Al Owais inaugurates Sculpture Symposium with participation of 15 artists from 13 Arab countries

The event, which is taking place from 18th February to 10th March, is sponsored by the Dubai Culture and Art Committee, Marsam Mattar and Gulf Sugar.

The Minister visited the artists' workshops at the Cultural and Scientific Association's premises, welcoming their stay in the UAE and discussing the artistic works that will be presented during the Symposium, alongside the CSA Chairman Mr. Sultan Bin Saqr Al Suwaidi, and the Executive Director of Culture and the Arts at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development Mr. Bilal Al Budoor and a number of artistic and cultural personalities. The Symposium inauguration also included heritage songs and shows presented by the Dubai Association for Folk Art.

On the occasion, the Minister said: "As long as the UAE and Dubai are used as a platform for various innovations, there is no doubt hosting such an event in Dubai reflects the spirit of love and cooperation shown by Arab artists in responding to our invitation, through their presence, interaction, and being in this location for the completion of their artistic work, to be able to view how their country blends in with the artists' vision and talent to produce a refined work of art".

Discussing the importance of the Dubai Sculpture Symposium 2013 in supporting Arab artists; H.E added: "Arab artists' achievements are extremely broad even at the international level, which is evidenced by their creativities and works spread across several international locations. We are keen to support Arab artists and strengthen the relationship with them to highlight and expand their artistic presence, and which will add to the cultural diary of Dubai".

The CSA Chairman said, "The Association, through hosting the Symposium, aims to add value to the event by expanding its experience to a global level, and the Symposium also works to enrich the UAE art scene. The completed works of art are the property of Dubai as the Symposium is an integral part of the Dubai cultural mission, and it will find its way to commemorate these interactions with Arab artists in Dubai's landmarks as support to and recognition of their art."

On a related level, H.E Bilal Al Budoor, said: "It is not strange to the UAE and Dubai to celebrate and host innovators. Dubai is adding to its record of innovation and creative experience another distinguished experience through the Sculpture Symposium, which we expect to be an event of great importance at the local and regional artistic level".

He added: "Boosting the motivation of artists to show their talents in this generous country, the event also highlights the dedication of the political establishment in terms of hosting such significant and sustainable events."

Dr. Najat Makki, a member of the preparatory committee, said: "We aim through such an important event to maximize the benefit of tapping the experience of Arab artists, and to extend this experience to include a widest range of students. We are currently following up a study conducted by a university student in this regard, as we see in the event an opportunity to support the international recognition of Arab artists, and to highlight their artistic achievements that will be on the ground here."

And concerning the participation of Emirati artists in the Symposium events, the Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej said: "My sculpture work, entitled "Al Madar" (Orbit), is about the local social atmosphere. I have chosen such a name to refer to connection and order, and also to send a message in Arabic words reflecting the importance of the return of warmth in family relations, the most important experience being, allowing the youngest participant to be around senior talented artists, giving an impetus to challenge and try to create a competitive, new precious artistic work for the UAE."

The symposium events will be separated in two parts: the first includes workshops and the second includes a show of the artists' experience at universities. The CSA will hold an evening session on 26th February, within the 'evenings artists show', that will include screening of a short film, briefing on the lives of the artists involved in the Symposium.

It will also highlight the artistic steps and presenting a number of productions, in addition to discovering the techniques used by artists in their sculptures, and their development stages - starting from their first experiences till reaching artistic maturity, and the creation of the artistic touch peculiar to each artist.

In this regard, the Symposium Organizing Committee prepared a program for visiting the participant artists at the art galleries in Dubai International financial centre. The galleries are: Art Dubai, Art Space, Sawa Art, Ayam Hall, Brown Book, Christies, Kordo Fine Art, Qupe Arts, Opera Hall, Riera Hall, Rubaa Khali, Al Fargam Group, XVA Hall, One Thousand Art Hall, in addition to cultural tours in many parts of the country.

The CSA will also organize cultural visits to the Symposium site, in order to give a chance to different segments, such as school and university students, artists and art centers, to learn about the experiences of artists in sculpture, and to allow direct contact with artists to talk with them, and to discover the participation of other artists at exhibitions, workshops and sculpture forums, as well as providing an overview of the Symposium.

The represented countries' artists are Mattar bin Lahej and Abdul Rahim Salem from the UAE; Ali Al Mahmeed from Bahrain; Mohamed ali Al Tokhais from Saudi Arabia,; Khaled Abdullah Mirghani from Sudan; Mohriz Alouz from Tunisia; Suhail Budour and Nesreen Ibrahim Saleh from Syria; Ayoub Al-Baloushi of the Sultanate of Oman; Ahmed Kanaan from Palestine, Ahmad Al Sabii from Qatar; Antoine basbous of Lebanon; Mohamed Bin AL Amin of Libya; and Mansour Al Mansi of Egypt.