Artists
Welcome to CuturAll Artists, a creative directory that identifies, showcases and promotes the community of artistic and creative talents within the UAE. The evolving database will provide comprehensive insight into practicing artists, designers, and creatives whose work spans across a diverse range of disciplines including the visual arts, sculpture, performing arts, design, calligraphy and film.
Explore the profile pages for each artist to gain insight into their practice, images of their artwork, and find links to relevant resources as well as programmes and exhibitions they have participated in. We encourage you to follow their journey through social media or through their personal websites.
Abdalla Almulla
Abdalla Almulla a Dubai based Architect/Designer founder of MULA, a creative practice that is driven by the creative energy, which is constantly in flux; creating new ideas and developing them as the design advances.
Abdelghani Alnahawi
Abdelghani Alnahawi (b. Ras Al Khaimah, 1994) is a Palestinian artist who lives and works in the UAE.
Abdessalem Elfalah
Born in 1984 in Mezzouna, Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, Abdessalem Elfalah lives and works in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Abdul Qader Al Rais
Emirati, b. 1951, Dubai Abdul Qader Al Rais received his Bachelor’s degree in Sharia Law from the UAE University in Al Ain and developed his artistic practice independently.
Abdullah Al Saadi
Abdullah Al Saadi was born in 1967 and currently lives and works in Khorfakkan, in the United Arab Emirates.
Abdulrahim Salim
Born in 1955, Abdulrahim Salim is a pioneering Emirati artist who helped to shape the arts scene in the United Arab Emirates.
Abdulrahman Zainal
Emirati, b. 1951, Dubai Abdulrahman Zainal obtained his BA in Fine Arts (Interior Design) in 1979 from Helwan University, Cairo, as well as an MFA in Fine Arts from the Edinburgh College of Art in 1980.
Afra Al Dhaheri
Born and works in Abu Dhabi. Afra Al Dhaheri’s work is rooted in her experiences growing up in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE – a place of recent and rapid change.
Afra Al Suwaidi
Afra Salman Al Suwaidi, Emirati born in 1992. She specialized in fine arts and received a BA Degree from Zayed University in 2016.
Ahmad Saeed Al Areef
Ahmad Saeed Al Areef (born 1988, Al Ain, UAE) is an Emirati multidisciplinary artist.
Aisha Al Ahmadi
Aisha Al Ahmadi, born in 1997, and raised in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is an artist, writer, and aspiring curator.
Al Anood Al Obeidli
Al Anood Al Obeidli is Emirati Visual Artist from Abu Dhabi, UAE. She earned a BA in Visual Arts from the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi (2013), and she is an alumna of the Emerging Artists Fellowship Program, Sheikha Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, Abu Dhabi (2014).
Alaa Edris
Alaa Edris uses photography, film and performance to enact experimental mappings and manipulations of her social and urban environment.
Ali Hammad
Ali Hammad was born in 1985 in Quetta, Pakistan.
Alia Al Mazrooei
Alia Al Mazrooei is an Emirati interior designer. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Zayed University in 2017.
Ameena Aljarman
Born in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Ameena Aljarman earned her double majors bachelor of Fine Arts and International Studies at Zayed University.
Arthur de Oliveira
Arthur de Oliveira is a filmmaker, poet, artist and theatre practitioner from Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil.
Aruua
ARUUA (born 1995, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates) makes paintings, drawings, and mixed media artworks.
Asma Khoory
Asma Khoory is an artist born in Dubai, she graduated in 2017 with a BFA from Zayed University, and in 2018 she was part of the fifth cohort of The Salama Bint Hamdan Emerging Artist Fellowship in partnership with the Rhode Island School of Design.
Ayesha Hadhir
Ayesha Hadhir, (born 1994, Abu Dhabi, UAE) studied visual art at the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University.
Azza Al Qubaisi
Emirati, b. 1978, Abu Dhabi Azza Al Qubaisi is a jewellery artist, product designer and sculptor.
Christopher Benton
Christopher Benton (b. 1988, USA) is a UAE-based artist working across sculpture, photography, and film.
Dhabiya Al Rumaithi
Dhabiya Al Rumaithi’s interest in art started at an early age.
Diaa Allam
Born in 1981, in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, Diaa Allam lives and works in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Ebtisam Abdulaziz
Ebtisam AbdulAziz, born in 1975 Sharjah, UAE, lives between Abu Dhabi and Washington DC. Ebtisam is a multidisciplinary artist and writer, holds a bachelor’s degree in science and mathematics from the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain.
