Latest news with #ZaahirahMuthy
Gulf Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
SDGs through Arts – India celebrates creativity, sustainability in Bengaluru
ZeeArts Gallery, Dubai, has announced the successful completion of SDGs through Arts - India, held in collaboration with Art Ambassador, Humera Ali. The initiative brought together 17 international and local artists for a creative retreat June 26–27 at the Conrad Hotel Bengaluru, followed by a Vernissage Gala Dinner and Art Auction on June 28. India became the 16th country to join the global movement; it reaffirmed the programme's commitment to harnessing the transformative power of art in raising awareness about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering meaningful cultural dialogue. The current edition welcomed artists from India, the UAE, Oman, France, The Netherlands, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Mauritius, Syria, and Germany. For over two days, artists engaged in collaborative dialogue, created works themed around the SDGs, and shared their cultural narratives through the universal language of art. On Day 2, the initiative also welcomed 17 students from The Cambridge International School, Bengaluru, offering them an exclusive opportunity to interact with the participating artists as part of their educational research. The occasion bridged youth, creativity, and social awareness. An artist with her artwork. The Vernissage Gala Dinner and Art Auction joined together a gathering of art patrons, cultural advocates, sustainability champions, and distinguished guests. The evening was hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Shabeer, who set the tone and temper of the celebrations. The event commenced with a welcoming address by Humera Ali, who extended her gratitude to the participating artists, partners and supporters for their dedication to extending and advancing the initiative in India. The evening's highlight included a keynote address by Zaahirah Muthy, Founder and Curator of ZeeArts Gallery, who spoke about the power of art as a catalyst for dialogue, social transformation, and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Guests were also treated to an exhilarating live painting performance by celebrated artist, Vilas Naik, whose artwork was later auctioned as part of the proceedings. The cultural mood was further elevated by a Bharatanatyam performance by young talent, Shruti D'sa, followed by a musical performance by artist Ashwini, both of whom projected India's rich artistic heritage. The event culminated in a live art auction, with proceeds supporting initiatives under SDG 4: Quality Education. The auction saw enthusiastic participation from art collectors and philanthropists, underlining a collective commitment to community-based educational programmes that empower youth through creativity and learning. SDGs through Arts is a global initiative launched by ZeeArts Gallery during Expo 2020 Dubai, in collaboration with the UN-UAE. Curated by Zaahirah Muthy, the project has successfully completed editions in the UAE, Mauritius, Seychelles, Bangladesh, Iraq, Comoros, Lebanon, Reunion, Switzerland, Germany, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Oman, The Netherlands, Rodrigues Island, Madagascar and India. 'We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all participating artists, collectors, supporters and our valued partners Dr. Muhammad Ali, Intellissence, Raffles Park, Poshium Estate, Conrad Hotel Bengaluru, The Cambridge International School, and Jaivik Farms,' said Zaahirah Muthy. 'A special congratulations to Humera Ali for her exceptional leadership and dedication in making SDGs through Arts – India a resounding success.' Emirati artist Najat Makki (right) at the event. Humera Ali is a Bangalore-based visual artist, and an alumna of Bishop Cottons Girls School and Mount Carmel College, where she earned a Bachelors in Arts. She is inspired by the environment and advocates for Nature conservation through her work. Her art, characterised by abstraction and impressionism, conveys her inner thoughts, experiences, and beliefs. Humera Ali's paintings are marked by bold brush strokes and elements of light, and have been showcased internationally in the USA, Dubai, Sydney, Canada, and Singapore. Zaahirah Muthy is an artist-activist and curator hailing from Mauritius, residing in Dubai. With a view to bringing positive changes in society, she strives to convey a message of empowerment through the arts and artistic initiatives. Her artworks have been exhibited in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Asia. She is mainly a mixed-media artist who creates works in paintings, collage, assemblages, and sculptures. They are exhibited in prestigious locations such as hotels, museums, banks and private collections of prominent collectors, and have been featured in local, regional and international media. Zaahirah Muthy (in red) gives an award to Humera Ali. Zaahirah has provided consistently impassioned support for women artists across the globe. As the helmsman and brain behind 'Art Connects Women' which advocates for female artists from across the globe, she has been instrumental in establishing a global platform that serves to promote the representation of female artists. Zaahirah has won multiple awards and has received several recognitions for her dedication in shaping and transforming the art and cultural ecosystems. She was the curator for World Art Dubai 2017, and an illustration of hers was selected for Sharjah Book Fair, 2013. ZeeArts Gallery is a global art platform committed to promoting cultural exchange, empowering artists and advocating for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through creative initiatives. With over 85 international exhibitions curated and several award-winning projects, it is a driving force in creating and fostering impactful artistic dialogues worldwide. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected global objectives established in 2015 to address a wide range of pressing societal and environmental challenges facing the world. Artists at the event. The goals were enacted as a comprehensive blueprint for achieving a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable future for all, aiming to guide collective efforts towards tackling issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and peace. SDGs provide a framework that deals with the intricate web of factors affecting human well-being and planetary health.
