Sharjah opens door to global Artists Biennial Festival beckons

Entries from across the Arab world and far beyond are currently being invited to the prestigious UAE arts festival which, for a full month, will transform Sharjah into the creative hub of the Middle East.

From April 8 to May 8 artists, distinguished critics, art academics, researchers, historians and media will descend on the city consolidating Sharjah's 1998 accolade as the cultural capital of the Arab World.

Exhibits from every fold of the creative spectrum will be on
display from painting, sculpture, printing and photography to performance, installation, video and web art.

The creative diversity of the Sharjah International Art Biennial is further enhanced by its multicultural nature. A key aim of the event is to create better understanding among local, Pan-Arab and international art movements.

Artists from all over the world will enter exhibits and while creative excellence is the spur, the rewards are also tangible. Total prize money in excess of $US 50,000 is on offer, including a grand award of more than $US 8000 to the winner of the "Sharjah Fine Art Creativity Prize".

The Biennial is organized by the Sharjah Department of Culture and Information under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah and a lifelong supporter of the Arts.

Hisham Al Madhloum, General Co-ordinator of the Biennial, said the multinational nature of the event made for healthy interaction between Arab and international art organizations and institutions. The Biennial and its concurrent programmes consist of:

· A formal art exhibition where exhibits are judged and major prizes awarded.

· An exciting mix of solo exhibitions and experimental workshops.

· An international art symposium and stimulating intellectual programme.

The Biennial organizing committee extends official invitations to selected countries to take part in the prestigious event which was first held in 1993. These countries can, in turn, choose their representing artists up to three in each category and all countries are given equal display space.

Selected countries will also send a Commissioner to the Biennial. An artist, critic or official, the Commissioner will act as his or her country's representative and will be provided with full board hotel accommodation for the duration of the event.

As well as invitations to countries, individual artists will be invited to to take part in either solo exhibitions, workshops, special experimental projects or other aspects of the Biennial. The event will also feature a Biennial "Honorary Award" an accolade which will be bestowed on four artists and one art critic from the Arab world.

All participating countries and individual artists are eligible to enter for the various awards which carry a total prize money of AED 205,000. And every Biennial participant is automatically entered for the top accolade the "Sharjah Fine Art Creativity Prize" which carries prize money of 30,000 UAE dirhams.

First and second prizes of Dh20,000 and Dh15,000 respectively will also be awarded in each of five other categories Painting, Sculpture, Printing, Installation and Media. Artworks more than two years old and works previously entered into other international biennials are ineligible.