Ara Gallery in Burj Plaza, Downtown Dubai, has announced the five finalists of its Art At The Top competition, a search for an artist to display their work in At The Top on the pinnacle floor of the Burj Khalifa.
Hamad Al Falasi, Hamdan Buti Al Shamisi, Nashwa Zakariya, Nasir Nasrallah and Zeinab Alhashemi have all got to the final round after submitting their portfolios in an open call announced on June 18.
Each of the finalists now has until September 6 to create an artwork on the theme "What does Burj Khalifa mean to you?" and respond to the world's tallest building with a personal and reflective touch.
"We've left the criteria for submission open to any medium, although the five finalists are creating either two-dimensional or three-dimensional work," says Laurel Munshower, the assistant manager at Ara Gallery. "We were looking for strong portfolios in the finalists and artists that have been dedicated to creating quality work in the past."
Both Nasir Nasrallah and Zeinab Alhashemi took part in the A.i.R Dubai residency scheme during the Sikka Art Fair in Bastakiya this year, and the work of these two Emirati artists is strikingly experimental. Hamad Al Falasi, a photographer, took first prize in the Spaces of Light competition held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in April.
Art At The Top was open to Emiratis only, and Ara Gallery is known for supporting local artists.
Visit www.thearagallery.com for more information.
