Latest news with #Art4YouGallery
Gulf Today
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Art4You takes creative pledge for planet with eco-conscious event
Art4You Gallery presented (June 6), a sustainability-driven event honouring World Environment Day 2025 (June 5) titled Save Our Environment - A Visual Exploration of Humanity's Connection with Nature. Taking place at Mehromah Art House, the gathering of creatives aimed to unite artistic expression with ecological consciousness. The event was held under the curatorial direction of Jesno Jackson, supported by Rengi Cherian. 'It is a statement, a call to action, and a celebration of the Earth through the eyes and hands of artists,' they said. 'With a strong focus on sustainable materials, eco-friendly practices, and community collaboration, we aim to bridge the gap between creativity and conservation.' An innovative highlight was the Eco-Friendly Live Art segment, where artists painted on custom-designed, cactus-shaped, wooden panels. The boards were symbolic representations of the UAE's resilient desert ecosystem, where life thrives against odds. Artists share space and works. 'The cactus, a hardy and resourceful plant, mirrors the strength of Nature and stands as a metaphor for sustainability and adaptation,' said Jesno. 'Artists are being encouraged to interpret its symbolism by drawing inspiration from renowned and legendary nature-centric painters like Georgia O'Keeffe, Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, George Seurat, Thomas Cole, Gustave Klimt, Henri Rousseau, Winslow Homer and Vincent van Gogh, while using non-toxic, earth-friendly art supplies and wooden materials.' The initiative, while promoting sustainable art practices, challenged creators to consider the environmental impact of even their tools and mediums. The choice of wood, sourced responsibly and shaped strikingly, was a conscious effort to minimise waste and highlight how even the act of creating, could support conservation. 26 talented artists painted live, bringing the themes of sustainability and Nature to life, through their brushes. Each artist contributed their individual perspective and style, transforming eco-friendly materials into vibrant visual stories. Sarri Tolarba's artwork. The live art segment featured contributions from Maria Aamer, Bhumika Maniyar, Asma Syed, Parvin Fathi, Maria Komal Abie, Parisa Keramati, Sophie Bekmurzaeva, Mozhgan Afrisham, Mehboobeh Shanavas, Sofiia Babina, Shakiba Rabiei, Alzbeta Znamenska, Elyazia Aljassmi, Hanieh Hoseini, Roya Vahidi, Jaimee Felysse Reyes, Jesno Jackson, Chitra Sidhakaran, Shelina Khimji, Noreen Wahab, Thomas Antony, Viktorija Zujeva, Zara Bekmurzaeva, Sarri Tolarba, Ariella Livshits and Lama Lahham. They strove to echo the core message of the occasion and to reconnect with Nature and champion sustainability through art. Running parallel was the serene Nature Jewel water colour session. Here, selected artists used water colour, a medium praised for its low environmental footprint, to portray the fragile and vibrant beauty of what is perhaps Nature's Jewel – the pomegranate. Water, as both element and inspiration, became the bridge between artist and subject. The session opened doors for a deep dive into the natural world's interconnectedness, underscoring the urgency of preserving what we often take for granted in our daily lives. Jesno, who is also Art4You's co-founder and an artist who combines art, education and environmental advocacy, said that 'this event was a way to give back to the Earth through the very process of creating. We are not just showcasing art; we are showcasing responsibility, connection, and purpose.' She believes that creativity has the power to shape values, influence attitudes, and create ripple effects across communities. From sourcing sustainable display materials to partnering with local eco-conscious collaborators, Jesno and the Art4You team curated each element and input with the environment in mind. The event also supported green partnerships, educational outreach and encouraged dialogue on climate awareness, through visual storytelling. Jesno Jackson at work. The significance of the event was further amplified by the presence of supportive media partners – The Sustainable Times, DXB News Network, GCC News, DXB24LIVE, CBH Times, She The Leader, Middle East Bulletin and also Art4You Magazine, who helped to reach the message of sustainability and creativity to a wider audience through thoughtful coverage and real-time storytelling. The event was also graced by the presence of VIP guests and dignitaries - Claudia Pinto, Bhumika Maniyar, Peter Farrington, Anna Koterla & Lumeya ESG Solutions and Chandra Goyal, whose support reinforced the cultural and environmental value of the initiative. As a meaningful gesture aligned with the event's eco-conscious vision, The Green Revolution joined as the official Sustainability Partner, supporting the initiative by gifting potted plants to the participants and guests. The 'green gesture' not only symbolised growth, renewal and built a personal connection to Nature, but also strengthened the importance of incorporating sustainable practices into everyday life. Their contributions added a live element to the celebration, since it allowed everyone take home a piece of Nature, reminding them of their role in protecting the planet. The engagement and encouragement inspired both artists and attendees, highlighting the vital role of collective leadership in promoting art with purpose. Parvin Fathi with her artwork. 'In a world grappling with environmental challenges, art is emerging as a powerful voice in the call for change,' Renji Cherian said. 'With such initiatives, Art4You Gallery reinforces its ongoing commitment to environmental awareness and cultural sustainability. Save Our Environment is a creative ecosystem, where art becomes advocacy, and artists become ambassadors of change. As we celebrate World Environment Day, Art4You invites everyone to reflect, respect and reimagine our environment, because saving the Earth starts with how we see it, speak of it, and paint it.' An AI Overview says that 'environmental art, also known as eco-art, uses artistic practices to address environmental issues and promote sustainability. It encompasses a wide range of approaches, including raising awareness about climate change, encouraging conservation, and promoting dialogue about our relationship with nature. Eco-art often utilises natural or sustainable materials.'
