UAE CODE

Fatema Al Mazrouie

20 September 2024- 20 December 2024

Iyad Qanazea Gallery proudly presents UAE CODE, a solo exhibition by renowned Emirati artist Fatema Al Mazrouie. This exhibition showcases Fatema Al Mazrouei’s powerful exploration of identity, culture, and tradition reimagined through a modern lens. Al Mazrouei delves deep into the codes that shape the UAE’s collective memory and history, weaving together the symbolic languages of nationhood, history, and icons.

Focusing on a series she has created since 2010, the exhibition examines the unification of the United Arab Emirates through the roles and representations of its leaders.In this figurative narrative, the leaders emerge as celebratory icons of a story marked by modernity and prosperity. Through her signature collage style, Al Mazrouei combines vibrant colors, abstract forms, and intricate textile elements, such as Talli, which represent heritage. These dynamic works reflect the complexities, endurance, and celebrations of Emirati culture. Each piece highlights rich narratives from the past while engaging in contemporary dialogues on identity and representation in a rapidly changing society. Ultimately, the artist’s choice of pop style and vibrant color palette enhances this exploration.

Having actively painted for two decades, Fatema has produced numerous series of paintings and collages that examine womanhood and nationhood, particularly focusing on the UAE’s visual codes of society, heritage, and leadership. In other painting series she has questioned the evolving roles of women in the UAE and beyond, celebrating their strength, resilience, and grace. As one of the UAE’s leading voices in visual art, Fatema Al Mazrouei challenges and redefines the visual codes of her heritage, offering a bold and compelling artistic journey. Her work invites viewers to reconsider the boundaries of tradition and modernity, fostering a deeper understanding of the rich cultural tapestry of the UAE.

Born and based in Abu Dhabi, Fatema Al Mazrouei graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Visual Art and Design from Zayed University in 2008. In addition to her exhibitions in the UAE, her work has been showcased at the Art Foundation in Paris, where she was selected as one of 50 representative Emirati artists. She has also been chosen by the Lespen Art Foundation for one of the world’s most prestigious artist residency programs.