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Gulf Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Microscopic lines, narrative vines: Art4you hosts miniature exhibition
The art exhibition Miniature Lines, Infinite Stories which closed on June 21, drew together art lovers, collectors, and creatives in celebration of storytelling through the intricate, small-scale works displayed. Organised by Art4you Gallery and hosted in Design Gallery Ras Al Khaimah, the event invited guests to look closer at the emotions and meanings hidden in each brushstroke. Curated by Jesno Jackson, the show focused on the powerful connection between narrative and detail. It explored how artists can use minimal space and fine elements to convey expansive stories, personal reflections, cultural memories, and express spiritual journeys. The opening day was marked by engaging conversations, thoughtful observations, and a shared appreciation for the discipline and imagination of miniature art. Guests, including art patrons, cultural figures and media representatives, were drawn to the quiet power of the minimalist presentation of the artworks showcased. The curated show brought together an eclectic ensemble of 18 contemporary artists who had created 80 artworks. From the precision of Maliha Zaidi's repetitive hand-drawn cubes symbolising unity and interdependence, to Noreen Nawab's poetic self-portraits infused with Nature and love, each piece revealed unique, individual visual narratives. Vasilisa Eliseeva's Sounds of the Universe. Vasilisa Eliseeva's Sounds of the Universe portrayed serenity through cosmic feminine imagery, while Jesno Jackson's elegant canvases and introspective Reflection series, celebrated womanhood and tradition. Neethu George's tribute to Sufism captured the divine journey of the whirling dervish, paralleled by Shaf Beypore's evocative portrayal of ancestral tales told through the sands of the desert. Aimee George's Arabic calligraphy reverently illustrated Islamic devotion, while Thomas Antony honoured the spirit and resilience of the UAE's pearl diving legacy. Jeevan Oroolu's six-panel work vibrantly amplified the divine feminine through the powerful language of Theyyam, the elaborate ritualistic art form of Kerala State, India. Perihan Marwan's series explored a spectrum of feelings, balance, vulnerability, healing, and secrecy, while Muthu Krishna expressed structural emotion through architectural photography. Lucinda Holland's trompe l'oeil boxes offered layered perspectives, drawing viewers into illusory spaces with animal motifs. Katerina Sholomova wove whimsical tales with abstract lines inspired by peacock feathers, and Noura Aldhaheri presented the Emirati woman as a cultural beacon. Salma Barakat's Echoes of Line meditated on the enduring nature of identity through cycles of transformation. Disha Paul's celebration of feminine resilience highlighted moments of rest and reflection as sources of strength. Tribute to Grandmothers by Noura Aldhaheri. Ayesha Rahman fused script and image with spiritual depth, while Yashi Khatanhar blurred boundaries between painting and photography in a dreamlike, immersive series. Collectively, the artists presented a diverse yet harmonious symphony of expression, tradition, and transformation. 'Miniature Lines, Infinite Stories invited viewers to discover the vastness held within small frames,' said Jesno Jackson, who is also Co-founder of Art4you Gallery. 'By limiting the format to a 20x20 cm canvas, the focus was on intimacy, precision and depth, that encouraged artists to create a series of connected works that spoke across canvases, traditions, and borders. 'The concept was envisioned to celebrate diversity through line work, making space for voices from across the globe. As a curator, I believe in creating thoughtful platforms that not only showcase creativity, but also builds cultural bridges. The show was a tribute to storytelling, discipline, and the timeless beauty of simplicity.' The exhibition was officially inaugurated on June 14 by Ahmed Obaid AlTeneiji, Director General of Department of Antiquities and Museums, Ras Al Khaimah, in the presence of Alshemaili Nabil, Tariq Alsalmaan, Rengi Cherian (Co-founder, Art4you Gallery), Waseem Al Sawan, Abdulhadi Alyak, Ahmad Yousif, Omar Al Hashmi, Tariq Al Salman, Yousif Waseem Al Sawan, and Abdulrahman Al Naqi. Artists and art supporters at the event A musical performance accompanied the event, orchestrated by cultural partners Jaime and Johana; it provided a tuneful accompaniment to the art of small canvases. 'The success of the show was made possible by the generous support of our supporters and all partners,' said Jesno Jackson. 'The exhibition offered sparked dialogue, built bridges, and encouraged reflection, and has left a lasting impression on all those who experienced it.' Art4you Gallery is an inclusive platform dedicated to promoting contemporary art and cultural dialogue across borders. Founded by Jesno Jackson and CEO Rengi Cherian, with a vision to connect artists, audiences and collectors, the gallery curates a wide range of exhibitions, workshops and international collaborations, that celebrate creativity in all its forms. With a focus on social impact and sustainability, Art4you often aligns its initiatives with global causes, such as environmental awareness and cancer advocacy. It serves as a nurturing space for both emerging and established artists, fostering engagement through visual storytelling, community outreach, and innovative curatorial practices. Rengi Cherian (left) and Jesno Jackson. Miniature painting, says an AI reference, is the art of painting small-scale artworks, often portraits, illustrations, or figures, in meticulous detail. It encompasses various forms, from historical illuminated manuscripts and portrait miniatures, to modern hobbyist painting of miniatures for tabletop games. 