SIKKA Art Fair 2018, a flagship event of Dubai Art Season and the first annual initiative of its kind focused on supporting and showcasing Saudi, Emirati, and GCC based artists, has featured the ‘Saudi House’ by Culture-Focused Tamashee during its eighth edition.

SIKKA Art Fair is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of Dubai Culture, and runs from 17th to 26th March, 2018, at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

In a direct translation of the directives issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to collaborate with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in many fields including culture, the Saudi House at SIKKA Art Fair is hosting a variety of exhibitions and activities that showcase the talent of over 20 Saudi artists under one roof. The house features Tamashee, a collaborative initiative for emerging artists in the fields of calligraphy, pottery, Islamic art and photography, as well an exhibition of works produced by Saudi artists who were selected as part of the SIKKA open call.

The house will include a ‘Majlis area’ showcasing the work of Sara Maiman; ‘Photography Room’ by Khlood Alkhaldi, Moath Alofi and Abdulrahman Aldgelbi; an ‘Asiri/Al Qatt Room’ by Ibraheem Alalmai and Nouf Binshaieg; the ‘Embroidery/Stitching Room’ by Mashail Faqeeh and Nojoud Alsudairi; ‘Calligraphy and Graffitti Room’ by Ayman Alhafith, Maha Al-Ghanmi and Maryam Abushal; and Aeysha Enani; there are also two rooms dedicated to portraiture the ‘Abstract Portrait Room’ by Mudi Albednah, Sara Alshobaili and the ‘Egal Room’ by Mohanna Tayeb.

Selected SIKKA artists including Fatima Al Dawood, Fatima Al Mohsen and Najoud Al Mushawih have created a mixed art display at the Saudi House, while Muruj Alshatri, Butool Aljefri and Aeysha Enani are showing their contemporary Islamic clay structures and canvases in the ‘Miniature & Geometric Art Room’.

The Saudi House has been brought to life from end to end, also featuring a ‘Courtyard Live Public Activation’ also known as Al Huwyy; where Tamashee designed stencils for colouring in, Nouf BinShaieg is working live around the courtyard and attractive external walls painted by Maryam Abushal and Butool Aljefri. Other attractions include a hallway that provides an introduction to the plants and trees of the Arabian Peninsula, and a ‘Hide Room’ showcasing 11 artists work on camel leather.

This year, Dubai Culture has made it easier than ever before for the public to reach SIKKA Art Fair, reflecting the authority’s commitment to involving all segments of society in the fair.

SIKKA Art Fair complements the city-wide activation of cultural events that will take place during the fifth edition of Dubai Art Season, which will run throughout March and April 2018 and feature events.

WAM