Just
before you take the turn towards the Dubai Museum and the temple, you come
across a serene locale amid the bustling streets as if time has stood still and
is watching everything else pass by in fast motion. As you enter the Al Fahidi
Historical neighbourhood you are engulfed by the old world charm of yester era with
stony pathways and wind-towers earlier called Bastakiya while the quiet lanes
intersect, taking you to small cafes, hotels, art galleries, art studios and
vendors of spices, antiques and Persian carpets.
On a warm day, my daughter and I
set out to explore those quiet lanes as if we were doing it for the first time
(we were visiting the place for the fourth time in 3 years). The first stop was
the XVA Gallery. Since the cafe/gallery was just opening, not many people were
around except for the staff and we were left to explore at our will.
This image is altered using 2 images together
We leisurely strolled around,
closely observing the space and finally reached the gallery. Samira Abbassy, an Iranian artist, was on a
solo display, “Redemptive Narratives and Migrating Patterns”, in the gallery.
“Redemptive Narratives and Migrating Patterns” - Samira Abbassy
Samira Abbassy’s work has a
distinct flavour even when it reminded me of Frida Kahlo. The self-portrayal, the
braided hair, the serpent, the knots and all the elements speak of the shackles
of probably not just her but of all women; the womanhood, their trials and
tribulations – social, political and emotional, while overcoming it through
contemplation and reflection. One could see the evident influence of Persian as
well as Indian mythology.
In the artist’s own words:
“This selection of works consists of works on
paper and oil paintings on gesso panel. They are worked, reworked and
occasionally destroyed.
These
works take on questions and ideas of how to reveal the figure as a
psycho/emotional being, and how to depict "a state of being" rather than
making objective portraits of the figure.
My work can be described as autobiographical,
and perhaps even confessional. I make appearances as various avatars evoking
archetypes from various traditions; Greek myths, Old Testament stories, Hindu
deities and Muslim folklore.
The titles offer clues to their source of
intellectual, cultural, mental and emotional dilemmas, with which we all
struggle. By excavating the art of cultures that were considered to be outside
the “Western Canon” (Indian, Persian, Tibetan, Hindu/ Muslim/ Buddhist etc.), I
concoct fictional or mythological histories.
The
canvas becomes a place of self-examination; “a mirror of inclusion”, a place to
contextualize the Self and establish an identity. The central figure appears as
an archetype rather than a literal attempt at self-portraiture, as if
attempting to depict myself from the inside out, starting with how it feels to
be me, or rather, how it feels to be human.
By fusing together disparate languages,
conventions and myths, I’m seeking an iconography of hybridism, where their
underlying common threads can be found. My work attempts to transcend cultural
boundaries by proving the porous nature of cultural influence through
migration, both historically and currently.”
-Samira
Abbassy, January 2017
About XVA
XVA
Gallery opened in 2003 by Mona Hauser. Mona Hauser is an art major who is
innately artistic and has creatively put everything together reconfiguring one
of the ruined houses with the permission of HH Sheikh Mohammed. Now she has four
houses under XVA with 13 guest rooms designed by local artists. She has
carefully chosen what goes best with what while renovating the space selecting
apt colours that suits best with a neutral background since it is a historical
neighbourhood. The house that she chose were originally built by the Siddiqui
family and it took four years for the Dubai Architectural Heritage Department
to refurbish it.
Mona Hauser
The neighbourhood opened in 2001
which makes is relatively new. The gallery leads the contemporary, conceptual
and middle-eastern based artwork and they were one of the first in Dubai. They
are also a boutique hotel with a vegetarian café catering to a niche group also
because of the location as it is one of the major tourist attractions.
Vision of XVA
XVA stands for position, velocity
and acceleration which is quite apt for the booming art scene in the
Middle-East particularly Dubai.
The gallery mainly likes to have artworks about
the sub-continent and the Middle-East. It primarily aims at promoting artists
from the same region. The selection of artworks depends on the owner and gallery
director which is sometimes subjective and quite interesting.
XVA does offer artists’
residencies to their in-house artists’ who come and exchange their art work.
They could stay, work, enjoy the space, be inspired and create a body of works.
Some names include Alikhaan Abdollahi, Mohsen Ahmedvand, Imran Channa, Simeen
Farhat, Mahmoud Hamadani, Farouk Lambaz, Hussein Al-Mohasen, Saba Masoumian,
Akim Monet, Jakob Roepke, Wissam Shawkat, Katia Al Tal, Barbara Wildenboer,
Morteza Zahedi and others.
They used to be based in DIFC as
well for a short period and used to exhibit in other galleries too but it all depends
on the timing of their events. They do look forward to collaborations with galleries
and other artists as well. They have been part of Sikka Art Fair, Design Dubai,
Art Dubai and several others in the region. They are eclectic in choosing which
art fairs they like.
As told to me by Banna who works in XVA gallery and was extremely enthusiastic in sharing the details.
image of Mona Hauser from Gareth Rees. Rest my own.
Referred XVA gallery website for some additional information on the artists.