Emirati Expressions 2009

Artistic Platform: Education, Talks & Events

TALKING ART: Discussing art in the heart of the Emirates

Nine weeks of talks, lectures and events complementing the Emirati Expressions exhibition, featuring international and regional partners.


Goethe Institut: Emirati Dream Carpet Workshop

Promoted by the Goethe Institut, the German/Egyptian artist Susan Hefuna lead a workshop to encourage Emirati women new to art to create work based on their life experiences. Assisted by previous participants of the course from Zayed University, the class encouraged hand on learning techniques and students collectively created a ‘dream carpet’ for display.


Sharjah University College of Fine Arts & Design

Two artists and lecturers from the Sharjah University, College of Fine Arts & Design, Colin Reaney and Isak Berbic, presented a public talk on self-representation and a practical workshop specifically for artists that look at issues of representing culture in the region.

  • Self-representation and the production of identity in the visual arts and culture in the UAE, a talk by Isak Berbic
  • Kebab Sticks and History Book Bricks, a workshop for artists looking at the strength frail materials can achieve through purposeful design.

Art Galleries of the UAE

Independent art galleries from across the Emirates came together to discuss the role of the gallery had to play in the career of artists.


New York Film Academy - Abu Dhabi

New York Film Academy in Abu Dhabi presented a selection of short films by their young student filmmakers. The screening was followed by an open discussion with the filmmakers.


Artscape Emirati Expressions 

The final evening of Emirati Expressions exhibition celebrated the closing of the show with; live music from two local bands, performance art, short films, free adult and children´s workshops, refreshments and much more, all took place in and around Gallery One.


Children’s Art Workshops 

Children’s Art Workshops were a series of informative and entertaining practical sessions for children inspired by the Emirati Expressions exhibition. The workshops aimed to give children a greater understanding and appreciation of the exhibition, through expert insight and also hands on artistic practise.

Workshops that were given:

Designing doors using collageJanuary 27th4-6pm 7-12yrs 
Transparency of watercoloursFebruary 3rd 4-6pm8-12yrs
Texture of pastelsFebruary 10th4-6pm5-10yrs
The ´Barjeel´a native Gulf shapeFebruary 17th4-6pm9-12yrs
Designing masksFebruary 24th 4-6pm5-10yrs
Designing doors using collageMarch 3rd4-6pm7-12yrs
Transparency of watercoloursMarch 10th4-6pm8-12yrs
Texture of pastelsMarch 17th4-6pm5-10yrs
The ´Barjeel´ a native Gulf shapeMarch 24th4-6pm9-12yrs
Designing masksMarch 31st4-6pm5-10yrs
Designing doors using collageApril 7th4-6pm7-12yrs
Texture of pastelsApril 14th4-6pm5-10yrs