Ten artists living in Dubai will come together to showcase their works at Taj Palace Hotel Dubai from 17th to 27th April.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - April 10th, 2013 - Ten artists living in Dubai will come together to showcase their works at Taj Palace Hotel Dubai from 17th to 27th April. Titled Art2Gether, the exhibition includes over 60 contemporary paintings done in varied styles and is supported by Dubai International Art Centre (DIAC). Participating artists include Kamen Bonev, Brigitte Roshay, Harshad Badbe, Daria Avdeeva, Patricia Malek Rizk, Barbara Moerl Weidig, Jennifer Mueller-Barton, Simon Routledge, Richa Singh and Marwa Mohamed Al Suwaidi.

Art2Gether mirrors the urbanity of Dubai, the exaltation of everyday living in this magical and energetic metropolis. Mr. Ahmed Badawy, Owner’s Representative and Director of Finance, Taj Palace Hotel Dubai, said, “I believe art is all around us. It is in everything we do and that is what this group of artists has attempted to portray. They have put together a wonderful collection with some unique compositions and we are truly proud to host this outstanding exhibition at the Taj Palace Hotel Dubai”.

The exhibition is quite impressive in its range and variety. The paintings range from medium to large sizes with figurative and abstract images outweighing other forms. Some of the works are quite intense and dark while others are a blaze of colour. Modernity epitomizes this diversity through the polarities expressed in the paintings focusing on both life in an ultra-modern city and human emotions.

Ayesha Chen McKeever, Chairwoman, DIAC, said, “Art2Gether is a breathtaking spectacle with each piece beautifully welded together. Looking at the paintings one feels a sense of awe that’s often associated with Dubai. The artists have reacted to Dubai as both insiders and outsiders which is what you see on the canvas. The luxurious Taj Palace Hotel Dubai is the perfect location to display these works and we are extremely grateful to the management of the hotel for supporting these immensely talented artists.”

The exhibition will be open to the public all day long from April 11, 2013.
For more information about the hotel visit http://www.tajhotels.com

About the Participating Artists

1.    Kamen Bonev

Kamen Bonev is an internationally acclaimed Bulgarian artist based in Dubai. Born in Varna Bulgaria in 1978, Kamen studied art at College of Art and Design ‘Veselin Stoinanov’ – Ruse, Bulgaria before joining the University of the Fine Arts in Veliko Turnovo. Over the years he has participated in a number of national and international exhibitions and has won numerous recognitions and awards for his outstanding works including top award from ‘Veliko Turnovo by the Patron Dr Rumen Rashev.

2.    Brigitte Roshay

I was born and raised in Mauritius, lived in Paris as a young adult where I met my husband, an American in Paris.  We’ve been living in the U.A.E. for the past 20 years.  I have painted a lot during my childhood and young adult life – one of my paintings was highly commanded by the Royal Academy of Arts, U.K. When I started working, got married and had a child, I stopped painting having so much to do.  But my love for painting was always in the back of my mind and every time I went to a gallery or an art exhibition, I always wished I had painted the paintings that I liked.  My favorite movement was, is and will be Impressionism, though I like many different expressions of art.

A few years ago, my husband, having heard me say again and again that I wanted to paint, offered to me for my birthday an easel, a few canvas, brushes and… that’s how I started to paint again.   I’ve been taking painting classes for more than 5 years at Dubai Interntional Art Center (DIAC).

My subjects?  What I see and like in the U.A.E., a country that fascinates me.  When I am in Mauritius (my native country) or in France (my adopted country), I like painting sceneries, scenes and people.  I also paint Natures Mortes. I love  to express emotions through my paintings.  One of the comments I had from a person who bought one of my paintings is that “they are not only nice to look at, but also show emotions and sensibility”.

One particularity about myself: I am colorblind.  That may be the reason why I like so much colors.

