YUROZ Art Goes to Dubai
Yuroz, through his art, hopes to build a strong bridge of communication between The West and the Middle East. During his recent group show at the Cuadro Fine Art Gallery, which is in the heart of Dubai’s financial hub, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Yuroz stated. “Art is one of the best ways to break through the communication barriers between people from different countries and religious groups. Art creates an environment where we learn about our differences and feel comfortable enough to share them. Through an art form, we are able to find the common ground that connects all of us in spite of our differences.” Yuroz shared. “For an artist, it is both an exciting and extraordinary time to be a part of this city and the entire region. For me personally, it is a challenge. Can I learn and feel what they feel, can I find the values that I can relate to, can I find inspiration in this culture, which would then trigger new ideas and paintings? Will I be able to tell their story to the West, and share their story from the Middle East?” he wondered. “After many months of research and eventually having a chance to introduce the paintings in the Cuadro Gallery with Dubai collectors and art lovers, I believe it went very well!”
November 4th was the gala opening of the Cuadro Gallery. The show was organized by Bruce Helander, well known art critic ,writher and an artist. The evening was mixed with Middle Eastern warmth and hospitality and shared with artists and collectors from all over the world. Among the visitors, there were many dignitaries, including Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, the DIFC Governor. They were especially moved with Yuroz, recent painting “The beginning of the journey” which is from a new
collection of paintings Yuroz has created to honor the beauty, the people, and the history of the Middle East .
Cuadro Gallery spans two floors and seven distinct gallery units. Aside from selling art by international powerhouses, the gallery also describes itself as a museum and a teaching base for young enterprising minds entering the art industry today.
“We represent everything that DIFC encompasses – financial security for your investment and the birth of a new vision for this country by facilitating growth,” says Cuadro Managing Partner Bashar Al Shroogi. “Our growth, of course, provides stability to the cultural landscape and the surge towards an art revolution of sorts.”
A former architect who nurtured this ambition with the help of his mother, Al Shroogi moved from Barcelona to Dubai to set up Cuadro, and eventually, facilitate a dialogue in art.
Speaking at the opening of Art Space, Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, DIFC Governor and Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, echoed these sentiments, saying: “As part of developing itself into a global cultural hub, Dubai has undertaken several initiatives to nurture art in the Middle East. Contemporary art in the region has recently gained a high international profile by virtue of the exceptional creative work here.
“The Middle East has been identified as one of the world’s most exciting emerging art markets. By promoting art galleries, DIFC seeks to support such initiatives to harness this artistic energy.”
Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, DIFC Governor, with Yuroz explaining his recent painting “The Beginning of the Journey” which was based on Yuroz’ research on Middle East.
