with essential skills and knowledge. Among the participants were Megan Kelly Horsman, Managing Director Christie’s Middle East; Rasul Samadov, Programme Specialist for Culture at UNESCO; and Zena Khan, Curator, AFK Collection, Malaysia.

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On March 7, participants had the opportunity to embark on a cultural tour hosted by Ajman Tourism, exploring the rich heritage, hospitality and food of the emirate, followed by a live painting session. The ACW grand finale unfolded on March 8 with the Whispers of Wonder Award Night and Gala Dinner, hosted at The Palace Ballroom, One&Only Royal Mirage. The occasion paid homage to participating artists, elevating them to the status of Art Ambassadors, in recognition of their impact on the artistic realm and society.

 Zaahirah Muthy (left) with a participant.

Adding to the spectacle, artists collectively infused their creativity onto an INFINITI car, transforming it into a piece of art. INFINITI Dubai offered their collaboration in bringing the vision to life. The artists were also treated to a delightful gesture from Clinique, who graciously provided each of them with a prestigious Clinique kit, symbolising their support and admiration for their artistic journeys. Founder of ZeeArts Gallery and event organiser Zaahirah Muthy extended her gratitude to partners and contributors. “Their unwavering support has transformed Art Connects Women into a beacon of inspiration and empowerment,” she said. “Special acknowledgment goes to UNESCO for their patronage, alongside One&Only Royal Mirage, Ajman Tourism, INFINITI, Clinique, Alliance Francaise Dubai, Monviso, Al Nassma Chocolate and Century Financial, for their invaluable contributions to this remarkable endeavour.”

Hussam Baghdadi, Senior Director of Arabian Automobiles, said that “INFINITI of Arabian Automobiles celebrated International Women’s Day alongside ZeeArts, recognising women’s invaluable contributions to the artistic realm. Looking ahead, we are excited about the upcoming INFINITI Art Loop during Ramadan, casting a spotlight on our showroom with art — a testament to our continuous endorsement of the dynamic arts community. This event seamlessly blends luxury car experiences with the exploration of exquisite designer artwork, underscoring our dedication to automotive masterpieces and artistic expression. We warmly invite the community to embark on a captivating journey during Ramadan through the world of automotive luxury and artistic impression.” The event is on at INFINITI showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.

ZeeArts is a global art incubator working from its headquarters in Dubai and a branch in Mauritius, with a mission to Connect, Collaborate, and Celebrate the arts through a line-up of artistic initiatives and projects. “Since our inception in 2017,” Muthy says, “our calendar is saturated with a myriad of artistic and cultural initiatives. In our bid to promote inclusivity for the betterment of society and embracing the SDGs; ZeeArts strongly advocates for gender parity under the banner of Art Connects Women, with our core values being crafting artistic initiatives, with integrity. We have launched the premiere Mauritius International Art Fair, Africa Speaks-54, United for Climate and SDGs through Arts.” The organisation has curated over 80 art exhibitions in the UAE, France, Mauritius, Georgia, Lebanon and Singapore. Muthy is a prominent face of Dubai’s art scene. She hails from Mauritius and is also an artist, activist and curator. She campaigns for bringing positive changes in the public arena through art initiatives and displaying artworks created by herself and ZeeArts artists, in various mediums. She holds multiple awards, including the Leonardo Da Vinci Universal Award from Florence, Italy, and the Femina – Women International Leadership Award (Artist Category) from India. In 2016, she was the Artist of the Year at RAK Fine Arts Festival.  Muthy is also the recipient of the Oscar de la Jeunesse in Artistic Pursuit and Youth Leadership award by the Government of Mauritius. Her art is held in private and corporate collections and has been exhibited in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the United States and Asia.