Eman Al Hashemi
Eman Al Hashemi is an artist based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Farah Al Qasimi
Working primarily with photography, video and performance, Farah Al Qasimi examines postcolonial structures of power, gender and taste in the Gulf Arab states.
Fatima Farah
Fatima Farah is an Emirati artist, born in 1991 and residing in Abu Dhabi.
Haadel Al Heeti
Hadeel Al Heeti is an Iraqi-Kuwaiti artist, designer and arts educator based in Abu Dhabi.
Hanneke Reinalda-Poot
Hanneke Reinalda-Poot was born in Haarlem, The Netherlands and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 2014.
Hashel Al Lamki
As Edward T.Hall said, “The relationship between man and the cultural dimension is one in which both man and his environment participate in molding each other”
Hassan Sharif
Emirati, 1951-2016 Hassan Sharif was a founding member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and of the Art Atelier in the Youth Theatre and Arts, Dubai.
Hind Mezaina
Born and works in Dubai. Hind Mezaina's work delves into themes of collective memory, the notion of heritage, and the representation of Dubai and the UAE in the media.
Jalal Luqman
Emirati, b. 1967, Abu Dhabi JALAL LUQMAN Is an Emirati mixed media Artist, Sculptor, Curator and Author, an active personality in the UAE’s art scene for more than three decades.
James Matthews
James Matthews is a British maker and art educator, currently working in the UAE.
Jeffar Khaldi
Born in Saida, Lebanon, in 1964, Jeffar Khaldi relocated to Texas at the age of 16 to avoid forcible militia recruitment during the Lebanese Civil War (1975–90).
Jonny Farrow
Jonny Farrow (born 1969, Kentucky, USA) has shown and presented work in the United States, Sweden, United Kingdom, Kuwait, and has had two solo and multiple group exhibits in the United Arab Emirates.
Juma Alhaj
Juma, a Sharjah native raised between the UAE and the USA, received an art mentorship under resident artist Ted Ramsey, at the New School of Northern Virginia.
Khalid Mezaina
Khalid Mezaina graduated from the American University of Sharjah in 2006 with a BS in Visual Communication.
Khulood Al Jabri
Emirati, b.1967, Abu Dhabi Khulood Al Jabri received her BA in Media Geography from Al Ain University in 1986, in addition to a Diploma in Management from Abu Dhabi University and a training certificate in Arts and Crafts from the SB Academy in England.
Mahmoud Jameel Al Ramahi
Emirati, b. 1961, Jerusalem Mahmoud Jameel Al Ramahi lives and works in Abu Dhabi, where he has been an active member of the artistic community since the 1980s - including founding and chairing Friends of Art - Abu Dhabi Cultural Society (1986-1996).
Mahra Al Falahi
Born in 1997, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Mahra Al Falahi lives and works in Abu Dhabi.
Maitha Abdallah
Born in 1989, mixed media artist Maitha Abdallah oscillates between the diaphanous, vibrant and surreal; her art is always marked by an atmosphere of reminiscence and nostalgia.
Maitha Hamdan
Maitha Hamdan is a conceptual artist who explores her art through different mediums such as performances and art installation.
Malda Smadi
Malda Smadi (b.1987, Damascus, Syria) lives and works in Dubai.
Mays Albaik
Mays Albaik is a Palestinian artist with an interdisciplinary visual practice triangulating body, language, and place.
Mohamed Al Astad
Emirati, b. 1968, Khorfakkan Mohammed Al Astad first studied art with Mohammed Aziz Al Khani at the UAE University in Al Ain. He has been a member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society since 1987.
Mohamed Al Mazrouei
Emirati, b. 1962, Egypt Mohamed Al Mazrouei alternates living and working between Abu Dhabi and Cairo. He studied comparative religion at Al Azhar University in Cairo, in addition to Greek and Latin.
Mohamed Yousif
Emirati, b. 1953, Sharjah Mohamed Yousif received his BA degree in Fine Arts in 1978 from the College of Fine Arts (Cairo); an MFA of Fine Arts from Webster University (St. Louis, US); as well as a PhD in Fine Arts from Manav Rachna International University (Faridabad, India).
Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim
Emirati, b. 1962, Khorfakkan Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim studied art at the Emirates Fine Arts Society, mentored by artist Hassan Sharif and by the avant-garde poet, Ahmed Rashid Thani (originally a librarian in Khor Fakkan, the latter went on to become librarian at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi).
Mohammed Al Qassab
Emirati, b. 1960, Dubai Mohammed Al Qassab is a self-taught artist who first took interest in art at the age of 17, and more recently completed an art residency at the Lepsien Art Foundation.
