ATARAXIA is a collective exhibition centered around visual storytelling. How does the work we create reflect deeper, underlying narratives? For centuries, art has been used as a means of visual storytelling, and through these stories we can better understand ourselves and the world around us. In this exhibition, we are showcasing work that draws upon memory and storytelling to visually communicate the personal experiences of each artist through MIND & SOUL.
ATARAXIA is an exploration of being, from outer to inner, mental to physical and all the varied combinations in between. This collective exhibition is dedicated to the exhibition of 9 Women artists, sharing a theme, an artistic movement or belonging to a specific cultural cross-section. The project is conceived and curated by Jesno Jackson, with the collaboration of Picasso Gallery.
This exhibition explores the theme of new beginnings and their implications through Mind & Soul. Art and cultural activity are not just consumer goods; they are a way of life for us. Showing works across many mediums, disciplines and experiences. This exhibition is distinguished by the participation of Marina Zotova (Russia), Babita Shamji (Canada), Nagla Mahdi (Egypt), Merly Mathews (India), Namira Basit (Pakistan), Meeran Nasir (Pakistan), Kharen Tacmo (Philippines), Yuliya solomennaya (Belarus), and Ayesha Yousef (Pakistan).
The collection includes a selection of paintings, digital art, mixed media, some of which were produced specifically for the exhibition or are featured here for the first time.
Exhibition was Inaugurated by H.E Laila Rahhall El Atfani – President & CEO of Business Gate Dubai, Founder of Women Business Circle, Goodwill Ambassador, The Royal House of Sheba Crown Senator, In the presence of Mr. Mohamed Al Banna- Serial Entrepreneur, Advisor, Mentor, Founder and Group CEO of Lead Ventures, His Excellency Mr. AbdulAziz Ahmad – CEO and Founder – Safeer Corporate Services Provider, UAE Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club, His Excellency Mr. Yaqoob Al Ali- Executive Director & Private Advisor – Office of H.H Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Mr. Ersin Faikzade, Roa Al Madani, Essa Ustadi, Dr. Edyta Skibinska.
Mr. Abdulqader Al Rais, one of the most celebrated personality and No.1 Pioneer Emirati Contemporary Artist in UAE art scene and Mr. Khalil Abdulwahid – Director of Visual Arts, Dubai Culture & Visual Artist, and many more personalities have visited the exhibition and supported the artists with art guided tour throughout the show.
Exhibition officially opened on 25th April and runs until May 2, 2023.
Venue – Picasso Gallery Dubai, B21, Beside Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai.
Organised by Art4you & Picasso Gallery
Curated by Jesno Jackson
NOTE FROM THE CURATOR:
The power and appeal of art, in my view, is its capacity to usher viewers into any number of worlds—to tell stories that aren’t but might well be our own. It’s an oft-trumpeted notion but there really is something universal about the best works of art, in the sense that it serves as a platform for shared cultures, shared fantasies.
The pieces I’ve chosen for ATARAXIA immerse us as some of the best narratives do, in the midst of things. We enter with a kind of jolt and what we witness has something timeless about it. Like flipping to a page somewhere in the middle of a novel and beginning to read, we might not know what’s going on but we gladly read on.
It was incredibly difficult to choose just 9 artists from many applications received. In making my selections, I visited all of your websites and Instagram pages and read all of your statements. In the end, the works selected were those that best aligned with the show and with each other as a cohesive grouping with a series of artworks in personal theme and style.
My hope, then, is that these remarkable pieces allow you to see your place not only within individual stories but within a collection of interwoven narratives with MIND & SOUL—petals taped to a wall, a golden craft of red scene, a sea of floral, a stain in textile space, a collection of landscape abstractions, a craft of mosaics, the strokes of digital illustrations, a collection of women woven in nature and so many more striking visual tales to tell.
— Jesno Jackson – Art4you Gallery
About Curator: Jesno is an Independent Art Curator, who currently focuses on creative strategies for the content division of Art4you Gallery. Her career has taken her from the Artist and Art Educator to the Art Curator. In her nearly decade-long tenure as the Art Curator, she organized exhibitions on a range of subjects. She has authored & contributed to publications for the Art Magazines, also her personal blogs on social media. He has conceptualised and initiated many art activities. For Art4you Gallery, Jesno takes great effort to design a sophisticated and modern digital and physical aesthetic.
About Art4you Gallery: Art4you Gallery is a multicultural platform with a mission of connecting artists, to promote the exchange of art between UAE and other countries to create, nurture and stipulate community-based art projects. We are committed to engage, encourage, promote and collaborate. Our mission is to support artists by providing a creative environment for them to reside, develop, perform, and exhibit. Art4you Gallery inspires artists and provides connection to the community for shared benefits for creatives.
Our platform showcases promising talent and offers value buys to collectors. We are proud to be providing many talented artists alongside some of the most well-known and established names. This will be an ongoing practice which will only grow with time; and hopefully create many new stars on the art horizon. Producing coveted works that find a place in contemporary collections. www.art4yougallery.com
