ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)
Bringing their world-class work into the spotlight, artists and designers see Abu Dhabi’s Al Thuraya Exhibition as a gateway to the vibrant UAE market, a bridge connecting them to new and wider audiences.
Running until January 29 at ADNEC Centre’s Marina Hall, the exhibition brings together artisans, creatives, and entrepreneurs from across the region and beyond as part of a broader initiative to support the cultural economy. For many exhibitors, Al Thuraya represents a long-anticipated opportunity.
Jack Lee, a Chinese artist and longtime UAE resident, has experienced firsthand how exhibiting at Al Thuraya enables him to connect with audiences who could be seeing his work for the first time.
“This exhibition is different from others in terms of the audience it attracts,” Lee told Aletihad. “There are many women attending, and in other exhibitions we don’t usually have this level of female visitors. For us, it’s a very good opportunity.”
Widely recognised within the Emirati art community as an educator and private fine arts tutor, Lee has received multiple awards and also serves as a Marketing Ambassador for Abu Dhabi Tourism.
His body of work draws heavily on Emirati traditions — a tribute to what has been his second home for more than 20 years. “As an artist, I like to explore the country’s culture, so my paintings often depict local traditions and scenes, as well as portraits of members of the royal family,” he said.
Like Lee, other established creatives see significant potential at Al Thuraya. Among them is Velvet by A.N.J, a fashion brand founded by three Kuwaiti sisters— Abeer, Asma, and Alia Al Jabri — who are participating in the exhibition for the first time, bringing with them a success story that has earned international recognition.
“We started this journey back in 2005. At the beginning, we were making pieces just for ourselves, and people kept asking who designed them,” the sisters said.
“With time, we grew. We opened stores, opened boutiques, and eventually showcased at the official London Fashion Week in 2018. Our work was also featured in Vogue that year.”
Presenting their designs in Abu Dhabi left a strong impression. “Honestly, we loved the organisation, the turnout, the elegance of the people, and how warm and kind everyone is,” they said, describing the experience as both welcoming and encouraging for designers entering the capital’s market for the first time.
Another international exhibitor echoed the sentiment. Yahya Zaakriyah, the Italian-Egyptian founder of La Dolce Vita Ceramics, said participating in Al Thuraya was a strategic move driven by demand.
“This is our first time participating in an exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Even though our base was in Dubai, around 80% of our customers are from Abu Dhabi. So being here feels very natural for us,” he said.
Zaakriyah added that such platforms are essential for entrepreneurs. “These exhibitions introduce us to new audiences and help us understand what customers are looking for. They offer valuable visibility, especially for handmade brands like ours.”