Abstract Art Exhibition
Abstract Visions, Infinite Interpretations
May 24 – August 11, 2025
Exhibition curated by: Nora Qudah
Open daily | Free admission
Kutubna Cultural Center, Madina Avenues, Nadd Al Hamar
About the Exhibition
Abstract Art Exhibition brings together over 25 works by 15 artists from 12 different
countries, each currently based in the UAE. The artists explore abstraction as a language of memory, identity, nature, and emotion.
The exhibition invites visitors to discover a diverse array of techniques and visual voices:
from meditative compositions to bold colors and rich textures, every piece expresses a
personal or cultural narrative beyond language.
Featured artists include Miska Mohmmed Abdelmajeed Mohmmed, Ashraf Abdelmonim Mohamed Ibrahim, Ahmed Amine Aitouche (AKA Sneakhotep), Aras Bildik, Lina Al Dabbagh, Salama Almazrouei, Zeena Al-Zubi, Tumpa Banerjee, Hasmik Chakhalyan, Alina O'Dwyer, Aya Qubbaj, Hend Rashed, Haafiza Ajaz Sayed, Irudhayanathan Thangaraj, and Youness Siraj Mounir (AKA Yun K), representing the following countries; Algeria, Armenia, Canada, India, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Russia, Sudan, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.
A special section is dedicated to youth artists, whose creative energy and fresh perspectives reflect the rising interest in abstract expression among the next generation.
Opening Reception
Saturday, May 24 at 6:00 PM
Visitors are invited to explore the exhibition and immerse themselves in a rich and diverse
selection of abstract works.
Exhibition Highlights:
✔️ Free admission
✔️ 27 original abstract artworks
✔️ 15 artists from 12 countries
✔️ A dedicated section for youth voices
Supporters
Abstract Art Exhibition is presented with the support of our sponsors:
R&D Decorative Design – A luxury design studio known for transforming spaces into
elegant, timeless experiences across the UAE.
Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/designbyr.d/#
MUNCHiKiNZ – A Dubai-based snack brand founded by two sisters on a mission to make healthy eating fun for kids, and stress-free for parents!.
Website: https://munchikinz.com/
Artists
Miska Mohmmed (b. 1995, Sudan) is a full-time visual artist based in Sharjah, UAE. Her
practice centers on abstracted landscapes she calls Mindscapes, created using mixed
media and acrylics to evoke memory, emotion, and the natural world. She holds a BFA
in painting from the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Sudan University (2016). Miska has
exhibited internationally, with recent shows at Montague Contemporary (New York,
Cape Town) and OOA Gallery (Barcelona). She has participated in major art fairs,
including Art Madrid and 1-54 New York. Her work is part of notable collections such as
Africa First, Schulting Art Collection, and Arak Collection, and has been featured in
Galerie Magazine, Whitehot Magazine, and Business Daily. She is represented by OOA
Gallery and Montague Contemporary.
Dr. Ashraf Abdelmonim Mohamed Ibrahim (b. 1980, Sudan) is a visual artist and
assistant professor of painting, currently based in Dubai, UAE. With a PhD in painting
from Sudan University of Science and Technology, his academic and artistic career
spans over 18 years, blending research, teaching, and studio practice. His work
explores landscape and mixed media. Dr. Ashraf has exhibited internationally, including
in Egypt, Ethiopia, the Netherlands, Germany, and China. He has also contributed to
numerous workshops, publications, and symposiums.
Ahmed Amine Aitouche, known as Sneakhotep (b. 1990, Algeria), is a Dubai-based
urban artist whose calligraphic and geometric manifestos challenge historical and
social perceptions. He was raised between the rigor of Quranic calligraphy and the raw
energy of hip-hop graffiti, later refining his craft at the School of Fine Arts in Algeria.
Blending ancient symbolism with contemporary street language, Sneak's work appears
across walls, galleries, and festivals, navigating themes of mysticism, urban decay, and
cultural memory. A spontaneous graffiti session during a trip to Dubai led him to settle
in the UAE, where he has since exhibited at Al Quoz, The Foundry, Sikka Art Festival, and
numerous biennales, becoming a vital force in the region’s dynamic art scene.
Lina Al Dabbagh (b. 1998, Iraq) is a dynamic and creative artist and designer working in Dubai. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Sharjah. Lina's true passion lies in the visual arts, where she expresses her love for
aesthetics and poetic beauty. Her art practice translates personal memories, emotions,
and nature into bold abstractions, revealing sensitivity to the environment and
experiences that shape her.
Salama Almazrouei (UAE) is a visual artist based in Abu Dhabi. A graduate of the UAE
University’s College of Fine Arts, she specializes in realistic portraiture and
contemporary mixed media. Her work blends traditional Emirati elements with modern
techniques, often exploring themes of identity, heritage, and femininity. With over 100
exhibitions locally and internationally, Salama continues to contribute to the UAE's
evolving art scene through her innovative approach.