'Portrait Miniatures,' it says further, 'were small, finely detailed portraits painted on vellum, card, copper, or ivory, popular from the 16th to mid-19th centuries.' Miniature illustrations were a key element in decorating manuscripts, often depicting religious scenes or historical events. Persian, Ottoman, and Mughal Miniature Painting traditions involved intricate, small-scale paintings on paper, often illustrating books or albums. Modern Miniature Painting includes Tabletop Game Miniatures, involving painting plastic or resin figures for games like Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, and others. Miniature paintings, concludes AI, are characterised by their small size, requiring a steady hand and fine brushes; intricate detailing is crucial to the craft. Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Mail & Guardian
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Ford Territory Dark Edition: Stitched to embrace tradition
Top of the range: The Ford Territory Dark Edition replaces the Titanium variant. Ford launched the Territory Dark Edition in South Africa this week with some styling changes to what was already a worthy contender in a very crowded SUV segment. The Territory comes in three trims: Ambiente, Trend and now the Dark Edition, which replaces the Titanium variant that I The Titanium variant felt in sync with competitors as it has a bold exterior mixed with a fancy interior that felt very accomplished. The one thing I did notice with the Titanium variant is that both inside and out, it doesn't have the usual characteristics of a Ford SUV. Whether it was the broad, squared headlights, or other unique styling features that allow you to distinguish a Ford from other SUVs out there, something was just missing. Not that it was bad, but it feels good to step into a vehicle that understands its identity. With the Territory Dark Edition, Ford has made the exterior more stylish and athletic. In the front, the grille has been upgraded to satin black, combined with high-gloss black treatment for the skid plate, fog lamp accents and mirror caps. This bold and assertive exterior styling certainly does allow the vehicle to express itself a bit more. The black 19-inch alloy wheels also add to the visual presence of the vehicle and the 'Territory' branding has been changed to black at the rear of the vehicle. However, it is the interior of the Dark Edition that really uplifts the vehicle and gives it its own identity. Ford has ditched the wooden finish underneath the dashboard that was present in the Titanium variant. Instead, the vehicle has a high-gloss, black-painted strip for the instrument panel that feeds perfectly into the cyber-orange stitching that is lined along the dashboard and on the super comfortable leather seats. The orange stitching is also used in Ford's Wildtrak variants of the Ranger and Everest. This small touch is one of the highlights of the Territory Dark Edition because it gives you the feeling that you are sitting in a Ford. It's amazing how lines of stitching can make a vehicle feel complete. The spacious interior is the other highlight. Backseat passengers are treated to an immense amount of headroom and legroom — and that is standard, no matter which variant you choose. The orange stitching is a welcome addition to the Territory Dark Edition Under the bonnet, the Territory Dark Edition still comes with the 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine that delivers 138kW of power and 318Nm of torque. That means that the ride quality on the Dark Edition and Titanium models are exactly the same — a smooth drive with a solid suspension and more than enough power to get you by. In terms of safety, the Dark Edition has all the features that were present in the Titanium variant such as a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert; adaptive cruise control with stop and go; pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking; lane keep assist; lane departure warning and lane change assist. The Dark Edition gains a 360-degree camera that provides all-round visibility — a boon when getting into tight parking spaces and manoeuvring around obstacles. A 360 degree camera has also been added Ford maintains that the Territory is all about family. The bold, exceptional styling that you get with the Dark Edition is an added bonus. Pricing starts at R593 500 for the Ambiente, the Trend comes in at R650 500 and the Dark Edition is priced at R733 000. The Dark Edition has kept it fresh, like the Titanium model that it replaces, but it embodies the brand. However, it is still a very competitive segment and Ford has produced an all-round quality vehicle at a reasonable price for what you are getting.
