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A new art exhibition opened at the Arab Cultural Club in Sharjah, showcasing the work of Emirati artist Abdel Rahim Salem. The exhibition titled “Stone Specters” features more than 20 large-scale paintings that explore themes of resilience and fragility through distinctive color compositions and expressive techniques. Dr. Omar Abdel Aziz, Chairman of the Club’s Board of Directors, along with Ali Al Mughni, Vice Chairman, and several visual artists attended the opening ceremony.
Abdel Rahim Salem, who serves as Chairman of the UAE Fine Arts Society, presented his latest collection at the cultural venue. According to the artist, the exhibition reflects a unified intellectual and emotional atmosphere that he explored through a style blending artistic expressionism with experimental color work. The stone specters art exhibition runs at the Arab Cultural Club, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with contemporary Emirati visual arts.
Visual Themes and Artistic Approach
The paintings feature color selections that evoke atmospheres of clouds, storms, and waves, according to gallery descriptions. Small stones in lighter colors appear throughout the compositions, remaining fixed and steadfast amid turbulent surroundings. These visual elements recur across all works in the collection, with each repetition adding new dimensions to the artistic narrative.
The artworks depict ships’ sails battling the sea for survival, small houses amid wind and rain, and figures struggling against hurricanes while searching for salvation. Salem explained that expressing himself through small stones represents a deep emotional experience rooted in his thoughts and feelings. The artist noted that he sought to embody his emotions through different approaches, but the consistent theme remained those small stones symbolizing both weakness and strength simultaneously.
Symbolism and Artistic Expression
The recurring imagery represents an eternal struggle between opposing forces in an unequal confrontation. Overwhelming power faces complete weakness, yet this weakness gains strength through unbreakable will, remaining steadfast beneath storms and floods. The small stones, weak in composition and size, possess internal solidity that defines their symbolic significance within the visual narrative.
Dr. Omar Abdel Aziz provided insights into Salem’s artistic journey during the exhibition presentation. He explained that the artist’s early works were characterized by expressive realism pulsing with strong lines and distinctive color harmony. Salem was establishing his unique path by attempting to merge figuration and abstraction, successfully bridging these two approaches.
Bridging Realism and Abstraction in Contemporary Art
According to Dr. Abdel Aziz, the artist achieved reconciliation between these levels by recognizing an objective truth that sees abstraction in figuration and figuration in abstraction. This approach eliminates barriers between the two artistic modes, creating a cohesive visual language. The methodology demonstrates Salem’s evolving technique in contemporary Emirati visual arts.
Additionally, the exhibition reflects broader trends in regional contemporary art that emphasize personal narrative and emotional authenticity. The large-scale format of the paintings allows viewers to immerse themselves in the atmospheric quality of the works. Meanwhile, the consistent thematic elements across the collection create a unified viewing experience that invites contemplation of resilience and perseverance.
The stone specters exhibition contributes to Sharjah’s vibrant cultural scene and the UAE’s growing contemporary art landscape. However, the specific duration of the exhibition at the Arab Cultural Club has not been announced. Visitors interested in viewing Salem’s latest artistic exploration can contact the venue for additional information regarding viewing hours and accessibility.
