Elegance in Nature exhibition opens in Abu Dhabi

Showcasing the beauty and sensuality of flowers ... a Carlo Ferrari painting. - Supplied photo

Flowers, butterflies, gold and harmonies in oil paint will take over Emirates Palace's Mezzaluna, when an art exhibition opens here this evening.
Organised by the Swiss Art Gate UAE, together with Emirates Palace and the Italian art gallery Barbara Frigerio Contemporary Art, the Elegance in Nature exhibition brings to Abu Dhabi 19 artworks from four Europe-based artists.
The newest creations of Maurizio Bottoni, Carlo Ferrari, Vittorio Gui and Roshana Khalilian will be displayed at Mezzaluna until January 17. Using various techniques, styles and art mediums, the four featured artists are connected by the concept they portray in their works, the soft, delicate side of nature or, as Kurt Blum, general manager of Swiss Art Gate puts it, 'elegance in nature'.
"When we exhibit at the Emirates Palace, we always look for something classy, special, not too abstract or provoking," Blum told Khaleej Times. "We will have paintings, photography and an ancient art technique using gold," he added.
An Iranian artist living in Switzerland, Roshana Khalilian's artworks are the only ones in the group that do not directly relate to nature, but rather to human nature and emotions. Khalilian believes that colours can tell tales and she uses them to "talk" about the different cultures she encountered during her travels throughout the Middle East and Europe.
According to Blum, it was Khalilian who inspired this exhibition, as she was looking to showcase her artwork in Abu Dhabi.
Her work is represented by the Barbara Frigerio gallery in Italy, which also has works by other participating artists. Thus a connection was made and, the Elegance in Nature was born.
Some of the stand-out artworks are those of Italian artist Maurizio Bottoni, who devotes himself to the study of the ancient techniques of painting and engraving. "Bottoni is a master of realistic painting, using an ancient technique involving gold," pointed out Blum.
The artist's butterflies, birds or insects painted on gold leaf remind of the great artists of the early 16th century, such as Albrecht Dürer, or the contemporary figuration of Giorgio De Chirico and Pietro Annigoni. The study and the practice of oriental disciplines have greatly influenced the work of Italian art photographer Vittorio Gui.
The subjects of his works, from clouds to stones, always placed in regular compositions, and captured in black and white, seem just vehicles into what Gui defines as "the doors of nothing". Carlo Ferrari is a photorealistic painter, who dedicates his work to the beauty and sensuality of flowers. All artworks in the exhibition will be available for sale.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi