Last Weeks to See First-of-its-Kind UAE Art Exhibit
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 3, 2016) — Time is running out to visit the first major touring exhibition of art from the United Arab Emirates in the U.S. as the University of Kentucky Bolivar Art Gallery wraps its presentation of the exhibition "Past Forward: Contemporary Art from the Emirates.” The free public show will end Friday, May 13, at the gallery located in the new UK Art and Visual Studies Building.
“Past Forward,” organized by Meridian International Center and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), tells the story of the UAE’s rich history, culture and rapid development. A special highlight of "Past Forward" is the display of works that features facets of Emirati culture, including a strong equestrian heritage and a culture deeply rooted in hospitality. The UAE — which is home to more than 200 different nationalities — and the Commonwealth of Kentucky share a proud culture of hospitality that makes visitors feel at home."'Past Forward’ presents the UAE’s culture and history as told through the eyes of the country’s best contemporary artists, and how the country has preserved its traditions while developing into the modern, open and tolerant place it is today," said UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba. "'Past Forward’s final stop in Lexington, Kentucky, is the last chance to view some of these talented Emiratis’ artwork in the U.S., and we are excited to share this moment in a city where we have so much in common."
The exhibition showcases more than 50 paintings, photographs, sculptures, video installations and other media by 25 notable Emirati artists. Emirati artists are a multifaceted group of men and women who have maintained a sense of national identity while also promoting their vision and aspirations for the future. Early proponents of contemporary art in the UAE forged a path for the art world over 40 years ago, making the discipline a key aspect of today’s culture.
The Emirati artists included in this exhibition are: Ebtisam AbdulAziz, Shamma Al Amri, Ammar Al Attar, Khalid Al Banna, Zeinab Al Hashemi, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Maitha Al Mehairbi, Farah Al Qasimi, Mohammed Al Qassab, Abdul Qader Al Rais, Alia Saeed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Buti Al Shamsi, Afra Bin Dhaher, Mattar Bin Lahej, Maitha Demithan, Alaa Edris, Lamya Gargash, Mohammed Saeed Harib, Alia Lootah, Najat Makki, Lateefa bint Maktoum, Khalid Mezaina, Salama Nasib, Khalid Shafar and Obaid Suroor.
Housed in the UK Art and Visual Studies Building, the Bolivar Art Gallery is the primary gallery space of UK's School of Art and Visual Studies at the College of Fine Arts. The gallery features exhibition programming showcasing work by visiting artists, as well as UK students and faculty in the School of Art and Visual Studies, an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of art studio, art history and visual studies, and art education.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Meridian International Center is a premier international leadership organization that provides valuable insight and experiences across borders, cultures and sectors. Meridian works with U.S. Department of State partners in the government, private, NGO, and educational sectors globally to create lasting international partnerships through leadership programs and cultural exchanges. Meridian also connects U.S. and foreign governments with the private sector to respond to global challenges and sustain impact. Meridian’s mission is to create innovative exchange, educational, cultural, and policy programs that advance three goals: strengthen U.S. engagement with the world through the power of exchange, prepare public and private sector leaders for a complex global future, and provide a neutral forum for international collaboration across sectors.
The UAE is a source of stability, tolerance, innovation, and growth in the Arabian Gulf and around the globe. The United States and the UAE are reliable allies, with historical and present-day shared security and economic interests. In fact, the UAE is the largest export market for U.S. goods in the Middle East and more U.S. naval vessels visit UAE ports than any other port outside the United States. The United States and the UAE also enjoy growing social and cultural ties, and many U.S. institutions in education, health care and the arts have formed collaborative partnerships with UAE entities. For more information: www.uae-embassy.org.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu