First WOMART exhibition of 9 male artists is now open

The first WOMART group exhibition titled Male Perspectives: Images of Women by Men is now open to the public. The exhibition - which is being held in The Art Centre at Dubai Ladies Club - features over 25 artworks by nine local and regional male artists including Mohammad Sharaf, Ahmad Ismael, Mansour Talal Bakheet, Jamal Idris, Cyrus Mahboubian, Mohammed Hindash, Walid Al Wawi, Weidad Thamer and Zafar Ahmad. Working in a variety of art mediums, each artist explores questions of gender, feminine identity and societal expectations through their unique male perspective.

On Saturday evening, 19^th May 2012, the exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Salah Al Qassim, Consultant of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and attended by VIP guests comprising of Khalil Abdulwahid, Visual Arts Manager at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority and Patricia Millns, Artist as well as featured artists, guests and other distinguished members of the local and international art community. The Group Show is open to male and female visitors until Wednesday, 23rd May 2012 from 10 am to 9 pm. This event has been organised by Funoon, the art division of Dubai Ladies Club, which is a member of Dubai Women Establishment; and was sponsored by Ajmal Perfumes.

On the occasion, Muna Bin Kalli, Executive Director of Dubai Ladies Club said, “Our first WOMART exhibition sends out an intense and thought-provoking message while promoting a culture of respect and mutual understanding at the same time. I believe that the strong point of this exhibit is that we have brought together a range of male artists from varying backgrounds, working in different mediums and have strong yet very distinct opinions on the subject of ‘Women’. I am certain that this show will truly help diminish preconceived ideas about gender and identity and open the audience up to new ideals and viewpoints that resonate not only in our local Arab environment but on a global level as well.”

WOMART is the most recent art initiative launched by Funoon the art division of Dubai Ladies Club since its launch in early 2011. It is a series of quarterly group shows featuring artworks by regional and international artists, under one common theme. Each showing will introduce a thought-provoking theme that aims to inspire and raise our awareness of complex topics.

The newly reinvented art division was established to guide and solidify the role that arts and other cultural resources play in defining and enhancing the social fabric and quality of life of people living in the UAE. Funoon will work with local, regional and international foundations to enhance the UAE’s reputation as a cultural destination through programs that educate and expose the public to a rich and diverse range of cultural expressions through a variety of initiatives.