Gulf Today
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Art4You Gallery shows green light to red colour in illuminating show
'Seeing RED', curated by Jesno Jackson, co-founder of Art4You Gallery, was an exhibition held recently at Mehromah Art Gallery, Dubai. It celebrated the colour red, featuring 45 artworks by 30 multi-national artists, who explored themes of emotion, culture and identity, through various mediums. Guests included Yaqoob Al Ali, Dr. Najat Makki, Ahmed Al Mahmoud, Khulood Al Jabri, and other notable figures from the UAE's art and cultural landscape. The week-long exploration of the emotional, cultural and symbolic power of the colour red – one of the most intense shades in the visual language of art – showcased a tapestry of interpretations in that colour, from fiery passion to quiet resilience. Jesno envisioned Seeing RED as a platform for artists to delve into the expressive depths of red; she termed it an 'evocative colour'. In tones of crimson, scarlet, rose and burgundy, among other shades, the artworks conveyed themes of love, rage, transformation, danger, strength, and healing. Tulip by Zulia Kuprina. 'Red is not just a hue; it's an emotion, a presence, and through this exhibition, we aimed to highlight its duality on how it can be fierce yet tender, bold yet intimate,' said Jesno. The exhibited works spanned a range of styles and mediums, from abstract expressionism and mixed media, to collage and figurative painting. Each artist was invited to explore the meaning of red in their own visual language; it resulted in a rich dialogue across pieces that varied in technique, but were united in emotion. The show opened with the ceremonial unveiling of an artwork by guest artist Khulood Al Jabri, followed by the inauguration by Yaqoob Al Ali and Ahmed Al Mahmoud. The event also enjoyed the presence of pioneering Emirati artist Dr. Najat Makki, Lara Tabet, Claudia Pinto, Moosa Al Halyan, Dr. Edyta Skibinska and an array of other guests from across the cultural, diplomatic, and creative industries of the UAE. They took earnest time to walk through the exhibition, often pausing to take in and comment on the radiance of the works. There were conversations around symbolism, technique and the artists' personal connections to red. Woman in a dream by Khulood Al Jabri. Artists like Khulood Al Jabri, Eric Kwadwo Afranie, Andrew Scanlan, Aliyeh Barazandeh, Dina Khataan, Banashree Sengupta and Reem Al Subiy, delivered impactful works, reflecting red's many personas, from energetic and rebellious to the raw and romantic. The audience too was deeply engaged with the artworks, sharing emotional reflections, decoding symbolism, and connecting with the layered meanings of each piece. Works by artists like Sofia Ali, Mouza Al Darmaki, Roa Al Madani, Shaf Beypore, Reinier Chirino, Kumar Chadayamangalam, Thomas Antony, Mustafa Pracha, Salma Barakat, Neethu George, Jaimee Felysse Reyes, Avigyan Bhattacharya, Zuliya Kuprina, Raveendran Valanchery, Rheanne Louise, Yashi Khatanhar, Nithin Umesh, Natalia Vityugova, Krish, Christine Leonard, Manoo Mittal, Ekaterina Sholomova and Anuj Sarkar, were also on view. They had passionately poured their creativity into the theme of the show. Each artist explored red in their own way, showing its many aspects, from bold, brave, romantic and fierce, to its healing qualities. The closing ceremony included a guided art walk led by the curator and dignitaries, along with a certificate distribution, that acknowledged the artists. 'This was a dream project,' said Art4You Gallery co-founder, Rengi Cherian. 'I wanted to create a space where a single colour could carry an entire spectrum of human emotion. Red gave us that voice.' 'We are thankful to the artists, guests, media partners and supporters who helped bring this vision to life. Art4You Gallery continues to build bridges through storytelling in art,' said Jesno. Based in the UAE, Art4You Gallery is a platform with a mandate to foster cross-cultural dialogue and individual and collaborative creativity. With a focus on curated experiences and global partnerships and ventures, the gallery brings together emerging and established artists for interactive, artistic engagement. 'Red,' notes on its blog, 'was widely used by artists in the Paleolithic age, since it was easily obtainable in nature. The prehistoric cave paintings are a perfect example, in which they used red ochre. It can be found in Altamira, Spain, dating between 15,000 and 16,500 BCE. The most famous one is the bison painting.' Jesno Jackson, co-founder, Art4You Gallery. 'The colour red appears everywhere in our visual environment: in the sky, on the ground, in plants and animals, even on our own bodies. The reason our blood is red is because it contains haemoglobin,' says blog. 'In the Renaissance period,' says 'bright reds were used to draw attention to the most important figures in a painting ... In Asia, the colour red is commonly associated with luck and happiness, and is also the colour of traditional Indian and Chinese bridal outfits. 'In the Indian subcontinent, women put red dots on their forehead or scalp to show that they are married ... Red has been used as a colour of war and rebellion for many historic events. In ancient Roman mythology, Mars the god of war was associated with the colour red, hence why the 'red planet', coloured by iron oxide, was named after him.' Some of the highest-earning paintings on record heavily feature the colour red, such as Munch's The Scream (1893) and also some of Modigliani's most expensive works. No. 6 (Violet, Green and Red, 1951) by Mark Rothko sold for $186m in 2014 — the artist was known for the use of the colour red in his abstract paintings, using it to inspire deep emotions.