Tumpa Banerjee (b. 1979, India) is an award-winning international contemporary artist
and an art curator based in Dubai. She has exhibited her artworks in museums and
galleries in UNESCO (Greece), Italy, Georgia, Spain, Japan, Nepal, India, Malaysia, Netherlands, Germany, Paris, Armenia, Zurich, and all over the UAE. Tumpa is a
visionary creator who approaches her art with a unique perspective, blending vibrant
colors and textures to create mesmerizing compositions that invite viewers to explore
their own interpretations and emotions. With a masterful command of dripping
technique and different mediums, Tumpa pushes the boundaries of conventional art,
inviting audiences to journey into the world of abstract art and experience it through
emotional appeal.
Hasmik Chakhalyan (b. 1991, Armenia) is a poet and artist based in the United Arab
Emirates. Born and raised in Yerevan, she draws inspiration from the memories of her
homeland, the depths of the human soul, and the lives of women shaped by resilience.
Her artworks are unique in their form and voice, each piece blending color, object, and
story in unexpected ways.
Alina O'Dwyer (b. 1983, Russia) is a contemporary artist celebrated for her vibrant,
eye-catching creations that captivate audiences around the world. Her dynamic
paintings have been showcased in prestigious exhibitions both nationally and
internationally, earning her recognition as a bold and expressive voice in today’s art
scene.
Hend Rashed (UAE) is a Dubai-based abstract artist whose work has been showcased
in numerous exhibitions both locally and internationally. In 2025, she was awarded Best
Emirati Artist at World Art Dubai and was recognized among the five winning artists in the Emerging Scene Art Prize competition. She also secured third place in the National
Bank of Fujairah’s art competition initiative. In addition to her artistic achievements,
Hend served as a Fine Arts Trainer for the Ministry of Education’s Masterpieces & Expo
2020 project in 2021 and has contributed to various government initiatives and led
multiple art workshops, affirming her role as a key figure in the UAE’s cultural
landscape.
Haafiza Sayed (b. 1969, India) experiments with decontextualizing the reality of
landscape into viewpoints of emotions and memory. She focuses on what a place
makes her feel rather than what she observes about it in its obvious state. Her process
is to paint detailed landscapes and then break them down to their bare essentials,
replacing representative aspects with just their core elements and lasting impressions.
Haafiza holds a degree in fine art from Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai. She has her roots
in India, belonging to a family of writers, reformers, and artists. She has been a resident
of the UAE for 17 years.
Irudhayanathan Thangaraj (b. 1986, India) is a visual artist known for his work across
portraiture, still life, and abstract styles. With a bachelor's degree in fine arts (painting)
from Bharathiar Palkalai Koodam and a teacher training course from Pondicherry
University, he blends strong academic roots with expressive creativity. Now based in the
UAE, his art has been showcased in both solo and group exhibitions internationally.
Currently serving as an art teacher at The Indian International School – DSO, Dubai, he
continues to inspire young minds while actively contributing to the contemporary art
scene.
Youness Siraj Mounir, known as Yun (b. 1983, Morocco), has spent the majority of his
adult life in the UK—an experience that has profoundly influenced his artistic outlook.
For Yun, painting is more than a creative outlet; it is a deep exploration of his inner
world. His work is inspired by the richness of life itself, the beauty of nature, meaningful
conversations, personal experiences, the rhythms of music, and the fleeting emotions
of both joy and sorrow.
Youth Artists
Aya Qubbaj (Palestine and Canada) is 11 years old and full of life. She loves to dance,
sing, paint, and perform—anything that lets her express herself. She is a natural
daydreamer with a wild imagination and a big, open heart. Her art is joyful, energetic,
and always a little bit magical. Aya dreams of doing magical things when she grows up,
and she has already started.
Zeena Al Zubi (Jordan) is 10 years old. Full of creativity, she loves to draw and cook,
always finding joy in making things with her hands. Zeena cares deeply about her friends
and enjoys spending time with them. She loves music, and her favorite instrument is the
cello. She also enjoys playing volleyball, building fantasy worlds in Minecraft, reading
comic books, and creating LEGO figures. One of her favorite moments is watching
movies and sharing popcorn with her older sister, whom she cares for the most. Zeena
also loves her cat, Sky, and takes gentle care of her every day.
Aras Bildik (Türkiye) is a 9.5 year old artist with a strong passion for drawing and
painting, which has been evident from an early age. Art holds a significant place in his
life, and he has been attending art classes since the age of six to further develop his
skills. Alongside his artistic journey, Aras is also a keen athlete; he plays basketball and
is part of a competitive swimming squad.