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SMD’s ’Accumulate Exhibition’ At Sharjah Museum Of Islamic Civilization Highlights Student Talent











Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department (SMD), inaugurated the ‘Accumulate Exhibition’ at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, organised by SMD in co-operation with the University of Sharjah and British Council. Ataya toured the exhibition accompanied by Richard Cotton, Director of the British Council, UAE and Professor Hassan Abdulla, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sharjah.

Accumulate Exhibition, to be held until November 12, 2010, at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is an exhibition of contemporary artworks by 13 students from the College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sharjah. The students took part in a five-day Collage/Assemblage workshop with Lebanese born artist Camille Zakharia, one of the short-listed artists for The Jameel Prize 2009, recently hosted at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization.

The ‘Jameel Prize 2009’ art exhibition, organized and toured by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, featured the winner and runners-up of the international Jameel Prize awarded for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition.

Commenting on the objective of the workshop, Camille Zakharia said: “The very nature of the workshop was to experiment with the collage technique. It combines elements that do not normally coexist together, with the objective of challenging the way we observe the world around us, and venture beyond our usual practice.”

“The students have challenged themselves by producing stunning works using all kind of materials, from found objects to paper tapes, transparencies and metal to name a few. The dimensions of the artworks created vary from large scale installation pieces to humble wooden box sizes. Some works are wall pieces, others lay flat on the floor and one work is suspended,” Zakharia added. “The works produced during the workshop reflect the critical thinking of the younger generation in the Arab world.”

Dr Elisabeth Stoney, Assistant Professor in Art History at the University of Sharjah and supervisor of the participating students said: ‘The College of Fine Arts and Design - University of Sharjah - is pleased to collaborate with the Jameel Prize via its programme of activities. As a College that educates emerging artists and designers, we particularly appreciate the focus on Islamic traditions and the support for contemporary art and design that the Jameel Prize represents. We sincerely thank the British Council and the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization for making the student workshop and exhibition possible.’

Aisha Deemas, Curator at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization said: “Educational events are always a great support for exhibitions. In this case, we have been privileged to see the development of a successful workshop - from the birth of an idea to the complete artworks now on display. It is also a very insightful experience for the students who had the chance to work with Camille Zakharia on this project. The Jameel Prize Exhibition from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London has indeed been a great source of inspiration for all involved.”

Michel Bechara, Director of Projects, British Council, UAE said: “British Council is delighted to present the works of the University of Sharjah students, which have been produced under the expert supervision of Camille Zakharia, one of the shortlisted artists of the Jameel Prize 2009 competition. It is our constant endeavour to use the arts to promote cultural exchange and relations, and the workshop is an apt example of creative collaborations and exchanges between professional and emerging artists.”

The 13 students are Hala Al Hedeithy, Sara Abuabdullah, Sofia Byttebier, Nada Abdulrahman, Areej Ghassan, Ayshah Saqer Al Qasimi, Batool Mohamed, Khadija Fikri, Angie Abbas, Nissa Khaled Ahmed, Mariam Ali, Asma Yousef, and Unaiza Ismail.
 

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