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Sir Bani Yas Island Inspires Local Artists |
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Desert Islands has taken a step ahead - beyond its mission for wildlife and nature conservation - to embrace and foster budding Emirati artists. The nature-rich archipelago’s developer, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), has joined forces with Emirati artist Jalal Luqman to sponsor his incredible initiative Jalal’s Art Trip, which supports the next generation of Emirati artists to grow from amateur to proficient artists. In line with the Abu Dhabi’s mandate of becoming an international art and culture capital, TDIC chose Sir Bani Yas Island - with its stunning backdrop of natural beauty and wildlife diversity - to inspire the local community of artists through Luqman’s initiative. The 15 art students experienced a full-day art trip at Sir Ban Yas Island where they were given the opportunity to create their own canvases that fit into the overall trip theme of ‘nature and wildlife’. “I remember how hard it was to become an artist (20 years ago), and how scarce support was, there was little if any support by individuals or organizations who supported art or artists, and that is why I started Jalal’s Art trip, to be the vehicle in which I lend that helping hand to the new upcoming artists” said Luqman. “Through it’s Arabian Wildlife Park, majestic green hilltops, salt domes and some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the region, Sir Bani Yas Island is the perfect location to serve as the inspiration for the artists..” The trip is only the first part of the programme. Following the day on Sir Ban Yas Island, Luqman will hold a series of art workshops over the course of six weeks which will be a key part of the education process and will be a comprehensive mix of practical and theoretical skills culminating in each student producing a painting that will be showcased at Ghaf Art Gallery in a 10-day exhibition scheduled at 11th April to the 21st of April. “TDIC is proud to support this campaign. Desert Islands is much more than a tourism destination; it is a meeting point of beautiful natural and cultural harmony and we are proud to offer this opportunity to such a talented group of young artists to inspire their future masterpieces.” said Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC. While the majority of the artists joining the trip are from the UAE, there is a diverse mix of nationalities with artists hailing from France, New Zealand, Australia, UK, Philippines, Lebanon and Syria, all of whom were joined by Luqman and a team of the UAE’s most prominent artists: Azza Al Qubaisi, Mohammed Mandi, Matar Bin Lahej and Sumayyah Al Suwaidi. |
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