Until 1 April 2025, Artbooth Gallery is hosting Chromatic Dialogues, a collective exhibition that reveals the interconnected narratives of contemporary art. Displaying the work of fourteen creatives, the show encompasses diverse styles and techniques and offers visitors to examine the interplay between abstraction, figuration, and symbolism.
In the exhibition, bold abstract compositions draw viewers into contemplative realms, engaging in dialogue with figurative works that explore themes of identity, memory, and transformation. Works with symbolism and surrealism undertones enrich the show’s narrative with layers of meaning. Dynamic large-scale pieces are juxtaposed with intimate pieces inviting quiet reflection. Carefully positioned, each exhibit resonates with its neighbours, creating an interplay of contrast and connection that guides visitors on a journey of discovery.
Chromatic Dialogues features works by Syrian artist Asaad Arabi and Lebanese-Italian artist Gilbert Halaby. Arabi’s art pieces, oscillating between figuration and abstraction, reflect his connection with his hometown, while Halaby‘s vibrant paintings portray everyday scenes he witnesses in Rome, where he lives, and the landscapes of his birthplace, Mount Lebanon.
Lebanese artist Hussein Baalbaki reinterprets abstract expressionism, where thickly applied mediums create rich textures that contrast with a soft, nuanced palette. Similarly, Syrian artist Kusay Bader‘s works, distinguished by earthy tones, boast striking surface depth.
Egyptian artist Jamal Bassiouni draws inspiration from ancient Egyptian art, using acrylics and pastels on paper to craft symbolic compositions that explore themes of nature, history, and self-reflection. Meanwhile, Syrian artist Noor Bahjat’s work ranges from detailed sketches to expressionist self-portraits, filled with recurring symbols that contemplate the human form and daily life.
Palestinian-Syrian-Dutch artist Oussama Diab examines political conflict, globalisation, and exile through paintings and drawings rich in symbolism, historical references, pop culture elements, and narrative structures. Emirati artist Afra Al-Suwaidi merges virtual and physical realms in her multimedia works, investigating the relationship between technology and humanity while evoking themes of isolation.
Belgium-born artist Sarah Alagroobi utilises various mediums to explore culture and identity in Arab and Western contexts through a colonial discourse lens. Inspired by personal and collective experiences, her art examines themes of place, borders, and belonging. Artist and writer Steven Naifeh, intrigued by the geometric patterns found in Islamic art and architecture, adapts ancient mathematical principles to create modern, large-scale pieces that blend tradition with contemporary aesthetics.
Also on view are the surrealist compositions of Uruguayan-Lebanese painter Bruno Sfeir and Lebanese artist Layal Khawly‘s evocative paintings, which delve into the intricacies of Lebanon’s landscapes. Brazilian artist Habuba Farah, famous for her Lyrical Geometric Abstraction, presents mesmerising compositions exploring colour, geometry, and movement. The showcase also features Soraya Abu Naba’a, a USA-born artist with a multicultural background, whose colourful creations examine themes varying from abstraction to personal and collective identity.
To learn more about Chromatic Dialogues, please visit the show’s official web page.
You might also be interested in viewing the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial and Between the Tides: A Gulf Quinquennial at the NYUAD Art Gallery.
