Shilpi Dabral's art is both celebration of life and reflection of its many hues
During initial days, her orientation was towards pencil sketches and pastels on paper. Later, she came across acrylics, which, to her, looked very vibrant, colourful and easy to use for a beginner. It became her preferred medium.
She went on to take part in World Art Dubai 2023 where her work won appreciation. Her artworks soon travelled overseas and during her first international art exhibition in Georgia, she came across the impasto style of art. It clicked with her, stirring strong emotions. Her first solo in Dubai took place at Radisson Red in 2024 and she participated in The Beauty of UAE in ART exhibition, Dubai, 2024.
Traditional and contemporary UAE.
Her works were well received at the TESLAM show, which celebrated the UAE National Day in Ajman in 2023. She also took part in the Art Limitless exhibition celebrating the 52nd National Day of UAE and was involved in Be the Change sustainable art exhibition, supporting COP28 UAE, in 2023. She won the 3rd place in the Golden Time Talent (UK) in the painting category in 2023, and was given the Honorable Mention Award by Museum of The Americas in the Small is Beautiful #6 themed exhibition in 2023 in Dubai. Shilpi Dabral speaks to Gulf Today about her art
There is both a playful and a serious aspect to your paintings. Can you comment?
My paintings balance playfulness and depth, reflecting life's contrasts. The vibrant colours and geometric forms create an energetic, dynamic feel, evoking curiosity and joy. Yet, beneath this lively surface lies a deeper narrative — stories of unity, nature's resilience, and human connections. I blend structure with spontaneity, allowing emotions to flow through precise, yet expressive compositions. This duality invites viewers to engage on multiple levels, enjoying the visual rhythm while contemplating the underlying messages. So, my art is both a celebration and a reflection, encouraging thought and emotion in equal measure.
Feeling Liberated in swirling colour.
Why do you like deep colours?
I am drawn to deep colours for their intensity, emotions and depth. They create a strong visual impact, adding richness and contrast. These bold hues enhance the play of light and shadow, bringing energy and warmth to my compositions. Deep colours make my art more immersive, evoking powerful emotions.
What are the subjects that inspire you as an artist?
I find inspiration in nature, human emotions, and life's interconnectedness. Women and Mother Earth, their resilience and selflessness are central to my work, symbolising nurturing, strength, and balance. I am drawn to human relationships, unity, and cultural diversity, reflecting how we coexist despite differences. Spirituality and nature's mysteries also influence my geometric compositions.
Work called Fluttering Innocence.
Who are the artists you look up to as models?
I admire legendary artists like Georges Braque for his pioneering work in Cubism, Kazimir Malevich for his influential work in the development of Abstract art, and Piet Mondrian for his mastery of geometric harmony. Their innovative approaches to form and composition inspire my artistic journey, influencing my exploration of abstraction and structured expression.
How have art courses helped you?
Art courses have enhanced my understanding of composition and symmetry, allowing me to create balanced yet dynamic artworks. I also learned the art of 'cooking up colours', blending hues to make them more vibrant and expressive. These courses encouraged experimentation, pushing me to explore new techniques and textures.
The Sailing Symphony in deep colour.
What are the qualities needed to take workshops for aspiring artists?
Taking art workshops is not just about teaching skills but creating a supportive, judgment-free space where every artist feels valued. Encouraging aspiring artists at every step builds their confidence. A flexible, patient, and open-minded approach helps artists explore art without fear. When artists feel safe to experiment, they grow naturally. So, a great workshop isn't just about techniques — it's about inspiring artists to trust their unique journeys.
You have done work for charity through art. How has it affected you as an artist?
Creating art for charity has been a deeply fulfilling experience, adding purpose to my artistic journey. It has reinforced my belief that art is more than just self-expression — it has the power to heal, connect, and make a difference. Contributing to meaningful causes has given my work a deeper emotional value, inspiring me to create with more intent. It has also strengthened my connection with people, as art becomes a bridge between emotions and impact. Knowing that my creativity can bring joy, awareness, and support to others, has been both humbling and motivational as an artist.
Shilpi Dabral before her artwork.
Who are the people who have helped you grow as an artist?
