Dubai’s Kutubna Cultural Center is launching a major new exhibition, “Women in Contemporary Arab Art,” offering visitors a rare look at how Arab women have been depicted through modern and contemporary artistic lenses.
Running from 26 April to 18 May 2025, the showcase explores strength, resilience, and cultural transformation through the works of renowned Arab artists.
Featuring 35 original artworks sourced from across the Arab world, the exhibition includes paintings on both canvas and paper in a variety of classical and experimental styles. The selected works span over a century of Arab art, with contributions from Syria’s Louay Kayali, Egypt’s Salah Taher and Adham Wanly, and Iraq’s Khaled Aljader. These pieces present powerful portrayals of women in both public and private realms and form part of a private collection amassed by International House Group over the past 25 years.
Artistic legacy
The exhibition is not only a celebration of artistic mastery but also a reflection on the evolving role of women in Arab societies. Viewers are invited to consider how identity, tradition, and transformation have been conveyed by generations of artists. Through intense brushstrokes, symbolic imagery, and layered perspectives, the collection illustrates a broad narrative—of women as icons, caretakers, visionaries, and individuals navigating change.
Each artwork acts as a visual document of its time, revealing historical and social nuances embedded within the Arab world’s cultural memory. From urban street scenes to introspective portraits, the exhibit captures a spectrum of experiences, challenges, and expressions of femininity unique to the region.
Cultural venue
Kutubna Cultural Center, located in Nadd Al Hamar, is Dubai’s newest independent bookstore and community arts venue. Since its founding in 2023, the space has emerged as a vibrant hub for literature, visual arts, and cultural engagement. The “Women in Contemporary Arab Art” exhibition reinforces Kutubna’s commitment to showcasing regional talent and nurturing inclusive dialogue through the arts.
The official opening on Saturday, 26 April at 6:00PM will feature a cultural gathering, bringing together artists, curators, and members of the UAE’s creative scene. Live music will accompany the launch event, and a range of public activities is planned throughout the exhibition period.
Admission is free and the gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., making it accessible to families, students, and art lovers alike. A media preview will also take place on Thursday, 24 April from 10:30AM to 12:30PM.
Institutional support
The exhibition is presented with the support of International House Real Estate Project Management L.L.C. and Al Bait Al Duwaliy Real Estate. Both organisations are known for their integration of artistic values in architectural projects and urban development across the UAE.
Shatha Almutawa, founder and director of Kutubna, expressed the Centre’s mission in presenting such exhibitions: “Although Arab artists have received recognition in their countries and in important museums around the world, their names remain less known than the names of European and American artists who appear in every book of art history.”
She emphasised the importance of educating young generations about the contributions of Arab artists, noting Kutubna’s role in promoting accessibility to cultural experiences for families and underrepresented communities.
The centre continues to host events such as lectures, readings, and workshops designed to amplify Khaleeji, Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, and Muslim voices in the creative world.