abu Dhabi, UAE – Artist Mira Al-Qasim‘s latest exhibition explores themes of memory, absence, adn the enduring power of the past through a series of portraits characterized by a deliberate lack of defined shadows. The works, currently on display, have drawn comparisons too the emotionally resonant style of Amedeo Modigliani.
The exhibition showcases Al-Qasim’s unique approach, where the absence of shadows isn’t a technical oversight, but a conscious artistic choice representing distance from the subject and the fading of memories. Critics, including Dr. Omar Abdel Aziz, note the paintings evoke a sense of both joy and melancholy, hinting at the complexities of human experience and the passage of time.
Alongside the portraits,Al-Qasim incorporates depictions of vases and utensils,demonstrating a mastery of visual formation influenced by photographic lighting and the aesthetics of the desert landscape. The artist intentionally avoids explicit explanation of her work,preferring to allow viewers to interpret the pieces based on their own cultural and visual understanding.
Al-Qasim’s background is multifaceted; she is a practicing journalist,a published poet in both Nabati and eloquent Arabic,and a lyricist for Emirati singers. She is also a member of the Emirates Writers and Writers Union and has exhibited her work in previous plastic art shows. The exhibition reflects a convergence of her diverse artistic pursuits - formation, poetry, and journalism – into a celebration of heritage and remembrance.