Top Gear
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Land Rover's new Defender Octa ‘Black' does exactly what it says on the tin
Land Rover's new Defender Octa 'Black' does exactly what it says on the tin Aside from the menacing exterior paint, the interior gets fresh detailing and fancy new upholstery. We like Skip 12 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 12 Fresh off the release of its new Range Rover Sport SV 'Black', Land Rover has now applied the same approach to its wide-arched Defender Octa. Yep, looks like a proper thug. That paint is called 'Narvik Black', and it's apparently the 'truest black in the Defender paint palette'. Customers can also add a protective matte film over it… because caution is precisely what this car is all about. Oh no, that's not right is it... Advertisement - Page continues below As many as 30 exterior elements have also been reskinned in either gloss or satin black for the erm Black, including the quad-exhaust tips, badging and even the underbody armour. Your choice of 20 or 22in alloys will get the same treatment, as do the brake calipers nestled in behind. It's a similar ethos inside, featuring darker detailing across the dashboard, centre console and almost every piece of trim and switchgear. Chopped carbon fibre can also be optioned into certain sections if you're the kind of person that thinks Mansory makes some tasteful SUVs. The final change involves the seats, which gain unique patterns and detailed stitching, and debut a new type of semi-aniline leather and Kvadrat fabric upholstery. Otherwise, it's a familiar 13.1in multimedia screen and a 15-speaker Meridian sound system. No technical upgrades are mentioned either, so the Octa Black retains the 626bhp/553lb ft twin-turbo mild-hybrid V8, good for 0-62mph in four seconds across just about any environment. Explains why Land Rover fancies its chances at the forthcoming Dakar Rally. Advertisement - Page continues below We've yet to hear about a release date or pricing for the Black, but do consider that a standard Octa costs at least £148k. Things do be getting expensive these days. Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Car and Driver
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Land Rover Defender Octa Black Is a More Sinister 626-HP SUV
The 2026 Land Rover Defender Octa Black is the newest variation of the range-topping Defender. Land Rover says 30 exterior components are finished in either gloss or satin black, with the exterior painted in Narvik Black. The Octa Black follows the rest of the 2026 Defender lineup with new headlights and taillights as well as a new 13.1-inch center touchscreen. Along with giving the 2026 Defender its first facelift since the nameplate returned to the United States in 2020, Land Rover is also adding a new visual package for the iconic model. It's called the Defender Octa Black, and Land Rover says it's an even bolder look for the range-topping model. A Blacked-Out Octa As the name implies, the Octa Black takes the newest Defender and covers every inch of it in black paint. Land Rover says that 30 exterior elements were given the Rolling Stones treatment. That includes the scuff plates, recovery hooks, exhaust tips, Land Rover badges, wheels, and brake calipers finished in a variation of satin or gloss black. The exterior bodywork is finished in Narvik Black, which the automaker calls the "truest black" in the Defender lineup. Land Rover The interior maintains the theme, with carbon-fiber trim throughout. The crossbar spanning the dashboard features satin black, the leather seats are finished in an ebony color, and the armrests and seatbacks use Carpathian Grey. As it's joining the lineup for 2026, updates to the Octa Black follow the rest of the Defender lineup. For the outside, that means newly standard fog lights, a new LED graphic for the headlights, and taillights that now sit flush with the body. Inside, the Octa Black gets a new 13.1-inch center touchscreen, which replaces the old 10.0-inch unit. Land Rover Land Rover Power is unchanged from the standard Octa. A twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 sits under the hood and pumps out 626 horsepower. Given that a 518-hp V-8-equipped Defender 90 we tested hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, we expect the Octa can make the same sprint in fewer than 4.0 seconds. Official pricing and availability haven't yet been announced, but we don't expect the price to stray too far from the current Octa's $153,625 jumping-off point. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