I have exhibited my paintings in the U.A.E. and Mauritius at
     Didus Gallery, Mauritius (2008 to 2012)
     Arte Souk, Time Square, Dubai
     The Ladies Club, Dubai, 2008 & 2012
     Courtyard Gallery, Dubai
     DIAC, Dubai
     Dar Ibn Haytham Gallery, Bastakiya, Dubai
     The Heritage Village, Shindagha, Dubai
-    Shopping festival, January 2012
–    Eid al-Adha, October 2012
–    National Day celebrations, December 2012
     Fazza Disabled International Championships, Dubai February 2012
     Crowne Plaza, May 2012
     Galerie de l’Aube (Mauritius), July 2012
     Artistique Novelty, Green Community, Dubai, March 2013

3.    Harshad Badbe

Harshad Badbe, who hails from Mumbai, India, is an established painter, photographer and advertising art director. Apart from leading a double life as a creator of successful advertising campaigns for world-renowned brands, it is his insightful imagination bared on canvas that brings true joy to his heart.

A graduate in communication art, he has won accolades for his paintings apart from critical acclaim. His work is inspired from his own palette of life, reflecting the length of his unbounded imagination and the depth of his creative personality…in bold strokes and carefully chosen shades.

Just like fine poetry that is best read between the lines, Harshad’s paintings are a blend of visual storytelling and craft…leaping out beyond elegant lines and colours, at a level that connects the heart, mind and soul.
Milestones include:

1)    2011 - BEST PAINTING PRIZE AT DIAC, DUBAI, UAE

2)    2012 - BEST PAINTING AWARD AT DIAC, DUBAI, UAE

Group Exhibitions include:
•    2006 – GROUP EXHIBITION AT INDIAN CONSULATE, DUBAI
•    2010 – ‘CELEBRATING RAMADAN’ AT DIAC
•    2011 - MEMBERS EXHIBITION AT DIAC
•    2012 - MEMBERS EXHIBITION AT DIAC
•    2012 - ‘UAE NATIONAL DAY’ EXHIBITION AT HERITAGE VILLAGE, DUBAI.
•    2013 - GROUP EXHIBITION AT DIAC

4.    Daria Avdeeva

I was born in 1996 in Russian Federation. My parents have always supported my love towards art and music so I received the best education possible. Art was never a part of me, it was and is pretty much my definition. I am currently in my senior year and looking forward to study fine arts in Vienna, Austria next year.

5.    Patricia Malek Rizk

EDUCATION

•    Université Saint Joseph – Beirut, Lebanon
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Class of 1986
•    Studied Oil Painting at Dubai International Art Center                       2006-2011

EXHIBITIONS

•    Participated in several art exhibitions in Gallery 76 in May 2008, November 2009, November 2011, and November 2012.
•    I am part of an art collective named ARTIIGETHER, an international group of ten artists who combine talents and exchange ideas.
•    Exhibited a collection of oil paintings addressing local themes for the Heritage Village in Dubai.  The exhibition ran from January 26th till January 30th 2012 and was held under the patronage of the Department of Tourism, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and Heritage Village. The executive director of Business Tourism in Dubai formally opened the exhibition. It was attended by high-profile figures such as the director of Heritage Village, the President of the American Woman’s Association, and the Bulgarian Ambassador to the UAE.
•    Exhibited work in collaboration with the 4th Fazza Disabled International Championship of Dubai in February 2012.
•    Exhibited work at the Desert Palm Hotel during the 6th Spinney’s Cup in March 2012 and presented equestrian-inspired paintings.
•    My painting was put on display in the Silent Auction of the American Women’s Association of Dubai Annual Gala in the Palm Atlantis on February 17, 2012, which was attended by over five hundred guests. The proceeds from its sale went to charity.
•    Participated in Dubai Art Week 2012 by showing at the exhibition “Dubai Past and Present” in Gallery 76.
•    With my collective, ARTIIGETHER, I exhibited 7 paintings in Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai. The exhibition was held to support children with Autism. A portion of the proceeds went to this cause. The event received significant media attention from outlets such as 7DAYS, Timeout Dubai, Artinthecity, The National, and Dubai Calendar.
•    Exhibited in Heritage Village for “The Eid: Dubai Beauty and Art,” an event planned in conjunction with the Dubai tourism minister. Both al-Bayan and Khaleej Times published articles praising the 15-day event.
•    Displayed six paintings at Funoon Gallery for exhibition entitled “Women of ArtIIgether” throughout the month of November 2012. Artinthecity.com and The National provided publicity for the event.
•    Contributed to December 2012 National Day celebration at Heritage Village through art showcase and live painting show. Staged in tandem with the Dubai International Center, the activities attracted 12,000 people and received acclaim from Al-Bayan and Khaleej Times.
•    Displayed original paintings for the “Sea and the City” exhibition in March  2013, held at Gallery 76 and reviewed in The National and al-Bayan.
•    Forthcoming exhibitions include a showing at the Taj Palace Hotel in April 2013.

