Art Abu Dhabi is one of the most anticipated cultural events in the Middle East. Sheikha Shaikha bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan unveiled her newest art installation, ‘The Palimpsest’ during the inauguration of Abu Dhabi Art 2015 that is taking place in Manarat Al Saadiyat until 21st of November. It’s the latest installation unveiled to the public for the first time.
Sheikha Shaikha presented her work in the context of her commitment to art, culture and the role of the Emirati women that shape tomorrow’s generation. Such a role, in her opinion, cannot be achieved by education alone but, also, by nurturing the artistic self-expression of a younger generation.
Commenting upon her installation, Sheikha Shaikha highlighted that her art work symbolises life and self without a defined identity, or body, or time or place. It can be viewed as a reusable, infinite, ancient reoccurring manuscript page, like a palimpsest, that once withheld worthy illustration or meaningful words; although it’s ever-changing it’s nonetheless infinitely important without losing value each time it is altered.
She said: “My work is intended to present a moment of partial appearance of the constituents of self and life that may be mentally assembled in a total that makes no reference to one place, time or person, but to life itself as a palimpsest that would have born several texts but only few remain readable and all are meaningful.”
For the last five years, Sheikha Shaikha’s annual installations have become highly regarded, during Abu Dhabi Art each year, alongside the installations from fellow Emirati artists. This year’s installation continues to focus on personal values to which the culture at large may relate to.
