Emirati artist Abdullah Al-Saadi to feature at 60th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale
Updated 05 October 2023
Arab News
DUBAI: Emirati artist Abdullah Al-Saadi will represent the UAE at the 60th International Art Exhibition of the La Biennale di Venezia, or the Venice Biennale, opening in April 2024.
Curated by Tarek Abou El-Fetouh, the solo exhibition marks the artist’s return to Venice following his participation at the 57th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in 2017.
Considered a key figure in the contemporary art scene in the UAE, Al-Saadi’s practice range includes painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, photography, collecting and cataloguing found objects, and the creation of new alphabets.
His work is informed by the UAE’s landscape and his family history, often exploring relationships between individuals and their natural and social environment.
“Abdullah’s practice has been, over the last 40 years, a continuous engagement with changing environments as well as personal and cultural histories, creating points where they meet and interweave,” said Abou El-Fetouh.
DUBAI: Sunday night’s Critics Choice Awards, the first major gala of this year’s Hollywood awards season, played host to several creations from Arab fashion designers on the red carpet.
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph showed off a burgundy gown by Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward, hailing from his Fall/ Winter 2025 couture collection, while Kristen Bell opted for a black dress with lace panels by celebrity favorite Elie Saab.
The “Marty Supreme” actress Odessa A'zion glittered in a silver, sequined gown by Emirati brand OTT Dubai.
Sheryl Lee Ralph showed off a burgundy gown by Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward. (Getty Images)
The brand, which has been sported by singers Mya and Leona Lewis in the past, dressed A’zion in a semi-sheer, floor-length dress with billowing sleeves and a peek-a-boo cutout.
A’zion’s co-star Timothee Chalamet’s Oscars campaign earned a major boost at the event as he scooped the best actor prize for “Marty Supreme,” AFP reported.
“Marty Supreme” actress Odessa A'zion glittered in a silver, sequined gown by Emirati brand OTT Dubai. (Getty Images)
He defeated rival Leonardo DiCaprio, whose raucous political thriller “One Battle After Another” took the night’s top prize for best picture, as well as best director and best adapted screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson.
In “Marty Supreme,” Chalamet plays a 1950s table tennis champion consumed by grand ambitions.
Loosely based on a true story, and benefiting from the Franco-American actor’s unique viral campaign, the film directed by Josh Safdie (“Uncut Gems”) has become an unlikely global hit.
Chalamet — the “Dune” superstar and two-time Oscar nominee who recently portrayed Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” — rigorously trained in table tennis for the role.
The 30-year-old has in the past made no secret of his ambitions to win multiple Academy Awards, and will now be the frontrunner for the ceremony on March 15.
The awards bestowed by North America’s largest critics’ group could give movie campaigns much-needed extra momentum as Oscars voting nears.
This year, it took the coveted first weekend of awards season usually occupied by the Golden Globes, which will take place in Beverly Hills next weekend.
Jessie Buckley won best actress for her role as the tragic wife of William Shakespeare in period drama “Hamnet.”
Jacob Elordi won best supporting actor for his portrayal of the Monster in “Frankenstein,” which also won three technical awards, while Amy Madigan won supporting actress for a villainous turn in horror flick “Weapons.”
Netflix’s global mega-hit musical “K-pop Demon Hunters” won best animated feature and best song.
Period horror film, “Sinners,” which is also a major contender for many of this season’s top prizes, had to settle for best original screenplay, young actor, score, and casting and ensemble.
