Putting Middle Eastern Art On the Map: Khawla Art Gallery

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by Sana Bun

Putting Middle Eastern Art On the Map: Khawla Art Gallery

14 Mar 2024

In early 2020 poet, writer, calligrapher, and art critic Her Royal Highness Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al-Suwaidi established Khawla Art & Culture — a foundation aimed at cultivating the interest in Arabic heritage with an emphasis on calligraphy.

Striving to create a local cultural beacon, she built a multidivisional infrastructure that celebrates and tutors Middle Eastern art. Here is how it works.

Art gallery

The core of Khawla, a contemporary art gallery, was opened in 2021 in cooperation with Beirut-raised Saudi art specialist Rayan Imad Hakki, who took over the role of General Manager of the institution. Together they set up a mission: to make the global art scene more accessible and inclusive by presenting Middle Eastern and international creators that draw inspiration from Arabic culture and traditions.

Source: courtesy of Khawla Art Gallery

To help local communities get engaged in shaping their own response to global debates, the gallery represents both established and emerging talents that develop new forms of creative expression. Here, they get help with gaining visibility by participating in exhibitions, art fairs, and other projects so the world can explore the unique perspectives of the Middle East and learn from one another, ushering in an era of peace, prosperity, and tolerance. Currently, the gallery’s portfolio consists of more than 100 artists.

Art Academy and Consultancy

Learning at Khawla Art & Culture is not just a fine word. Through different activities and events, the foundation encourages interactions between creators and art enthusiasts while also sharing its expertise by offering consultancy to collectors and mentorship to artists.

The key point is to enhance access to art, so Khawla Gallery exhibits its showcase online through digital viewing rooms to spectators and buyers across the world and provides free educational opportunities on different styles of traditional Arabic art.

Instagram: @khawlaartgallery

On the official website, you can find lectures, workshops, and courses taught by famous creators. For instance — Islamic ornamentation by Maaida Noor, Arabic calligraphy by Mohammed Mandi, or classical sculpting by Khalil Ebrahim Ali AlMadhoon. Other programs include music, literature, architecture, Arabic language, and regional crafts and techniques.

Artists global database

To keep the information about modern artists systemised, the foundation has created an open databank of calligraphers and ornamenters featuring talents from different countries. It covers their background and achievements, and to become a part of it a creator needs to send a request via the Khawla Art & Culture website.

Source: courtesy of Khawla Art Gallery

Metaverse

Source: courtesy of Khawla Art Gallery

While keen on preserving ancient heritage, Khawla Art & Culture is staying up-to-date and experimenting with the latest digital trends by bringing its exhibitions and online store to the metaverse. The first exposition that can be discovered in this format is "Peace & Love" presenting artworks of Sheikha Khawla.

Location: Dubai Design District, Building 11, Shop 1103

by Sana Bun