My growth as an artist has been shaped by my family's unwavering support, my mentor's guidance, and the encouragement of my close friends. The artist community has inspired me through shared experiences, while curators and organisers have provided platforms to showcase my work. My art buyers and admirers have motivated me to produce more work, through their appreciation. Each of them has played a vital role in my journey, helping me evolve and grow.
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Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Gulf Today
Shilpi Dabral's art is both celebration of life and reflection of its many hues
Relocated to India and till recently based in Dubai, Shilpi Dabral is an artist whose work is driven by the beauty of nature, the power of emotions, depths of spirituality, and the magic of child-like playfulness. A chance visit to World Art Dubai 2022, where she interacted with some of the best artists and their art from around the world, made her realise that her calling was in art. During initial days, her orientation was towards pencil sketches and pastels on paper. Later, she came across acrylics, which, to her, looked very vibrant, colourful and easy to use for a beginner. It became her preferred medium. She went on to take part in World Art Dubai 2023 where her work won appreciation. Her artworks soon travelled overseas and during her first international art exhibition in Georgia, she came across the impasto style of art. It clicked with her, stirring strong emotions. Her first solo in Dubai took place at Radisson Red in 2024 and she participated in The Beauty of UAE in ART exhibition, Dubai, 2024. Traditional and contemporary UAE. Her works were well received at the TESLAM show, which celebrated the UAE National Day in Ajman in 2023. She also took part in the Art Limitless exhibition celebrating the 52nd National Day of UAE and was involved in Be the Change sustainable art exhibition, supporting COP28 UAE, in 2023. She won the 3rd place in the Golden Time Talent (UK) in the painting category in 2023, and was given the Honorable Mention Award by Museum of The Americas in the Small is Beautiful #6 themed exhibition in 2023 in Dubai. Shilpi Dabral speaks to Gulf Today about her art There is both a playful and a serious aspect to your paintings. Can you comment? My paintings balance playfulness and depth, reflecting life's contrasts. The vibrant colours and geometric forms create an energetic, dynamic feel, evoking curiosity and joy. Yet, beneath this lively surface lies a deeper narrative — stories of unity, nature's resilience, and human connections. I blend structure with spontaneity, allowing emotions to flow through precise, yet expressive compositions. This duality invites viewers to engage on multiple levels, enjoying the visual rhythm while contemplating the underlying messages. So, my art is both a celebration and a reflection, encouraging thought and emotion in equal measure. Feeling Liberated in swirling colour. Why do you like deep colours? I am drawn to deep colours for their intensity, emotions and depth. They create a strong visual impact, adding richness and contrast. These bold hues enhance the play of light and shadow, bringing energy and warmth to my compositions. Deep colours make my art more immersive, evoking powerful emotions. What are the subjects that inspire you as an artist? I find inspiration in nature, human emotions, and life's interconnectedness. Women and Mother Earth, their resilience and selflessness are central to my work, symbolising nurturing, strength, and balance. I am drawn to human relationships, unity, and cultural diversity, reflecting how we coexist despite differences. Spirituality and nature's mysteries also influence my geometric compositions. Work called Fluttering Innocence. Who are the artists you look up to as models? I admire legendary artists like Georges Braque for his pioneering work in Cubism, Kazimir Malevich for his influential work in the development of Abstract art, and Piet Mondrian for his mastery of geometric harmony. Their innovative approaches to form and composition inspire my artistic journey, influencing my exploration of abstraction and structured expression. How have art courses helped you? Art courses have enhanced my understanding of composition and symmetry, allowing me to create balanced yet dynamic artworks. I also learned the art of 'cooking up colours', blending hues to make them more vibrant and expressive. These courses encouraged experimentation, pushing me to explore new techniques and textures. The Sailing Symphony in deep colour. What are the qualities needed to take workshops for aspiring artists? Taking art workshops is not just about teaching skills but creating a supportive, judgment-free space where every artist feels valued. Encouraging aspiring artists at every step builds their confidence. A flexible, patient, and open-minded approach helps artists explore art without fear. When artists feel safe to experiment, they grow naturally. So, a great workshop isn't just about techniques — it's about inspiring artists to trust their unique journeys. You have done work for charity through art. How has it affected you as an artist? Creating art for charity has been a deeply fulfilling experience, adding purpose to my artistic journey. It has reinforced my belief that art is more than just self-expression — it has the power to heal, connect, and make a difference. Contributing to meaningful causes has given my work a deeper emotional value, inspiring me to create with more intent. It has also strengthened my connection with people, as art becomes a bridge between emotions and impact. Knowing that my creativity can bring joy, awareness, and support to others, has been both humbling and motivational as an artist. Shilpi Dabral before her artwork. Who are the people who have helped you grow as an artist? My growth as an artist has been shaped by my family's unwavering support, my mentor's guidance, and the encouragement of my close friends. The artist community has inspired me through shared experiences, while curators and organisers have provided platforms to showcase my work. My art buyers and admirers have motivated me to produce more work, through their appreciation. Each of them has played a vital role in my journey, helping me evolve and grow.
