The “Words Breathe Beauty” visual art exhibition, inspired by the poetry of the late Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, opened on Wednesday, February 26, at the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation. Held in honour of the celebrated poet’s centennial, the exhibition brings his timeless verses to life through artistic expression, celebrating his enduring literary legacy.
In the presence of dozens of artists, intellectuals, and art enthusiasts, writer Abdul Ghaffar Hussein, member of the Board of Trustees of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, officially inaugurated the exhibition by cutting the red ribbon.
He was accompanied by H.E. Abdul Hamid Ahmed, Secretary General of the Foundation, and Dr. Fatima Al Sayegh, member of the Board of Trustees. They toured the exhibition’s corridors, showcasing 76 artworks by 56 artists from the UAE, the Arab world, and beyond. The diverse collection featured Arabic calligraphy, oil and watercolor paintings, sculptures and immersive art installations.
The exhibited works drew inspiration from the life, ideas, and national values of the poet Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais. Sculptural and visual artworks captured key aspects of his journey, while calligraphy and intricate motifs transformed his most famous verses into vibrant, gilded artistic icons. These pieces reflected the artists’ profound engagement with his poetry, exploring its emotional, national, and social dimensions.
The exhibition features a diverse group of artists from the UAE, the Arab world, and beyond, showcasing a rich blend of artistic styles and influences. The participating artists are Ihsan Al Khatib, Ahmed Al Awadhi, Amir Falsafi, Bassem Al Sayer, Bashir Bashir, Taj Al-Sir Hassan, George Sobhi, Hakim Ghena Hossam Ahmed Abdel Wahab, Khulood Al Jabri, Khalifa El Shimy, Dawood Bektash, Rehab Saidam, Salem Al Junaibi, Sami Makarem, Saad Tuwaij, Salma Al Marri, Shehab Al Kaabi, SawaJ Goik, Salah Sherzad, Talal Mualla, Abbas Akhavein, Abdul Jabbar Weiss, Abdul Qader Al Rais, and Abdul Qader Al Mubarak.
They also include Abeer Issa Adam, Osman Ozcay, Aqeel Ahmed, Ali Shirazi, Ali Al Zuwailef, Omar Ezzat Habra, Imran Ali Al Balushi, Gholam Amirkhani, Farouk Al Haddad, Fatima Al Hammadi, Karim Al Dosari, Kaltham Belselah, Magda Nasreddin, Magdy El Kafrawy, Mohsen Abbadi, Mohammed Al Nouri, Mehmed Ozcay, Mohammed Issa, Mohammed Fahmy, Mohammed Mandi, Mahmoud Al Ramahi, Mahmoud Al Abbadi, Musab Al Douri, Mona Al Khaja, Najat Makki, Narges Nour El Din, Huda Saeed Al Dhahuri, Yasser Dweik, and Yousef Dweik.
Their collective works, spanning calligraphy, painting, sculpture, and installations, bring to life the poetry of Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, transforming his words into visual masterpieces that resonate with artistic depth and cultural significance.
The exhibition is part of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation’s year-long celebrations marking the centenary of the esteemed poet (1925-2025). As part of this tribute, the Foundation is organizing a series of cultural events throughout the year to honour his literary contributions and lasting human legacy.
In recognition of his profound impact on Arabic poetry and culture, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated this year as the International Year of Culture to celebrate Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais, the poet of love, beauty and eloquence.
