Exhibition at Dubai's Kutubna Centre Highlights Arab Women in Arab Art

CairoScene

16-04-2025

Located in the Nadd Al Hamar district, the independent bookstore and cultural hub will display 35 original works.
Apr 16, 2025
Dubai's Kutubna Cultural Center is launching a new exhibition titled 'Women in Contemporary Arab Art', opening April 26th and running through May 18th, 2025. Located in the Nadd Al Hamar district, the independent bookstore and cultural hub will display 35 original works spanning modern and contemporary movements across the Arab world.
The collection draws from the private archive of International House Group, built over the past 25 years, and features work by seminal artists such as Louay Kayali (Syria), Salah Taher (Egypt), Adham Wanly (Egypt), and Khaled Aljader (Iraq). The artworks explore both public and domestic representations of women, reflecting evolving cultural attitudes and offering insight into gender, identity, and social transformation.
Ranging from classic to experimental styles, the pieces span over a century of artistic expression, shedding light on the ways Arab women have been perceived and portrayed by some of the region's most influential painters.
'The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the role of women in Arab history and how art contributes to our collective memory,' said Shatha Almutawa, founder and director of Kutubna Cultural Center. 'We want to ensure future generations are raised with access to Arab art and are aware of the masters who helped shape it.'
The official opening on April 26th will feature live music and is expected to draw leading figures from the UAE's cultural and creative sectors. Admission is free, and the centre will remain open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM during the exhibition period. Additional community events and public programming will be announced in the coming weeks.
'Women in Contemporary Arab Art' is presented with support from International House Real Estate Project Management and Al Bait Al Duwaliy Real Estate.