Sheikha Bodour inaugurates 2014 Women & Art Exhibition

Deputy Chairperson of the Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC) Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al-Qasimi Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Investment '&' Development Authority (Shurooq) and Deputy Chairperson of the Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC), inaugurated the 2014 Women '&' Art Exhibition, on Monday morning 27th January at the Sharjah Art Museum. The exhibition is organised by SLC under the theme: "Interpreting Peace", with participation of 24 Arab and international artists.
The opening was attended by Sheikha Aisha bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Advisor Committee of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Noura Al Noman, Director General of The Executive Office Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, Khawla Al Serkal, SLC Director, Salha Ghabesh Cultural Activist and Advisor to the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and other heads and managers in the Sharjah government.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi toured the various sections of the exhibition where the participating artists, who have brought their work from all over the world, introduced their artworks, taking the opportunity to give some insight the story behind each work and how the theme ?Interpreting Peace' motivated them to create these pieces.
She expressed her appreciation for the ongoing success of the exhibition year on year, remarking that it has become one of the most awaited and important events held in the Emirate of Sharjah, due to the diversity of participating styles and the diverse range of the nationalities of the artists, as well as the selection of different thought provoking themes selected each year to highlight and focus the works displayed.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi reaffirmed that the selection of the ?Interpreting Peace' theme for this year comes in line with the tenets of Arab and Islamic identity, which consistently advocates peace with others. She also pointed out that the exhibition supports Sharjah's culture and reflects the UAE's interest in women and efforts towards providing the necessary support for their artistic needs and talent.
She added: "I hope this exhibition is an opportunity for cultural and knowledge exchange between the artists and to the community as a whole. This contributes to the enhancement of the role of women in the arts field and encourages them to develop their talent and take advantage of their capabilities." The exhibition is sponsored by Etisalat (Main sponsor), Bee'ah (Support Sponsor) and feature by 24 participating artists from a range of countries, including the UAE, Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, France, India, Iran, Italia, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, the Dominican Republic, Turkey, and the USA, among others. Aside from the exhibition, workshops will be held as well as the Closing Ceremony organised for the media partners and sponsors in February.
Regarding the ceremony, Khawla al Serkal, SLC Director, said "Sharjah Ladies Club's organisation of this event reflects our belief in the importance of art and the message it send across society. We are always eager to support the women's art movement by supplying them with outlets for their creativity and thereby, from our side, contributing to the enhancement of the role of women in society." She added, "We tried to gather all cultures under one roof. We wanted to have direct contact with the artists and to provide a vehicle that would allow and encourage them to interact with each other. Many artists participating in the exhibition have a variety of prestigious achievements and successes to their credit, and we wanted to capitalise on the wealth of experience available to give all of our participants and our visitors a chance to expand their artistic horizons." Al Serkal pointed out that the exhibition includes artworks reflecting different definitions of peace, either internally, environmentally, spiritually and not only within the circle of war and struggle.
Badria Al Ali, Head of Corporate Communication announced that the artists would be available for one week and the exhibition with the artworks would stay at the Sharjah Art Museum for one month. Some of the artworks will be available for purchase for visitors, and journalists will also have the chance to interact with the artists to highlight their artistic experience through workshops and panel discussions within the schedule set for the exhibition.
A Closing Ceremony will also be organised for the media partners and sponsors in February.
Source: WAM