Press Release

In collaboration with Gulf Capital, Abu Dhabi Festival encourages university undergraduates to aspire to excellence in creativity through the arts with the ‘Gulf Capital – ADMAF Creativity Award’. 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of this Award.

This year’s award of AED10,000 was presented to Fatma Fairooz, a visual arts student of Zayed University’s College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, for an oil on canvas portrait entitled ‘Katharina’. In 2013, Fairooz received first prize in the Fine Arts category of the Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award Competition for a work entitled ‘Dawn of the Cap’.

Inspired by her professor, Fairooz said, “In this painting, I present an oil portrait of Katharina, a professor at my college. Over a number of few weeks, I worked in class with Katharina sitting in front of us. At first, I found the technique of under-painting tough but in the end, I was able to understand the benefits. I chose an angle that is quite traditional, – almost classical – adding a slight contrast to Katharina in her modern clothes. The wooden flute, which expresses her passion for music as well as the way she holds it, highlights the beauty of her pregnancy. I chose a vibrant color for the background to give the painting contrast and a positive and calm essence. I wanted this painting to be as much about who Katharina is as possible. I wanted the essence of who she is to linger within the painting and to be projected to the viewer.”

Presented in association with Gulf Capital, the ADMAF Creativity Award was first introduced in 2004 in order to support young local talent at Abu Dhabi’s public universities. The Award focuses on emerging talent among young UAE creatives and recognizes the commitment of public education institutions in nurturing their abilities and creative skills. For the 2014 edition, the Award received 27 entries from universities across the UAE. Submissions included photography, visual arts, film, creative writing and comic works of art. The award ceremony will take place on May 5, 2014 at Zayed University’s Abu Dhabi campus.

H.E. Hoda I. Al Khamis – Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Abu Dhabi Festival reflected on the initiative, saying: “The Gulf Capital – ADMAF Creativity Award offers exceptional young Emirati creative minds the opportunity to showcase their talents and nourish their spirit of innovation through artistic expression. “

Dr. Karim El Solh, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Capital said: “Gulf Capital is delighted to be partnering with the ADMAF for the ADMAF Creativity Award 2014. As Abu Dhabi Festival’s ‘Education Partner’, we strongly believe in the importance of developing art and culture among future Emirati generations. “

Through the Abu Dhabi Festival as well as its year-round arts education and community arts programmes, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation invests in young people by fostering their creativity, skills, entrepreneurial spirit and appetite for innovation for the benefit of the UAE’s creative and cultural industries.