AWARDS
•    Awarded blue ribbon for an oil painting at the Gallery 76 exhibition in May 2008.
•    Received an award from the management of Heritage Village, under the patronage of the Government of Dubai and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing for my participation in the January 2012 exhibition, Heritage.
•    Honored with three Certificates of Appreciation from the Government of Dubai, the Department of Tourism and Commerce and Marketing, and Heritage Village for work conducted on “The Eid: Dubai Beauty and Art,” National Day, and Dubai Festival of Shopping exhibitions.

6.    Barbara Moerl Weidig

Born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany. Started painting at the age of 15 with oil paint. Early works concentrated mostly on impressionist works like Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin.

At the age of 24 quit the studies of Art and English at the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University, Frankfurt to become a pilot. This new passion drove me towards 25 years of working for Lufthansa Cityline but also to become the first female airline captain in Germany. During that time I met my husband and we had one child.

Flying took me to many famous cities where I could see Europe’s fines arts. In 2007 I resigned and moved with my husband and son to Dubai. This gave me time to get back to my first passion, painting.

I became a member of the “Dubai International Arts Centre”, to work on my technique under the guidance of a professional fine art painter. I exhibited my works in Germany and in Dubai, at the Art Souk, Dubai Ladies Club and at Women Art in the Court Yard Gallery.

7.    Jennifer Mueller-Barton

An Australian girl on a journey of creativity & self discovery. The smell of oil paint & turpentine are triggers of wonderful childhood memories for me. As a small child I would spend hours watching my mother paint. It was her passion for art that was passed down to me. I have had a paintbrush in my hand as far back as I can remember. For well over 20 years I have been fortunate enough to travel & paint my way around the world.

My wanderlust for Travel and Art have lead me on some amazing journeys, from Nepal, & Bolivia to the Middle East. My artwork is heavily influenced by my travels, culture & religion. I work with mixed media but my choice medium is oil on canvas. Today I find myself living, painting & exhibiting in Dubai, where I am a member of Art2gether, a collaboration of 10 International Artists living & exhibiting in the UAE.

Exhibitions:
•    Royal Melbourne Show, Australia 1986
•    Prime Roast solo exhibition, New Hampshire USA 2007
•    Gallery 76 DIAC Dubai 2011
•    Heritage Village, Dubai 2012
•    Desert Palm, Dubai 2012
•    Crown Plaza Hotel, Dubai 2012
•    Funoon Gallery Dubai Ladies Club, Dubai 2012

8.    Richa Singh

"I work with the Finance Industry and Dubai has been home for me for the past 5 years. Painting started as a hobby almost seven years ago and has grown into a more serious pursuit of self-expression in oil paint and mixed media. I derive my inspirations from my travel and life impressions. I love the warmth and energy of vibrant hues and use
them often in my works.

I am part of a group of painters known as Art2gether and have had the opportunity to Exhibit at Gallery 76, Dubai Heritage Village, Crown Plaza, Desert Palm Hotel for Spinney's Cup and Funoon Gallery at Dubai Ladies Club."

9.    Marwa Mohamed Al Suwaidi

She is one of the most promising Emirati artists and has been closely associated with Dubai International Art Centre.

10.    Simon Routledge

Simon has found Dubai International Art Centre to be a fun and instructive place for his family. A member of DIAC since 2005, Simon has been a regular student of Kamen Bonev's oil painting courses and has exhibited at the annual student's and member's exhibitions held in Gallery 76.

For media contact:

Hina Bakht
Vice President
MPJ (Marketing Pro-Junction)
Mob: 050 697 5146
h.bakht@mpj-pr.com
http://www.mpj-pr.com

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