Mohammed Kazem
Mohammed Kazem (born 1969, Dubai) lives and works in Dubai. He has developed an artistic practice that encompasses video, photography and performance to find new ways of apprehending his environment and experiences.
Mohammed Mandi
Emirati, b. Abu Dhabi Mohammed Mandi graduated from the Arabic Calligraphy Improvement School in Cairo in 1977 and continued his training in the 1970s under renowned Turkish calligrapher, Hassan Chalabi.
Mona Al Khaja
Emirati, b. 1958, Kuwait Mona Al Khaja received her BA from the College of Fine Arts at the University of Helwan (Cairo, 1981).
Moza Almatrooshi
Moza Almatrooshi is a UAE based conceptual artist, writer, and chef. She obtained an MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art in London, UK in 2019.
Najat Makki
Emirati, b. 1956, Dubai Najat Makki obtained her BA and MFA in Relief Sculpture and Metal from the College of Fine Arts in Cairo, where she also received her PhD in Philosophy of Art in 2001.
Nasser Alzayani
Nasser Alzayani (b.1991, Manama, Bahrain) is a Bahraini-American artist living and working in Abu Dhabi.
Noura Alserkal
Noura is an artist driven by excavating the relationships between the known and the unknown. She explores means of uncovering her family history and genealogy through archival research and re-engineered narratives.
Nujoom Alghanem
Nujoom Alghanem is an Emirati artist, poet, and multi-award-winning film director.
Obaid Suroor
Emirati, b. 1955, Ras Al Khaimah Obaid Suroor received his BA in Fine Arts from Cairo University. He is a founding member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society, and head of the Society’s atelier in Ras Al Khaimah.
Rawdha Al Ketbi
Rawdha Al Ketbi b.1997, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Lives and works in Abu Dhabi Rawdha Al Ketbi is an Emirati visual artist.
Reem Falaknaz
Reem Falaknaz is a photographer who’s work documents the social and physical landscape of the UAE and its inhabitants.
Saif Ali Al Sadah
Saif Ali Al Sadah is an Emirati artist born in Dubai in 1977.
Salma Al Marri
Emirati, b. 1962, Ras Al Khaimah Salma Al Marri obtained her BA in Fine Arts (painting) from Cairo University in Egypt in 1985.
Saoud Al Dhaheri
Saoud Al Dhaheri (b. 1987, Al Ain, UAE) joined the Higher Collages of Technology Photography Club, and later the Emirates Photography Society, to pursue his artistic passion.
Sarah Alagroobi
Sarah Alagroobi is a multidisciplinary artist and educator with an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art, London.
Sarah Almehairi
Sarah Almehairi was born in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in 1998, where she currently lives and works.
Shaikha Al Ketbi
Shaikha Al Ketbi is a visual artist whose multimedia practice spans photography, drawing and installation art.
Shaikha Al Mazrou
Shaikha Al Mazrou (b. 1988, UAE) received her MFA in 2014 at the Chelsea College of Fine Art, University of the Arts, London where she was awarded the prestigious MFA Student Prize.
Shamma Al Amri
Shamma Al Amri is an artist from the UAE. She holds two MA degrees: the first in Culture and Creative Industries from Abu Dhabi HCT and the second in Contemporary Art Practice from the Royal College of Art in London.
Shamsa Al Dhaheri
Shamsa Al Dhaheri is an Emirati artist born in 1995 in Abu Dhabi, where she currently lives and works.
Simrin Mehra Agarwal
Simrin Mehra Agarwal lives and works in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Sultan Al Remeithi
Sultan Al Remeithi was born in Abu Dhabi in 1989.
Sumayyah Al Suwaidi
Sumayyah Al Suwaidi is a multiple award-winning Emirati artist based in Abu Dhabi.
Tala Worrell
Tala Worrell (b. 1991, New York) is a Lebanese-American painter who grew up in Abu Dhabi.
Taqwa Al Naqbi
Taqwa Al Naqbi completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sharjah in 2016. She is one of the participants in the SEAF programme in 2018.
Tarek Al-Ghoussein
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (1962-2022) was born in Kuwait. The child of Palestinian exiles, Al-Ghoussein also spent part of his youth in the United States, Morocco and Japan.
Tasnim Tinawi
Tasnim Tinawi is an architect based in the UAE whose work spans the disciplines of architecture, art, and installation.
Wid Al Bayati
Wid Al Bayaty’s practice engages autobiographical memory to examine obstruction, fragmentation, and rebuilding, as recurring cycles encountered through the body.
Zayed Temash
Zayed Temash (born 1988, Abu Dhabi, UAE) is a visual artist who received his Bachelor’s degree in business and a Master’s degree in communications from Zayed University.