By Edward Attwood www.arabianbusiness.com
A new gallery that will showcase the best in Arab contemporary talent is planning to open its doors in Downtown Dubai during April.
The 3,000 square foot Ara Gallery, located near the base of the Burj Khalifa, has also earmarked community engagement as a key pillar of its strategy.
The gallery’s first exhibition, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Kodak, will feature around 30 artworks by six emerging Arab artists, inspired by photos taken by children from Lesotho.
An art auction scheduled to take place during the gallery’s launch event will see 100 percent of the money raised donated to Habitat for Humanity in Lesotho.
“Through The Ara Gallery, emerging Arab artists will have an opportunity to showcase their work and create a place for them in the art market, that is our main aim,” said Moza Mohammed Al Abbar, the gallery’s founder.
“The gallery will provide a platform for not only showcasing artists but also community engagement. We also feel the responsibility to reach out and help others, and that is why we are incorporating humanitarianism into our opening exhibition and overall strategy.”
The opening exhibition will feature six young Emirati artists: Saeed Khalifa, Saeed Al Madani, Khawla Al Marri, Maryam Al Qassimi, Maryam Al Sayegh and Alia Rashid Al Shamsi.
Each piece of art sold during the month-long exhibition will see 2.5 percent of the retail price donated to Habitat for Humanity in Lesotho.