Business Wire
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Westlake Royal Building Products ™ Launches Outdoor Design Tool for Kindred ™ Outdoors + Surrounds
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westlake Royal Building Products ™ ('Westlake Royal'), a Westlake company (NYSE:WLK), announces the launch of its new Outdoor Design Tool for Kindred ™ Outdoors + Surrounds —an interactive visualizer that helps users imagine, design and plan custom outdoor living spaces with ease. Whether building new or enhancing an existing area, the tool provides an intuitive, hands-on experience to explore products, experiment with layouts and make confident design decisions. The new Outdoor Design Tool is an immersive platform that allows homeowners, contractors and landscape architects to create detailed outdoor designs, starting with a layout and then customizing with Kindred's easy-to-install solutions. Users can incorporate a wide range of Kindred products, including Signature Kitchens, outdoor cabinets, fire bowls, fireplaces and fire pits, available in multiple finishes and colors. Designs can be further customized with a curated selection of architectural stone veneer, cooking appliances like grills and ovens, as well as lighting, flooring, furniture, plants and more to create a realistic and fully imagined space. 'We're thrilled to introduce the new Outdoor Design Tool for Kindred Outdoors + Surrounds,' said Steve Booz, vice president of marketing at Westlake Royal Building Products. 'Whether for personal inspiration or professional use, this tool empowers users to visualize and personalize their space with Kindred's beautiful, functional products—designed to bring outdoor living visions to life.' To simplify and streamline the journey from concept to construction, users can use the tool to generate a design summary to guide contractors through the planning and specification stages, ensuring a smooth, efficient build process. In addition to the tool's design capabilities, in-platform guidance is also available to support users throughout the process. This includes helpful callouts and tips for using a variety of tools—such as controlling lighting conditions, adjusting viewing angles and tracking products applied to the space—making it especially valuable for first-time users exploring the platform's robust features. Explore the Kindred Outdoor Design Tool by visiting: 1 About Kindred Outdoors + Surrounds Kindred Outdoors + Surrounds creates thoughtfully designed outdoor living solutions that bring people together in beautiful, functional spaces. From handcrafted fire bowls and fireplace surrounds to fully equipped outdoor kitchens, Kindred products are made for connection, comfort and conversation—both inside and outside the home. Launched in 2020, Kindred offers easy-to-install solutions that can be specified with any manufactured stone from the Westlake Royal Building Products portfolio, including Eldorado Stone, Cultured Stone, Dutch Quality and StoneCraft. For more information, visit About Westlake Royal Building Products Westlake Royal Building Products USA Inc., a Westlake company (NYSE:WLK), is a leader throughout North America in the innovation, design, and production of a broad and diverse range of exterior and interior building products, including Siding and Accessories, Trim and Mouldings, Roofing, Stone, Windows and Outdoor Living. Westlake Royal Building Products manufactures high quality, low maintenance products to meet the specifications and needs of building professionals, homeowners, architects, engineers and distributors, while providing stunning curb appeal with an unmatched array of colors, styles, and accessories. For more information, please visit Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram and 'Like' us on Facebook.
