The XVA Gallery presents Echoes of Sir Bani Yas: Artistic Reflections, a collective exhibition which highlights the profound interplay between environment, mindfulness, and artistic expression. On view until the 19th of June, 2024, this show features diverse works (sculptures, drawings, prints, photos, and videos) created by students and faculty of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University.
The exhibit draws from the Mindfulness Workshop at Sir Bani Yas Island, part of the Behind the Scenes: Perceptions of Young Arab Women cluster research grant. Led by Dr Justin Thomas, Naz Shahrokh, and Stefan Messam, this retreat provided participants the opportunity to explore mindfulness practices through drawing. The resulting artworks reflect both personal and collective narratives and examine themes such as connection, memory, and the relationship between humanity and nature.
Among the exhibited works from the retreat is, for example, Forgiveness by Reem Al Mubarak, a series of art pieces inspired by the indigenous trees of Sir Bani Yas. Al Mubarak delves into the concept of forgiveness as a foundational but often overlooked aspect of personal growth and peace. The exhibits include Visions of Discovery by Rafiaa Al Nassar, a series of artworks in which the artist captures moments from various activities on the island, contemplating the nature of discovery and observation. Additionally, visitors can see the Sands series by Shawq Salem Al Katheeri. It employs watercolour, monotype, and real sand to create abstract representations of Sir Bani Yas landscapes. Through this series, the artist aims to preserve and emphasise the island’s natural beauty. On display is also On the Road (from then to Now #1-4) by Naz Shahrokh, a series of book arts investigating the contemplative journey where a moment is depicted through the usage of an image to recount the nature of memory and place.
The Echoes of Sir Bani Yas show also draws from the Communicating Observing Mapping Environments and Tolerance (COMET) projects led by David Howarth and Janet Bellotto. Focusing on the study of island ecologies, the COMET initiative prompted students and faculty to engage with and interpret the unique ecosystem of Sir Bani Yas Island artistically. These explorations are based on environmental sustainability and the rich cultural histories of island environments.
The notable works from COMET in the exhibition include, for instance, the Planetary Fluke photo series by Janet Bellotto. It captures moments of Sir Bani Yas’ landscape and its fragility while exploring the relationship with water and the sea. One can also see David Howarth’s Untitled, a series of typographic works which investigate typography through traditional letterpress and printmaking techniques.
To get more information about Echoes of Sir Bani Yas: Artistic Reflections, please visit the show’s official web page.
Additionally, you might be interested in viewing Samur by Zheng Bo featured in the latest edition of the Artist’s Garden by the Jameel Arts Centre.
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