Opening of the Solo Exhibition ‘Thuraya’ by Faezeh Mohammed Hassan
On June 20, the vibrant cultural scene of the UAE witnessed the opening of Thuraya, a remarkable solo exhibition by Sharjah-based artist Faezeh Mohammed Hassan. Held amid anticipation and admiration, the opening night drew art enthusiasts, cultural figures, and supporters of Emirati heritage to celebrate a body of work that bridges memory, architecture, and celestial symbolism. The host of the exhibition is Moghadasi Gallery nested in Al Quoz.
Named after the revered star cluster that once guided travelers across the desert and sea, Thuraya reflects Faezeh’s profound engagement with the landscapes, history, and identity of the Emirates. This exhibition is not only an artistic presentation but also a meditation on belonging, legacy, and transformation.
Through oil and acrylic on canvas, Faezeh Hassan explores the architectural soul of the seven Emirates. From the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the timeworn wind towers of Al Bastakiyah, each painting is an invitation to step into layers of memory, where light, pigment, and structure reveal stories of endurance and evolution.
More than just static images of landmarks, her works are living archives — textured with the presence of those who built with their hands, guided by the stars, and shaped by the rhythm of desert winds and maritime tides. In her artistic vocabulary, coral stone becomes memory, gypsum reflects delicate craftsmanship, and towering minarets ascend like silent prayers.
The choice of the name Thuraya is particularly symbolic, as the star cluster traditionally reappears in Gulf skies each June, marking a season of renewal. Likewise, this exhibition represents a renewal of cultural dialogue — a reconnection with ancestral wisdom and architectural beauty.
Faezeh Mohammed Hassan has long been known for her sensitive, almost archaeological approach to painting, layering pigment like layers of history. With Thuraya, she offers viewers not only a visual experience but also a journey — through space, through time, and through the heart of the Emirati spirit.
As visitors explored each canvas, from the towering Burj Khalifa painted with symbolic reverence to the quiet majesty of Sharjah Fort, it became clear that Thuraya is more than an exhibition. It is a celestial map of memory, guiding viewers through the spaces that shaped a nation, illuminated by a vision deeply rooted in tradition yet alive with contemporary resonance.
For those who missed the opening, Thuraya remains on view, inviting all to reconnect with the architecture of memory and the poetry of form that defines the UAE’s living heritage.
Read: Folk Arts – A Global Bond
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Courtesy: Sands and City Magazine
Photo: Ana Stjelja
