Saudi artist Abdulwahab Otaif will be the first to re-open the monthly art exhibitions at the Abu Dhabi Art Hub (ADAH), after a month long break during Ramadan. Since July 20, Otaif spent a few weeks between the industrial town of Mussaffah in Abu Dhabi and the desert village of Hameem in Liwa oasis, as ADAH artist in residence.

With food, transport and accommodation provided by ADAH, all the artist had to do was get inspired and paint. The fruits of his creative labour will be on show in a solo exhibition at ADAH's art gallery, from August 15 until September 10.

Known for his long brush strokes, soft colours and scenes of traditional village life, Otaif's work, which he exhibits for the second time with the Art Hub, is expected to attract a lot of interest from art fans and the art community in the capital.

Art fans here will, in fact, be kept busy during these coming weeks, as Otaif's solo exhibition will not be the only one.

"At the same time, we are having several art events - the Australian paper cutting artist Tusif Ahmad and an affordable art sale exhibition," said Ahmed Al Yafei, founder and owner of ADAH.

Tusif Ahmad has grown up with the traditions of Islamic art, captivated by its precise geometric designs and calligraphy-inspired motifs and patterns. The combination of paper-cutting and Islamic art is believed to be unique to his art. Each of Ahmad's artwork is delicately hand-cut from a single sheet of paper.

It is not just shapes and forms he is after, but also stories, particularly of love and beauty that Ahmad tells through his work.

"He is a unique artist, famous all over the world, and now he is exhibiting here, in Abu Dhabi for the first time," Al Yafei told Khaleej Times.

Ahmad's "Trip to Heaven" exhibition will take place at Rosewood hotel in Abu Dhabi from August 16 till August 21.

Affordable art sale

"We also have our eighth affordable art sale on August 15. The concept of this exhibition is to promote art in general and encourage the community to buy original art pieces. Too often we hear people saying that art is too expensive and they can't afford it, so this is an opportunity to buy affordable artworks," explained Al Yafei.

ADAH has imposed a maximum price of Dh2,000 for each artwork. Over 100 artworks will be exhibited by some 20 Emirati and UAE resident artists, both well established and emerging.

According to Al Yafei, the price cap does not mean that any splash on a canvas or photo snap can be entered in the Affordable Art exhibition. ADAH's team of art experts will inspect each artwork and only allow good quality works.

The exhibition will take place from August 15 till August 29 at the Art Hub compound.
Source: Khaleej Times