Kutubna Cultural Center presents Motherhood: An Art and Photography Exhibition, displaying works by 17 artists and 12 photographers from 18 countries, which include Egypt, the UAE, India, Tanzania, Palestine, and Ukraine, among others. Open to the public until 16 November 2025, the show brings together deeply personal reflections on motherhood through a diverse range of artistic voices and cultural perspectives.
Comprising 20 artworks and 33 photographs, the exhibition delves into themes of tenderness, resilience, heritage, and the intimate moments that define the maternal experience. Together, these pieces form a multifaceted portrait of motherhood as a universal connection and an individual journey. The show also highlights the cultural dimensions of motherhood. It celebrates rituals and customs from the Gulf region and beyond, and reveals how community and tradition shape this experience while preserving its deeply personal core.
The participating creatives include Emirati photographer Alia Bent Sultan, who uses photography to address social issues within her community, and Indian multidisciplinary artist Shrutika Gosavi, whose work is inspired by the human form, memory, nature, and spirituality. Meanwhile, Egyptian artist and photographer Donia Hassan Othman is known for her exploration of female aesthetics and her innovative approach to fashion and portrait photography.
Palestinian artist Malak Yasser Saleem Dalloul‘s practice engages with themes of memory, identity, and emotional landscapes, often drawing from her personal and collective experiences. Ukrainian photographer Tanya Yatsenko creates family portraits, capturing intimate moments with warmth and honesty, while Tanzanian photographer Zaheda Muntazir, a mother of two, documents the quiet beauty of everyday motherhood.
Other contributors include John Parkes Railton (the UK), Karin Stumpf (France), Klaithem Aljabri (the UAE), Komal Makkar (India), Aman Ali (India), Anxhela El Ahmadieh (Metaj) (Albania), Anna Grosheva (Russia), Latifa Ahmad Almazrouei (the UAE), Latifa Ahli (the UAE), Maha Abdelmaged (Egypt), Ibrahim Nagi (Pakistan), Mohammed Buhasan (Bahrain), Mona Biswarupa Mohanty (India), Nasta Martyn (Poland), Natallia Nagorniak (Belarus), Nisreen Mounib Shawwa (Jordan), Onuoha Columbus (Nigeria), Paresh Thukrul (India), Renata Athanasio (France), Rima Wehbi (Lebanon), Tumpa Banerjee (India), and Wafa Khazendar (Palestine).
About Kutubna Cultural Center
Founded in 2023, Kutubna Cultural Center is Dubai’s independent bookstore and cultural hub. Located in Nadd Al Hamar, it serves as a vibrant meeting point for ideas, writing, and dialogue in the Gulf region. Dedicated to supporting Khaleeji, Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, and Muslim voices across literature and thought, Kutubna fosters a creative community built on intellectual exchange and inclusive learning.
To learn more about Motherhood: An Art and Photography Exhibition, please go to its official web page.
In addition, you might be interested in exploring The Imaginary Museum, a group exhibition at Rizq Art Initiative (RAi).
