Maraya Art Centre Announces the Opening of Two Exhibitions:
Both exhibitions will open on Monday 17 October at 11:00 a.m.
- Under the title “space between”, Patricia Millns explores the concept of space and silence in her works, based on the Japanese concept of “Ma”
- Made out of humble materials such as tea bags, coffee filters and doilies, Patricia Millns works with materials that come from a domestic, hospitable realm, often used when serving guests. Kept mainly in black, white and at times red, the artworks on display are striking for their fragility, complexity and timelessness.
- Many of the artworks on display touch upon themes such as hospitality, care, nurturing and the importance of women in the Arab World. Influences by the 13th century poet Rumi also appear in a number of her artworks
Maraya Art Centre, a non-profit creative initiative by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority – “Shurooq”, that supports emerging and established artists in the region, has announced the opening of two exhibitions: “spaces between: Works by Patricia Millns” on the third floor of the centre and ‘Sahhara: Hidden Adornments” by Karima Al Shomely on the second floor. Both exhibitions will be opening on Monday 17th October at 11:00 a.m. and will run until 13 February 2023.
‘space between.Works by Patricia Millns’
Curated by Dr. Nina Hydemann, Director of Maraya Art Centre and 1971-Design Space.
Often known in the region for her roles as mentor, supporter and consultant in the visual arts, Patricia Millns now shows an overview of newly created work in this solo exhibition.
The exhibition shines a light on her immensely labour-intensive artistic practice. Based on the principle of seriality, most of her artworks are grouped together in clusters that allow ‘spaces between’. In this context, repetition, meditation and linearity feature prominently in the show.
Divided into two main sections – one kept completely black and the other completely white – this exhibition introduces Patricia Millns practice by way of immersive displays using light and shadow, as well as linearity and circularity as guiding principles of life.
Artist Patricia Millns mentioned about her practice:
“The space between my objects is as important as the objects themselves. Their placement enables the viewer to have periods of time to contemplate the work and to be in that space to experience not only these objects but to allow the created intervals to be acknowledged and experienced. The Japanese principle of time and space ‘Ma’ is therefore fundamental to my practice. In nothingness, Ma enables. It is the fullness of silence.”
‘Sahhara: Hidden Adornments’ Works by Emirati Artist Karima Al Shomely
Curated by Cima Azzam, Maraya Art Centre’s curator
A “Sahhara” is an elaborately decorated wooden chest box often referred to as a hope chest or trousseau chest, is a piece of furniture that women in various cultures traditionally used to collect and store linen, jewellery and other personal items in anticipation of marriage. Once married, the Sahhara, particularly in Emirati culture, was transported to the newly formed household and placed within a woman’s private quarters, hidden away from the public.
Karima Al Shomely addresses the material culture of the Burqa and other traditional Emirati adornments through her contemporary practice as a response to specific parts of their history.
Like uncovering the lid of a Sahhara, the exhibition invites the viewer to explore Emirati hidden adornments, engaging with playfully contrasting elements of tradition and modernity and discovering these forms of Emirati culture in a new light. It explores the manifold layers of how identity is created, expressed and transformed over time.
Karima Al Shomely stated about the show: “This exhibition introduces women as important cultural icons to the public. It shows their importance as individuals, revealing their personal stories and backgrounds by way of their clothing, accessories and cultural rituals Attention is paid to these women’s inner worlds. The artwork reflects my memory presented through a contemporary vision, by way of nostalgic nods to past times when women wore pieces of adornment to beautify their very own, inner beings.”
Exhibition catalogues and public programming
Both exhibitions offer a rich public programme, video documentation and accompanying catalogues.
The bilingual Arabic / English publications feature images of the artworks, views of the exhibitions, numerous essays, interviews and forewords.
Contributors for Patricia Millns exhibition catalogue include Sheikha Lateefa Bint Maktoum (Founder and Director of Tashkeel), Beatrice Bulgari, President, Fondazione In Between Art Film, and Dr Nina Heydemann, Director of Maraya Art Centre and 1971 – Design Space.
