Art from the heart

Sikka Art Fair, the contemporary artist-led fair of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has kicked off with a multicultural and compelling showcase of artworks and the largest line-up of activities to date.

Celebrating art ... at the Sikka Art Fair, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai, on Saturday — KT photo by Grace Guino

Held at the cultural nerve-centre of the city Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the art fair is a flagship initiative under Dubai Culture’s newly-launched ‘Dubai Art Season’. It celebrates arts at Dubai’s grassroots level and provides visitors the opportunity to engage with emerging artists and gain an understanding of contemporary art forms. Sikka joins four premier arts and culture initiatives including Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai, Middle East Film and Comic Con and the Gulf Film Festival, as part of Dubai Art Season.

Over 50 artists and multi-disciplinary initiatives representing 25 nations, all residents of the UAE, will create a host of site-specific work, spanning an array of mediums including audio and video installations; multi-disciplinary initiatives; artistic installations; music performances; and visual arts, such as painting, photography, and sculptures.

With Emiratis representing majority of the artists, the fair will also see works by artists from Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, South Korea, Syria, United Kingdom, and United States of America.

The artworks were curated by Shaikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, founder and director of FN Designs, and Japanese architect and programme director Kayoko Iemura, official curators of ‘Dubai Art Season’ and Sikka, and assisted by Yusaka Imamura, art advisor.

Held until March 25 and featuring over 100 activities spanning 10 days, this year’s Sikka Art Fair programme will focus on the entire spectrum of arts – from visual and performing arts to film and literature.

The fair will also host the Open Studios Exhibition featuring works by artists selected for the annual Artists-in-Residence (A.i.R) Dubai programme, with the participants creating site-specific work.

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