‘Down To Earth’: A Journey To Create Modern Art From Nature's Earth
Sumaira FH Published September 13, 2019 | 03:45 PM
By Nour Salman ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 13th Sep, 2019) Centuries have passed since the founding of pottery and ceramic art, with decorative pieces defining the cultural expressions of the world. In today’s fast-paced, high-tech society, artists and artisans still take pleasure in the ancient process, creating new art forms through the medium of the ceramic arts.
One such artist is Mani Suri, who was first introduced to the pottery process in South Africa’s Johannesburg in 2006. Her love for the art began long before then, Suri told the Emirates news Agency, WAM. "I don’t remember exactly when it was that I fell in love with pottery, but I’ve been buying pieces since childhood," she added.
Suri said that as a child she used to go out to village fairs and bring home colourful birds and animals made out clay. "Even my piggy bank, which I used to save money, was made of clay," she fondly recalls.
The artist said that her interest the medium grew further as she got older, particularly with the process involved in creating ceramic pieces. Her learning journey began in South Africa and continued in India, Egypt and Australia, where she explored different cultures within her artworks.
Now, these pieces will be on display in the UAE Capital, as part of her upcoming exhibition, ‘Down to Earth’, in which each artwork has gone through a unique journey from "Mother Earth to Mother Fire".
"My first solo exhibition was in 2008 in South Africa, and it took place just two years after being introduced to clay," Suri told WAM.
"This exhibition is mainly of the work I’ve done in the UAE over the past two years. Before leaving Abu Dhabi, I wanted to share my creative efforts with my friends," she explained.
"Abu Dhabi and the UAE has been very inspiring for me," Suri said, adding, "There is a lot of creativity in most of the things that are done here."
"Sometimes," she continued, "even the beautiful buildings inspire me to create asymmetrical shapes." One of the pieces that will be displayed at the show, ‘Desert Safari, was inspired by the local landscape, Suri enthused.
When asked to describe her aesthetic, Suri said that bold colours and asymmetric shapes intrigue her. "I also find that the energy of what I’m looking at is very important. Be it a piece of ceramic or a painting on the wall, I see it as my companion that I have to face every day. If I feel I can live with it, then its aesthetics work for me."
Suri, who has practised pottery for the past 12 years, said that her choice of bold colours would be self-evident at the exhibition. Visitors will be "amazed" by the colours and shapes of works exhibited, she noted, adding that her style is a move away from traditional pottery art forms.
Held under the patronage of the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, ‘Down to Earth’ will open 14th September at Burj Mohammed bin Rashid, near the World Trade Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
More Stories From Middle East
-
UAE announces ‘Zero Bureaucracy Program’ to reduce bureaucracy
3 months ago -
COP28 President-Designate welcomes Transitional Committee agreement to operationalise Loss and Damag ..
6 months ago -
Global Media Congress 2023 to feature Co-Production Majlis as a new networking platform
6 months ago -
Young female athletes shine at Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship
6 months ago -
King of Jordan receives Abdullah bin Zayed and ministers participating in Arab coordination meeting
6 months ago -
Abdullah bin Zayed participates in coordination meeting of Arab foreign ministers, joint meeting wit ..
6 months ago
-
3rd annual conference of Emirates Society of Clinical Microbiology kicks off in Dubai
6 months ago -
SIBF 2023 hosts Nobel laureate to discuss emergence of ‘Afrofuturism’ in global discourse
6 months ago -
ALC announces winners of Kanz Al Jeel Award 2023
6 months ago -
SIBF turns spotlight on remarkable contributions of women
6 months ago -
Global assets in spot bitcoin ETFs hit $4.16 billion
6 months ago -
Rescuers struggle to find Nepal quake survivors as deaths reach 157
6 months ago