Sky Over The East: Ali Al Abdan

Ali Al Abdan in conversation with Sameh Kaawach from Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation in the Sky Over the East exhibition at Emirates Palace. Courtesy of ADMAF.

The Emirati poet and artist Ali Al Abdan gave a talk at The Emirates Palace last week to mark the wonderful exhibition currently on show in the gallery. Sky Over The East, hosted by Sharjah's Barjeel Foundation and Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.

Abdan has one of his paintings from 1989 on display On Al Khan Beach and he was addressing the growth of the UAE's arts movement to the audience.

Here we catch up with him for a Q&A:

Q: How would you describe your style as an artist?

A: My own artistic style follows my need for expression, so my style expresses my purpose. I am also aided by my knowledge of the history of art and its different schools as well as where these techniques came from. In general, my artistic style is based on the fascinating attempt to attract the viewer to the meanings implied in my art work.

Q: What is your greatest source of inspiration?

A: The first inspiration source for me is the desire to achieve visual beauty within the surrounding environment, this is an essential requirement for the artist to achieve some perfection and then balance in this world.

Q: How important is the role of contemporary art as opposed to traditional art in the UAE society?

A: Modern arts were not really understood by most of the society in the past, so the traditional arts were more influential. But we need to be aware that traditional arts are influential because were more easily understood. If we want modern arts to have the same influence on society, we have to explain the aesthetic values proposed by them, and here comes the role of cognitive criticism.

Q: What do you think of the Sky Over The East exhibition?

A: Sky Over The East exhibition is the most important one in the UAE during the recent years, and maybe in the entire region. It showcases a collection made by the contemporary art pioneers in the Arab world and it is a great opportunity to observe their artistic and cultural development. From my point of view, this collection is priceless.

Q: Can you tell us about your specific work?

A: My piece “On Al Khan Beach” represents an important phase from the beginning of the second generation of UAE artists. It is my first oil painting on canvas and I prepared the cloth myself for painting. It was an attempt to harmonise the local thread and the techniques of the impressionism school, so it’s a witness to the art movement history in the UAE.

Q: How do you feel to be included in the exhibition?

A: My participation in this exhibition is a great honour as some of the pieces date back to the early 20th century and are from senior Arab artists. On the other hand, my participation in this exhibition is a great motivation for me to work hard on producing new artistic collections for the future.

Q: Why is it important for audiences to be exposed to this kind of art?

A: It is very important for audiences to interact with this exhibition, as it is an opportunity which may not be repeated. But in my own opinion, cultural and cognitive promotion for such an exhibition is a must, for example, there should be some practical lectures on the existing artworks and lectures on subjects like the sculptural values and chromatography compatibility. I think this would increase interaction with the exhibition.

Q: What do you think we can learn from witnessing the art?

A: This last question is the most important question and the answer could be very long. Briefly however, all arts provide aesthetic values and our mission as artists is to maximise the human feeling of beauty in order to rise above this world’s sufferings – this is the core function of art. Achieving a balance with art in your life is the key. I will conclude with the words of the great Dutch artist Piet Mondrian “Art is only a substitute while the beauty of life is deficient. It will disappear in proportion, as life gains in equilibrium.”