Gulf Today
6 days ago
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Erum Durrani's art lives between two worlds but has one identity
Erum Durrani is a visual designer working in art and design since 2009. Hailing from Pakistan and based in Abu Dhabi, by day, she's a digital designer — juggling graphic and web projects using Adobe Creative Suite, crafting seamless UX flows in Figma, and also experimenting with Generative AI. But when she's off the 9 to 5 clock, you'll find her sketching vibrant digital illustrations or getting hands-on with oil, acrylic, and watercolour — always chasing the next spark of inspiration. From pixels to paint, she says, her creative journey has always been about storytelling. As a digital artist, concept designer and visual storyteller, she has spent years crafting immersive narratives — whether through carefully designed branding elements, attractive marketing visuals, or conceptual artworks that explore new perspectives. Erum Durrani speaks to Gulf Today Has it been easy for you to work both in the commercial and aesthetic sides of art? Embracing both the commercial and aesthetic sides of art has been one of my richest creative challenges. At first glance, they may feel like opposite ends of a spectrum — one driven by client goals and timelines, and the other by personal exploration and emotional release. But I've found they actually fuel and balance each other beautifully. In my commercial work, I partner closely with clients to understand their brand values, audience needs, and project objectives. The Coast of Cyprus, as Erum Durrani saw it. On the other hand, outside of client briefs, my studio practice is an unrestricted playground. There I let intuition guide me, experimenting with colour, form and narrative, just for the joy of creating. Moving between these worlds keeps my vision fresh. Techniques I discover in personal work often spark innovative concepts I pitch to clients, while the structure of professional assignments ensures my creative experiments stay grounded and goal-oriented. 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It taught me that design doesn't have to play it safe — there's room for flair and storytelling even in the simplest shapes and letters. A few years later, as I dove into concept art, Feng Zhu became my go-to inspiration. His environment designs are insanely detailed and immersive, like you could step right into his worlds. Composition titled Shades That Define Us. Watching him break down projects made me rethink how I approach space and atmosphere in my own work, whether I'm sketching a futuristic cityscape or imagining a lush forest scene. When I shifted from screens to canvas, Igor Saharov's fearless painting style really resonated. His pieces feel alive — textures pop, colours glow, and everything looks almost three-dimensional. Seeing that level of confidence on canvas encouraged me to take more risks. Together, these three artists have shaped how I see form, colour and narrative in everything I create. What are the challenges you have faced as an artist? 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In Pakistan, art often blooms out of grassroots energy — street murals, miniature painting traditions, calligraphy and the riotous colours of truck art that spill into public life without waiting for white-walled galleries. Local craftspeople and self-taught painters keep long-standing motifs alive, even when formal funding or institutional support is scarce. By contrast, the Emirates has built an art ecology that's institution-forward and globally connected. Erum Durrani is based in Abu Dhabi. You'll find flagship museums like Louvre Abu Dhabi, annual fairs such as Art Dubai and government-backed foundations curating major shows. Galleries in Alserkal Avenue and across Dubai Design District bring international stars next to emerging local talents. There's a professional infrastructure — grants, residencies, art-fair circuits — that fuels ambitious projects and large-scale public installations. Despite these contrasts, both worlds celebrate pattern, ritual and hospitality. 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