Khaleej Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Claire Dominics Buro supports global women's art platform at DIFC
Claire Dominics Buro, an award-winning international luxury design studio with roots in Italy and Spain and a headquarters in Dubai, proudly served as a strategic partner for the 8th edition of Art Connects Women, held at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) from April 8–11, 2025. Curated by Zaahirah Muthy, founder of ZeeArts Gallery, this year's exhibition marked a milestone in the global art community, showcasing works from 112 female artists representing 112 countries—a record-breaking edition that celebrated diversity, heritage, and cross-cultural artistic dialogue. Among the standout contributions was Claire Dominics Buro's presentation of 'In Search of Yourself', a thought-provoking sculptural piece by Tatiana Latynina de Ordovsky-Tanaevsky, the founder's mother-in-law. The sculpture invites viewers on a transcendent, gender-defying journey—interweaving personal memory with universal themes of creative autonomy, resilience, and reinvention. Claire Ordovsky Tanaevsky, the studio's founder and art director, acted as a patron and honored speaker at the accompanying Accelerate Action event, held in partnership with UNESCO and DIFC. During a high-level panel discussion, she highlighted the power of lifelong learning, cultural immersion, and emotional depth as fundamental pillars of sustainable and ethical design. "To create with integrity, one must listen, travel, and understand the historical and emotional layers of whose place is meant to be built within," she shared. As a design house known for its culturally embedded interiors and architectural storytelling, Claire Dominics Buro's portfolio spans continents — from the Mexican Riviera to the Japan Sea. The studio is celebrated globally for crafting hospitality and residential spaces that fuse refined luxury with emotional resonance. 'Design is not just about how something looks; it's about how it makes you feel,' said Claire. 'We aim to create spaces that foster connection, comfort, and identity — that's the soul of meaningful design.' The event also witnessed a visit from the chairwoman of Dubai Culture, who met with artists and partners, acknowledging the cultural and societal significance of the initiative. Claire Dominics Buro continues to champion art, sustainability, and storytelling in design, reinforcing its mission to shape spaces that speak to the heart of human experience.
Khaleej Times
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
112 female artists from 112 countries to exhibit artwork in Dubai
Their passports span the globe, from Bolivia to Bangladesh, Nigeria to New Zealand. What unites them is art, and this week, their work will share the same space in Dubai. Art Connects Women 2025 opens on April 8 at DIFC Gate Village, bringing together 112 female artists from 112 countries in one of the region's most ambitious exhibitions. Held under the patronage of UNESCO, the four-day event centres on the theme 'Leave a Legacy', placing the spotlight on women's contributions to arts and culture. The exhibition will be open to the public from April 9 to 11, turning DIFC's Gate Village into an outdoor gallery of global perspectives through painting, sculpture, and mixed media. The programme extends beyond the gallery. On April 9, participating artists will take part in a cultural tour of Abu Dhabi, curated by the Department of Culture and Tourism, with visits to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Public Art Biennale, and the Abrahamic Family House. That evening, a concert curated by Alliance Française Dubai will bring together international performers in a musical tribute to women's creativity. On April 10, during DIFC Art Night, the focus shifts to policy, finance, and impact with a conference titled 'From Finance to Sustainable Impact.' The event will explore the role of women in the creative economy through panel discussions covering financial literacy and sustainable investment, art as a tool for social impact, and strategies to accelerate action in the global creative landscape. The exhibition concludes on April 11 with an award ceremony at the One&Only Royal Mirage, honouring the participating artists under the theme 'We Are Legends: Women Leading the Way.' Organised by ZeeArts Gallery in collaboration with DIFC, Art Connects Women is now in its eighth edition and has this year been officially recognised as a social impact initiative by Majra UAE. Founder Zaahirah Muthy described the 2025 edition as a 'transformative moment' for the platform, which continues to align with broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
