Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center, a newly established independent bookstore and cultural hub, is hosting an extensive art exhibition titled “One Hundred Years of Painting: Arab Art from 1916 to 2017.” The exhibit, open from August 17 to October 13, offers an in-depth exploration of the development of Arab art over the past century.
The exhibition features 27 paintings sourced from two prominent collections based in Dubai: the International House Group collection and the Al Noon Residence collection. It includes significant works that capture the evolution of Arab art, with pieces ranging from landscapes and still lifes to abstract works and calligraphy by celebrated Arab artists.
Notably, the Kutubna exhibit incorporates pieces from one of the most important Emirati art collections, amassed over three decades. Among the artists featured is Georges Hanna Sabbagh, an influential figure born in 1877 in Alexandria, Egypt. Sabbagh, the first Egyptian to study at the Louvre School in Paris, is known for his portraits and landscapes that reflect his fascination with Cairo’s historic districts.
The exhibition showcases a diverse array of artworks, highlighting various styles and periods. Noteworthy pieces include Shaker Hassan’s cubist “Red Rooster” from Iraq and Saliba Douaihy’s abstract “View of Qannoubine Valley” from Lebanon. The display also features modern surrealist works by Egyptian artist Farghali Abdel Hafez and Syrian artist Fateh Moudarres, as well as a three-dimensional piece by Lebanese artist Michel El Mir using palette knife techniques.
Additionally, the exhibition illustrates Douaihy’s artistic evolution with two paintings from different stages of his career, offering a comprehensive view of his development as an artist.
This retrospective provides a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to explore the rich tapestry of Arab art and its transformation over the last hundred years.
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