Jassim Al-Awadhi: Pioneering Emirati Photography and Public Art
Explore the Life and Legacy of Jassim Al-Awadhi, from His Inspirational Beginnings to His Impact on Dubai’s Art Scene and Cultural Landscape.
Side view of Jassim Al-Awadhi Pioneering Emirati Photography and Public Art by Dubai CultureDubai Culture & Arts Authority
Inspired Beginnings
Jassim Al-Awadhi, a renowned Emirati photographer, was inspired by his uncle's artistic vision at a young age. He has since become one of the first Emirati photographers, with an impressive collection of works that reflect the evolution of the Dubai art scene since the 1960s.
Academic Pursuits and Professional Milestones in Photography
He graduated with a Master’s in Photography from Nottingham Trent University, UK, in 1999, after obtaining a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from the University of Dayton, Ohio, in 1985. He pioneered forensic photography as a crime scene photographer with Dubai Police for over 2 decades.
Dr. Jassim Al-Awadhi walk in around while looking at his Art Piece by Dubai CultureDubai Culture & Arts Authority
Dubai as an Open Art Gallery
A true art enthusiast, he explores creativity in every corner, relishing the aesthetic charm that public art bestows upon spaces.
To him, Dubai is an open art gallery, where landmarks like Fish Roundabout, Clock Roundabout, and heritage Barajeel architecture represent cherished symbols of public art.
Jassim Al-Awadhi Pioneering Emirati Photography and Public Art With Sunset View by Dubai CultureDubai Culture & Arts Authority
Celebrating Local Culture and Unity
Al-Awadhi champions art's power to celebrate local culture, emphasizing the artist's responsibility. Public art transcends boundaries, touching everyone's soul.
It must harmonize with its surroundings, blending unity into its intricate details and vibrant colors, a seamless fusion between the artist and the place.
Jassim Al-Awadhi Pioneering Emirati Photography and Public ArtDubai Culture & Arts Authority
A Wave of Imagination on Jumeirah Beach
"Wave of Imagination," a masterpiece situated along Jumeirah Beach, was inspired by the intricate dance between water and land. It captures the natural ebb and flow of Arabian Gulf waves, symbolising the vital connection of the sea and the desert, a core element of UAE's history.
