Dubai, 28 October, 2014 – Aspiring young UAE artists were recently presented with a new opportunity to showcase their work to a captive audience during DIFC’s hugely popular Art Nights at Gate Village, taking place 27 October.
Launched by Al Nabooda Automobiles, the exclusive dealer for Audi in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the Audi Art Experience competition presented young local artists the chance to create and display work at the opening exhibition of the new art season at Gate Village, Dubai’s cultural district.
Held under the theme, ‘The Heart of Innovation’, the competition was open to all artists in the UAE under the age of 30.
Participants were requested to submit a personal statement, three examples of previous work and their concept outline.
Ten finalists were selected and hand-picked by a panel of judges, including Audi Ambassador Hala Kazim and the competition curator and UAE abstract artist Humaid Mansoor, who hosted a two-day workshop at the Audi Dubai showroom for the artists prior to the exhibition which launched last night (Monday 27 October).
“The Arts scene has really taken off in the past few years, not only in the UAE, but in the region as a whole,” said Mansoor. “The commitment that local businesses such as Al Nabooda Automobiles show by supporting artists through ongoing projects like the Audi Art Experience is a true testament to the growth in this sector”.
Ali Al Nabooda, General Manager, Audi, Al Nabooda Automobiles, said, “The Audi Art Experience is a great opportunity for young, local talent to have their work seen by their peers, contemporaries and leading figures in our burgeoning arts scene and to be recognised in a public sphere.
“This is the fourth local art event we have presented in recent years and we hope this new initiative has inspired the artists to create memorable, one of a kind pieces which will capture the imagination of the large audience at Art Nights this season.”
The ten aspiring artists which were carefully selected by the judging panel consist of Ali Mrad, Salem Al Junaibi, Shamma Al Dabbal, Moza Al Matrooshi, Saeed Al Madani, Khawla Darwish, Eman Al Raeesi, Rashed Al Marri, May Al Shamsi and Myra Shahzad.
Art Nights has become established as an important part of the DIFC cultural calendar, with the iconic Gate Village venue transformed into a creative space and cultural hub in the region, featuring exhibitions, music, live art, workshops and film screenings.