The Meridian International Center and the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are excited to unveil the second US location of Past Forward: Contemporary Art from the Emirates exhibition. The art exhibit will be on display in Fort Worth and Dallas through December 2, 2014 before the exhibition continues on its 18-month tour across the United States.
Paintings, photographs, sculptures, video installations, and other media by 25 notable Emirati artists help showcase the creativity radiating throughout the Emirati art scene and highlight the development and history of the UAE. Each piece of art tells a different story about the UAE’s rich cultural heritage and national narrative. For example, Mattar bin Lahej and Alia Lootah have both used oil on canvas to depict scenes highlighting the UAE’s development to important elements of Emirati culture, such as falconry and horseback riding. Using photography, Ammar Al Attar captures the important role that the fishing industry has had in the UAE’s development as a nation.
The art exhibition is also complemented by a unique cultural diplomacy outreach program to engage with communities across Texas and further explain the UAE’s history and heritage. Past Forward featured artist Shamma Al Amri and co-curator Noor Al Suwaidi will join us from the UAE for a series of public programming activities across the Metroplex area. Shamma and Noor will visit schools, host artist workshops, and meet with local artists.
We invite you to join us at either the World Affairs Council Headquarters in Dallas or Artspace 111 in Fort Worth to view this beautiful exhibit and learn more about the UAE’s rich cultural heritage.
