Exhibiting the brilliance of little stars

Exhibiting the brilliance of little stars Sarah Young / 5 July 2013 An exhibition this weekend featuring works of artists as young as six, will showcase what parents say is an integral part of developing their children’s personality in the age of technology. The ‘Seven Artists, One Place’ exhibition being held today, organised by Urban Tribe Events, will feature paintings by children from Dubai and Sharjah, aged between six and nine, students of Iranian artist Afsoun Javadi, who is their private art teacher.  Sharjah parent Noor Al Qassimi said the exhibition was a chance for her daughters Mahra, 8, and Alya, 6, “to shine”. They have been taking classes two or three times a week for two years. “Ever since they were scribbling all over my walls and doing their own art projects. I always felt their drawings had something to do with their personality, and I really wanted someone to explain what those drawings meant.” There are artists on both sides of their family, and Al Qassimi had always loved to draw so she began to take classes, which her children also joined soon after. It was wonderful to see her children improve and become more confident, with Alya having more of a classical art style, while Mahra “didn’t follow the rules”, she said. One of the artworks to be displayed at the exhibition.  “This is a very good way to express their feelings, personality…at school they have to follow rules, guidelines. They can’t be themselves.” “They just love it. Since they were kids, it’s been the only activity they wouldn’t scream or cry about. I tried everything from horse-riding to gymnastics…and the only teacher they would look forward to seeing was Afsoun. She has this calmness to her.” Many of her relatives’ children took art tuition, she said. “Art is very important — they do stuff with their hands — especially in this generation of technology and iPads. You don’t see anyone shining with their personality through them. ‘It’s this game, it’s not me’. The ‘me’ is hidden.” Dubai parent Samah Aldhahri has also been taking classes with Afsoun Javadi for about a year, and her son Saif Ahmad Alghurair, 9, started a few months ago. “We wanted to encourage him, to help boost his self-confidence and see he is capable of doing things. “Art has a huge value for his personality and his life. Every person has to have a hobby. It’s good to live life like that. “They do some at school, but not much, and it’s just the normal things.” Art was also a good alternative to television and technology, she said. “Since he was a baby I haven’t let him watch much TV. I would rather he play with things like play dough, animals, do creative and athletic things…it’s better for his personality. A lot of small boys are just always in the mall or on electronics. “His dad and I are so proud of his work.” Saif, whose favourite things to paint are horses, said while art would not be his main career – “I want to be a businessman, like my dad” – he would continue doing it for a long time. He was “very excited” to have people come and see his work. “It’s a cool thing. I love the classes, it’s really fun to learn new colours and things.” Javadi came to Dubai in the year 2000 to initially teach in schools and universities – where she could have up to 145 students at one time- and then decided to work with individuals. “I can focus on them more and we get better results in a shorter period. They can explore more. Each artist has completely different personality. I’m trying to help them find themselves, their own style, their own interests.” The exhibition was the result of about a year’s worth of work. “We want to show them what they can do with their art…motivate them to keep pursuing it.” Some of the paintings, which feature animals and self-portraits, will also be on sale at the exhibition being held from 6pm to 10pm at Warehouse No 2, Street 17, in Al Quoz Industrial Area 4. sarah@khaleejtimes.com . Taylor Scott International