Dubai - Setbacks should inspire youth, says Emirati artist who was thrown out of university 3 times.
Published: Tue 24 Nov 2015, 11:00 PM
Updated: Thu 26 Nov 2015, 7:48 AM
Speaking in front of a group of young Emirati university students, Mattar bin Lahej is a living proof that with many fails comes success.
"I was thrown out of university three times. I was told I would never achieve anything," artist Lahej tells Khaleej Times.
As he motions his arm around the gardens of the Mattar Art Centre - which he founded and opened in 2003 - a smile appears on his face.
"This is one of my art workshops, here is my café, my studio and through those doors is my gallery. Now tell me, did I achieve something?"
As part of the UAE Innovation Week, Lahej gave a talk to students from the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation's Rowad creativity and innovation team.
"What I've been telling the students today is the story of where I came from, what I've overcome and where I am today. I want to show them that with hard work they can achieve something."
Coming from a generation when art was not recognised in the UAE, Lahej says it was the dedication of himself and other artists that helped open the door to art here.
"These stories need to be told to the youth. They need to know that failing is not something to be afraid of, it is something that should inspire you to achieve your goals even more." The Emirati painter, photographer and sculptor created the first art gallery in the UAE and says he hopes the UAE Innovation Week will inspire other students to push the boundaries to make change in the country.
As part of Awqaf's Innovation Week events, some of the foundation's minors also directed a film promoting a positive and motivational message, where a girl follows her dream to invent a spacecraft which is operated electronically through a smartphone.
Student-talk: What does innovation mean to you?
Omar Al Blooshi, 17:
"Being innovative isn't easy. it takes huge dedication and support from your peers and seniors. This week during (the) UAE Innovation Week, i will be attending talks on entrepreneurship, which is something the UAE leadership is really trying to foster among (the) youth. To me, innovation is all about hard work and brainstorming."
Maryam Al Faqi, 18:
"To me, innovation is distinguished by fresh ideas and hard work. Mattar bin Lahej taught me that you cannot achieve success in just one step. If you get rejected don't lose hope. Use that rejection to push you more."
Hamda Alsaboori, 16:
"A country cannot be a country without innovation. it needs innovation to move forward. I think the things that bring you down are most likely the things that will allow you to continue on your journey to success."
Fatma Oaqad Alfalahi, 18:
"Creative thinking is one of the highest achievements of humanity. I think everyone is capable of creating and innovating whatever they want, they just need to believe in themselves."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
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