UAE Unlimited Arab Exploration aims to stimulate the development of arts and culture in the country.

By: N.P. Krishna . Gulf News.

UAE Unlimited Arab Exploration is the art platform established in 2015 by Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan with a profound desire to give young Emirati and UAE-based emerging artists the opportunity to create and develop new artworks for the exhibition held in March every year in another Emirate.

Shobha Pia Shamdsani, the project director of UAE Unlimited Arab Exploration, spoke to Weekend Review about the programme. Excerpts:

Tell us about the programme. 

March is a busy month for arts and cultural scene in the UAE, and we want to take advantage of being able to attract more international and regional visitors from the art world, be they gallerists, curators, writers or collectors by holding our annual exhibition in March. The artists will be given the advantage to work with an experienced curator who will provide the mentoring they require to assist the developmental process of their skills.

Panel discussions are also held at Art Dubai, with others being planned in other cities. For us this is another interesting way which we can take Al Haraka Baraka simultaneously into another Emirate.

Why did you collaborate with Maraya Art Centre for the second edition? 

Our first exhibition Public Privacy was in Dubai. Since we wanted to take UAE Unlimited Arab Exploration to other Emirates, it was perfect to collaborate with Maraya Art Centre this year as we are all working towards the best interest of these artists.

Tell us about the young artists and the quality of works on show for Al Haraka Baraka. 

You will see for yourself that each artist has shown a willingness to take the opportunity to produce good artworks. They all understood the theme and worked well with the curator Dr Alexandra MacGilp to produce some truly unique artworks which we are proud to have in the collection of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.

What are the plans for the future? 

We have so far had exhibitions in Dubai and Sharjah, and we are working on plans to hold the 2017 edition in Abu Dhabi. This is a young organisation, we are striving to do more, not only for emerging artists but also for other young aspiring curators, writers and designers.

We recognise that by creating more opportunities for them, it will ultimately advance and stimulate the development of arts and culture in the UAE to grow rapidly, evolve further and eventually flourish.