ZEINAB AL HASHEMI | I) BE AS YOU ARE THE UNIVERSE II) AND BE EVERYTHING TO YOURSELF

Leila Heller Gallery, Dubai/New York

Zeinab Alhashemi (b. 1985, United Arab Emirates), an Emirati conceptual artist based in Dubai, graduated from Zayed University with a BA in Arts and Science where she specialised in Multimedia Design. She has since become known for her largescale contemporary sight-specific installations.

Alhashemi is fascinated with capturing the transformation of the UAE following the country’s construction and industrial boom. She examines the contrast as well as interdependence that came to exist between the abstract, geometric shapes of urbanism and the organic form associated with her country’s natural landscape. In her experimental installations, in search of a new identity appropriate to the modern condition, the artist deconstructs the viewer’s understanding of their surroundings with the hope of encouraging new perceptions of reality. Drawing inspiration from the natural topography of the UAE, Alhashemi experiments with a variety of materials to position the viewer over the intangible boundary between the natural and artificial.

In her short career, the young artist has participated in numerous art fairs, festivals and biennales including Vitalism, Montroi celebrating Nomadism, Dubai Design Week, Dubai (2017); Alharaka Baraka, Unlimited Arab Explorations, Maraya Art Centre, Sharjah (2016); Sharjah Biennial 11, Sharjah (2013); 40 Poems From the Desert and UAE, Ara Gallery; Sikka Art Fair, Dubai (2010, 2011-2012) and the UAE Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo (2010 and 2011).

Alhashemi was commissioned by the Institute de France and DCT Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi to showcase at the inauguration of the Louvre Abu Dhabi (2018). Additionally, she took part in A.i.R Dubai, a collaboration between the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Art Dubai, Delfina Foundation and Tashkeel (2012). She also participated in the Abu Dhabi Airport Centre Project for Formula One (2011).

Alhashemi is currently one of the Artists in Residence for SETI-Institute – an Art and Science residency that encourages engagement and research between artists and scientists. Her next commissions will be revealed at EXPO2021 Dubai at the Sustainable Pavilion.

Alhashemi lives and works in the UAE.