ramadanization

'ramadanization' exhibition invite . 2016

'television of the month' gif . 2016

'ramadanza' wallpaper design . 2016

'ramadanza' wallpaper studio process . 2016

'ramadanza' wallpaper installation in gallery . 2016

'television of the month' final installation . 2016

'television of the month' final installation . 2016

'television of the month' final installation . 2016

'television of the month' final installation . 2016

it's that time of year again! wishing all the krossbreed lovers a ramadan kareem. for the holy month, i've participated in ductac's second edition, and first exhibition of 'ramadanization'.

the 'ramadanization' show features works by artists reflecting on their own significant memories and experiences of ramadan. i've contributed with a piece titled 'television of the month' – a living room style installation which focuses on the act of watching tv during the holy month. to me, ramadan is not only a time of discipline and reflection, but also ironically, the month where excess is most apparent. this can be seen through the endless advertisements and programmes on tv. gathering in front of the television post-iftar is a family tradition that still continues in our household. i loved programmes of the past like comedy sketch shows and fawazeers (musical variety shows) from the arab world. nowadays, theres been a shift with the content on tv. soap operas are depressing, and everything seems to be negative, conflicting, and confusing. through my work, i invite the audience to reflect upon the nature of the media we consume during ramadan, and to consider if any of it is integral to the holy month itself.

the final artwork includes a looped series of illustrations about past and present tv moments i've been exposed to, as well as a patterned wallpaper design, and a sofa to sit on and enjoy the visuals on screen. i hope people who've lived in the region long enough are familiar with what they see and reflect on their experiences around tv viewing during the month of ramadan.

if you haven't made it yet, 'ramadanization' is up until 9 july 2016, at ductac, mall of the emirates. it's a good show which really tackles the meaning of ramadan and represents an honest portrayal of what ramadan means to each exhibiting artist. for more information, check out the online platform of 'ramadanization' here.

they see me rovein'

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

laundromat mural at rove downtown dubai . 2016

i'd like to share a recent commission i worked on for rove hotels downtown dubai, the first of a new hotel chain by emaar properties. my friends and art consultants at capsule arts were responsible for supplying appropriate and cool artworks for rove's unique concept, and i am happy to be one of the selected artists.

i was commissioned to work on a mural for the corridor of the hotel's laundry room, which also includes the male and female prayer rooms. the mural i illustrated shows an urban alley typically found around older areas in dubai, consisting of a traditional laundry shop front, and a couple of traditional patterned doors. details along the mural also include cracks on the walls, windows, plants and street animals to add character. the end result was a digitally printed mural which covers the whole wall. i am really proud of the end result and how it successfully works in the corridor, and compliments the aesthetics and artworks around the rest of the hotel. if you ever stop by rove, do make your way to the mezzanine floor where the laundromat mural is situated.

i end this post with rove downtown dubai's 'cabinet of curiosities', a wall of collected artworks and objects themed around zabeel (the area surrounding the hotel), on the ground floor lobby. my prints are included in this really cool wall, from my 'five times a day' and 'a krossbreed fantasy' print series.

rove downtown dubai's 'cabinet of curiosities' . 2016