Two galleries collaborate to showcase works of international artists in Dubai

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Art Point Custom Framing & Art Gallery, a hub of creative activities in Dubai, is currently hosting an exhibition featuring 11 international artists hailing from 10 different nationalities (till April 6). The event has been described as a “unique exploration of poetic artistic expression transcending geographical boundaries, presenting a banquet for art lovers to feast on,” by the gallery. Ecstacy, as the show is titled, is an eclectic display of artwork where each artist brings their own cultural perspective and personal narrative to the space. The gallery is on Al Wasl Road in Jumeirah and the exhibition is also being held in celebration of Women’s History Month. Earlier, on March 23, a panel discussion led by philanthropist, Laila Rahhal, CEO, Business Gate, focused on empowering women entrepreneurs. It was attended by many advocates of the same cause.

Ecstacy is a collaborative effort between Art Point Custom Framing & Art Gallery and Art4you Gallery, the latter which was founded by artist and curator, Jesno Jackson. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Abdulla AlShaibani, CEO of the Charter of Loyalty and Belonging for His Highness President of UAE and chief guest of honour and Yaqoob Al Ali, Executive Director and Private Advisor in the Office of Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. It was graced by the presence of Hatem Khalil Al Sayegh and Bernadette “Cha” Eslais, founders of Art Point Custom Framing & Art Gallery, along with VIP guests. Businessman and art enthusiast, Mohammed Janahi, is co-founder of Art Point.

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Eslais said that “we are happy to once again bring something for Dubai’s art community. This exhibit is a testament to our commitment to provide a venue for artists to flourish and for budding art lovers to step into the world of art.” Jackson, who is also creative director of Art4you gallery, said that “the pieces I’ve chosen for ‘Ecstacy’ immerse us, as some of the best narratives do, in the midst of things. While selecting works for this exhibit, I was taken by surprise by the many interpretations of this theme - including the ways in which each artist depicted their own unique revelations.”

  A work from the exhibition.

It is the second major art show so far hosted by Art Point Custom Framing & Art Gallery. Last year, the art destination collaborated to feature Palette of Portraits: An Artist’s Glimpse of the Soul, which showcased the works of 26 Filipino artists across UAE. It was a selection of portraits by artists including AJ Buhler, Alden Velasquez and Angel Domantay, among others. Spanning a myriad of styles, from traditional oil to coloured pencil, the exhibition revealed the vast artistic diversity of the Filipino community in the Emirates.

Ecstacy is a banquet featuring distinct artwork – from the cellular art of British artist Andrew Scanlan to the evocative expressions of Iran’s Azin Rezaei and Elham Ghorbani Shad. The stone art of Ghana through the lens of Eric K. Afranie; the destiny compositions and bronze sculpture of Lebanon’s Hana Achour, and the intricate resin art luxury works by Indian artist Kay; the orientalist works from Saudi Arabia with the creations of Mohammed F. S. Awad; the contemporary visions of the UAE women by Mouza Rasheed Al Darmaki; and the rich and vibrant expressionism of Russian artist Polina Aitkulova (Iamshell), can also be experienced. Also savour the heartfelt narratives of the cityscapes of Syria’s Rafah Abdulrazzak  and the dynamic paper-imposed work of South African artist Stephanie Neville. The exhibition is a testament to the power of art to transcend borders and unite people.

The collaboration between the two galleries underscores a commitment to fostering cultural exchange and promoting international dialogue through the universal language of art. By bringing together artists from around the world, Ecstacy invites viewers to explore the common threads that unite everyone, celebrating the boundless possibilities of artistic expression. The joint effort and support of Fluer Nation and The Green Revolution, also went into the making of the exhibition.  While presenting various works of creativity, the gallery is also a go-to place for custom framing services, with an exclusive collection from Italy and other countries. It is a space for artists, art collectors, art galleries, or anyone who wants to preserve and elevate the look of memorabilia such as photographs, paintings, high value scarves and more. Eslais began her career in art as an enthusiast who later collaborated to run the gallery, providing a venue where stakeholders and art lovers could come together and grow their talent. Jackson is an Independent art curator, who currently focuses on creative strategies for the content division of Art4you Gallery. Her career has taken her from being an artist and art educator to curator. In her nearly decade-long tenure as curator, she has organised exhibitions on a range of subjects. Art4you Gallery is a multicultural platform with a mission of connecting artists, promote the exchange of art between UAE and other countries to create, nurture and stimulate community-based art projects. The current exhibition has allowed organisers elevate the arts community by providing a platform for artists to share their vision with the world.