Emirati artist Dr. Karima Al Shomali has won second place at the Fine Arts Exhibition hosted by the “Salon des Beaux-Arts” in Paris. The exhibition featured 153 participants from around the globe. Dr. Al Shomali was part of a delegation of five Emirati photographic artists sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the event, Hend Mana Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador in Paris, visited the UAE pavilion and congratulated artists on their participation, specifically congratulating and commending Karima Shomali on her achievement.
Al Shomali’s second place underscored the growing presence of Emirati art on regional and global stages, enhancing its reputation and attracting attention. It also affirms the consolidation of Dr. Al Shomali’s experience, built through diligent artistic endeavors.
Her work explores experimental concepts, often revitalizing folklore symbols with fresh perspectives to present this heritage in contemporary contexts, thereby stimulating interest and appreciation. Her artistic focus spans printing, photography, installation, and sculpture. Dr. Al Shomali, a professor of fine arts at the University of Sharjah, holds a PhD in Fine Arts from Kingston University in the United Kingdom.
Artist Karima Al Shomali highlighted her participation as part of a distinguished Emirati delegation sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the 160th edition of the annual art exhibition “Salon des Beaux-Arts” in Paris. The exhibition took place from June 20 to 24, 2024. The Emirati delegation included five artists: Dr. Karima Al Shomali, Fatima Al Budoor, Ola Ibrahim Al Louz, Faisal AlRais, and Jalal bin Thaneya.
All five artists participated in photography, as part of the Ministry-sponsored program for international artistic engagements aimed at showcasing Emirati creativity on a global stage. This initiative provides Emirati artists with opportunities to share their work internationally and gain from diverse artistic experiences. Their participation marked the first time Emirati works were featured in the history of this prestigious salon, offering a unique glimpse into the Emirati art scene.
The Salon des Beaux-Arts is a renowned art exhibition that attracted 153 artists from various countries, presenting a wide array of modern art forms including painting, sculpture, printing, photography, installation, video, and more. This participation allowed the Emirati artists to showcase their talents alongside their international peers, enhancing global awareness of Emirati artistry.
Al Shomali emphasized that her win represents a significant and prestigious achievement for her. The Fine Arts Exhibition in Paris, which holds historical significance, was established in 1864 and is now in its 160th edition. “Participation alone is considered an artistic milestone and advantage in any artist’s career. Winning one of the top places further enhances this milestone, yet it is a challenging feat due to the diverse jury comprising artists, critics, journalists, collectors, and exhibition managers. Their decisions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of the artwork from all perspectives.”
“Winning second place brings me immense happiness and serves as a strong motivator to continue exploring and experimenting. It confirms that my efforts in highlighting our culture and society through my work are moving in the right direction. This achievement encourages me to delve deeper into my research and artistic pursuits,” she added.
Al Shomali’s entry featured a photograph of a young woman adorned in the traditional women’s robe known as “Bouqlim,” characterized by its longitudinal striped fabric that covers the entire body up to the neck. She chose a vibrant yellow color with matching stripes, paired with a headscarf and a black burqa.
Over her head, she carried an umbrella crafted from the same fabric and color as the robe, creating a striking contrast of yellow and black stripes against the woman‘s bright face. This composition effectively stirs memories of traditional “burqa” and “thobe” attire, blending traditional symbols with modern artistic styles—a recurring theme in Karima Al Shomali’s work. This unique combination mostlikely captured the jury’s attention and earned their admiration.
