A picture washed in blue and yellow.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Emirati artist, author and entrepreneur Maisoon Al Saleh works in Dubai and internationally. A graduate of Zayed University with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Design, so far she has had nine solo shows and has participated in about 100 art exhibitions in 20 countries, including Carrousel du Louvre Paris, UNESCO region Nibelungengau - Wachau in Austria with MOCAMAG Museum, Basel Biennale, Cannes Biennale during the Cannes Film Festival 2022, the Art Nomads: Made in the Emirates exhibition hosted by Etihad Modern Art Gallery, besides others in Europe and the United States. Most recently, she has been participating in artist residency programmes worldwide.  She uses various mediums in her works such as painting, mixed media, sculpture, digital art, interactive art and murals. She has just brought out a new series titled Sunlit Showers, inspired by the recent torrential rains. “In the wake of the UAE’s heaviest rainfall in 75 years,” says Al Saleh, “I found myself captivated by the raw beauty and transformative power of nature. As an artist, I was inspired to translate this awe-inspiring event into a series of artworks that convey the emotional and visual resonance of the experience.”

Through a fusion of colours, primarily blue and yellow, Sunlit Showers seeks to evoke the essence of an extraordinary phenomenon. The blue in the works represents the vast expanse of the sky and the cascading torrents of rain, and symbolises tranquility and intensity. “It embodies the ethereal quality of rainfall as it blankets the landscape, infusing it with new life and vitality,” Al Saleh says.

Complementing the deep blues are strokes of pulsating yellow, reminiscent of the sun breaking through clouds after a storm. Yellow symbolises hope, optimism, and the promise of renewal. “It serves as a beacon of light amidst the darkness, illuminating the way forward and infusing the scenes with warmth and energy.” Through the interplay of these colours, Al Saleh aims to capture the dynamic interaction between light and shadow, movement and stillness, chaos and serenity. “Each brushstroke is a reflection of the fluidity and unpredictability of nature, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the sensory experience of the rainfall and its aftermath,” Al Saleh says. “In Sunlit Showers, I invite you to journey with me through landscapes transformed by nature’s elemental forces. Let the colours wash over you, like rain on a windshield, so you also experience not only the profound beauty of the rain but also the resilience of the UAE in the face of adversity.”

 Emirati artist Maisoon Al Saleh.

Maisoon Al Saleh speaks to Gulf Today

Have you neglected the suffering the rains brought and focused only on its bright side?

The storm’s sheer force and its transformative effect on the landscape left a profound impression on me. As I stood amidst the swirling winds and heavy rain, I felt a sense of awe at nature’s power and its ability to reshape the world around us. It seemed to breathe life into the parched earth, washing away layers of dust and grime, to reveal a vibrant tapestry of colours beneath. I wanted to convey the sense of wonder and awe that I felt in those moments. One aspect of the storm that struck me most was the way in which it brought people together, transcending barriers of nationality, language, and culture. Witnessing multinationals in the UAE banding together during the storm was truly remarkable. Despite their diverse backgrounds and experiences, they worked as one, pooling their resources and expertise to assist those in need.

I watched in awe as they rescued a family trapped in a submerged car, their heroic actions a testament to the power of human compassion and solidarity. And when a school bus was stranded in the floodwaters, a man wasted no time in coming to its aid, using whatever means necessary to ensure the safety of those inside. Families shared their food with strangers in cars, who were stuck on the roads. It was these acts of kindness and selflessness that inspired me to focus on the brighter aspects of the rainfall. I wanted to celebrate not just the storm’s destructive force, but also the resilience and strength of the UAE community. I hope to convey the positive side of the experience and the unwavering bonds of community that emerged during those challenging times.

Are you a minimalist in your art — you have mainly used only yellow and blue here.

While I wouldn’t consider myself a minimalist artist overall, for the Sunlit Showers series, I chose to primarily use blue and yellow to evoke the essence of the rainfall and the sun breaking through the clouds. These colours symbolise tranquility, intensity, hope and renewal, capturing the dynamic interplay of light and shadow.

Does your inner or outer worlds influence you more as an artist?

Both of them influence me as an artist. While external experiences, such as observing the rainfall inspire my artwork, my inner thoughts, emotions and perceptions, shape how I interpret and express those experiences creatively.

Sunlit Showers can be seen as a glass half empty or half full. Can you comment?

Sunlit Showers can be seen as a glass both half empty and half full, depending on one’s perspective. While it acknowledges the challenges and adversity brought by the rainfall, it also celebrates the beauty, hope and renewal that emerge in its aftermath. It encourages viewers to find light and positivity amidst darkness and chaos.