Contributors for Karima Al Shomaley’s catalogue are Prof. Nadia M. Alhasani, Dean of the College of Fine Arts & Design at the University of Sharjah and Cima Azzam, Curator, Maraya Art Centre.
About Maraya Art Centre
Established in 2006, Maraya Art Centre is a non-profit creative initiative by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority – “Shurooq”. Located in Al Qasba, Sharjah. Maraya Art Centre offers innovative programmes through its multifaceted initiatives, and public outreach activities including workshops, lectures, talks and other art related events.
Maraya Art Centre strives to support emerging artists and designers in a comprehensive way, providing opportunities for continual growth through research, exhibition and project development across its initiatives including: The Maraya Art Gallery, 1971 – Design Space and its street art initiative Jedariyah.
The Centre features the Shop@Maraya with art and design editions as well as art supplies by Skrible Box. Every weekend, workshops for children and adults are offered at 12 noon and 4 pm.
Visitors are also invited to use the centre’s art library and enjoy a coffee in the café area.
and video archive open for the public.
Bio: Patricia Millns, Artist
Born in England, UK, 1950. Elected Fellow of Royal Society of Arts, London. BA Honours, Fine Art and Design with Commendation. MA Art and Design History.
Middle East based for over 40 years. Studio base Dubai and Arizona, USA. Initially inspired by the complex repetition of imagery within Islamic art and design systems which developed into a study of symbolism within the cultural, textile and olfactory heritage of the region, specifically women’s studies.
Presently working and advising on art and design projects related to significance of regional culture. Elected Fellow Royal Society of Arts London UK (FRSA), and IAPA, UNESCO. Advisory Board of American University Dubai, Ambassador for Dubai Design District. Lifetime Achievement Award Motivate UAE 2018.
Honorary member Tashkeel Dubai and Emirates and Oman Fine Art Societies. Exhibited at the Worlds Congress of Women Beijing, United Nations New York, British Museum London, Carousel De Louvre Paris, DIFC Dubai, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, Sorbonne University AD, Alexandria National Library and National Museums of Sharjah, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt and Oman.
Represented UK at the Cairo, Sharjah and Alexandria Biennials. British Council Commission to create performance work for UAE state visit HM the Queen 2010. Honored to include Royal families of Gulf region amongst her patrons.
Public collections include British Museum, United Nations, British Council, Royal Commonwealth Society, Salsali Museum, DIFC Collection, GMAA Museum, Oman Sainsbury Foundation UK and the National Museums of UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan. Private collections include those of the Al Qassimi, Al Maktoum, Al Sabah, Al Said, Windsor, Salsali and Bulgari.
Bio: Karima Al Shomely, Artist
Karima Al Shomely was born in Sharjah, U.A.E. She earned a B.A. in Economics and Accounting at United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain; a B.F.A. at the University of Sharjah; and a M.F.A. at University of the Arts London, Chelsea College of Arts and Design. She finished her PhD in Fine Arts at Kingston University, London. Work as Assistant Professor in University of Sharjah, Fine Arts College & Design.
Al Shomely’s prints, photographs, paintings and installations have been featured in many important exhibitions both in U.A.E. and internationally.
Bio: Dr Nina Heydemann, Director and Curator of the Exhibition
Dr. Nina Heydemann is currently the director of the Maraya Art Centre and the 1971 – Design Space in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Before her appointment, Dr. Nina Heydemann worked as the Senior Manager – Visual Arts, heading the Department of Visual Arts at the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in Abu Dhabi from 2014-2018. She received her PhD degree in Art History from the University of Leipzig, Germany, and the University College London (UCL), United Kingdom. Her dissertation “The Art of Quotation. Forms and Themes of the Art Quote, 1990-2010”, examines inter-pictorial referentiality of contemporary artworks. Previously, she worked as an exhibition manager for the Deutsche Bank Art Collection in Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Dr. Nina Heydemann studied Art History and Cultural Sciences at the University of Leipzig, the Università Ca’ Foscari Venice and Venice International University, Italy. She was awarded scholarships from the University of Leipzig, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes).
