Experiencing World Art Dubai 2019

Seeing bill boards of World Art Dubai 2019 across flyover bridges or underpasses as one travels across the city evokes one’s curiosity and indicates that something interesting is brewing. A ‘must see’ event. A definite item on the ‘to do’ list of everybody in Dubai especially those who love to see art. The pink coloured lettering imprints itself in the mind of the viewer making it impossible to forget!

Step outside of the Redline Metro Station at World Trade Centre and it is impossible to miss the Sheikh Saeed halls 2 & 3 where the art fair is being held! The hoarding outside in deep teal coloured background with World Art Dubai April 3 to 6 2019 encased in pink alongside pictures of some of the artwork is eye catching and inviting.

The event in its 5th year hosted a large collection of more than 3000 artworks from galleries and solo artists from over 30 countries. The World Art Dubai, a large scale art retail fair, provided an unique mix of paintings, sculptures, installations and wearable art for sale. The event also had entertainment and educative sessions.

For me, as may be true for many Indians, Dubai feels like home. It is not too far away and yet it is another country! Everything about Dubai sounds familiar - the monumental buildings, the malls and the names of the places.

For an Indian artist, it is a relatively easy first step to the world stage. The pleasure of sharing display space with artists from around the globe and the opportunity to see what some of the fine contemporary artists have expressed using visual mediums and how, is one not to be missed. A chance to see beautifully created originals and ponder on the thought behind it is inspiring. It can be intimidating as well, but that should only spur every participating artist to do better and to do more.

I feel privileged that I could participate in World Art Dubai 2019. It was heartening to see paintings of all genres - Abstracts, Semi-Abstracts, Realistic to Hyper-Realistic in mediums ranging from Pencil and Charcoal to Oil, Acrylic and Resin. It just goes to show that there are takers for all forms of art - the beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder! All an artist needs to do is follow her / his heart!

The networking with other artists, galleries and meeting people from different backgrounds and learning from their experiences was priceless!

‘Art Talks’ by the experts, be it photography and the techniques of post processing, the principles of buying and collecting art or even basic guidelines for artists to build their CV and exhibiting experience were interesting and educative sessions. Music and dance added gaiety to the air.

The participating artists and visitors would have experienced these joyful moments! Having been one such artist, I would vouch for the sense of satisfaction it brings! Splashes of colour and stimulating visuals are the joyful memories that an artist carries home.

[Shobitha Hariharan was a participating artist at World Art Dubai 2019 and has officially covered the event for Colour Canvas]

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Published in Colour Canvas issue of May 2019