Meet Fatma Lootah, an exceptional name in the Arab art world and perhaps one of the most important UAE cultural and art ambassadors internationally.
This month, four of her evocative works are on view at RARARES Gallery in DIFC’s Gate Village, as part of the exhibition Elysian Awakening. The show runs through to 31 August 2025.
Alongside Lootah, the exhibition, which celebrates the strength, resilience, and creativity of female artists, also showcases works by Emirati talent Sara Alkhayyal and international artists Barbara Duran, Natalie Katwal, and Zeina Abdullah.
The exhibition reimagines the concept of spring as a transformative force, mirroring the feminine essence, a rebellious, and untamed state of becoming.
Lootah’s work expertly navigates the intersection of tradition and modernity, using cultural symbols to represent the resilience of women in the Gulf region and bridge the past with the present.
On May 8, visitors to Rares Gallery had a special opportunity to engage directly with Fatma Lootah in an insightful and inspiring session, moderated by Chimere Cisse, a global arts consultant and the Founder of Art Korero in the UAE.
During the discussion, Lootah offered profound personal insights into her artistic journey and philosophy.
Born in 1954, and raised in Dubai, Fatma studied at the Art Academy of Baghdad and later moved to Washington DC to further her art education.
"Even as a child, I wanted to be an artist. And I am so lucky that when I said to my family, when I was 16 and a half, that I want to go to Baghdad to study art, no one told me no. That was a real blessing. I thank God…," Lootah recounted, highlighting the early support that shaped her path.
During the session, Lootah highlighted her piece titled ‘The Aunt Kiss’, which beautifully depicts the art and tradition of henna. She explained the ritual where an aunt kisses a bride-to-be’s knee after henna is applied to her hands and feet, noting the significant cultural connections this art form shares across many South Asian countries.
She passionately discussed her commitment to social subjects, integrating global issues into her work. "I do many social subjects like what's going on in the world, like what's going on in Gaza and Iraq, Syria, Egypt etc. A real artist is supposed to be caring about these things."
She articulated a strong belief in art's inherent giving nature, stating, "Maybe how many paintings are sold in all my life, you can count it on your fingers.... Art is supposed to give, not take."
She went on to elaborate the deep connection between art and conceptual thought, emphasising the energy that fuels her creativity.
"I love Maria Callas and Bach... This type of music gives me the power," she revealed, illustrating how diverse cultural elements inspire her practice.
Lootah challenged the audience to engage with art on an intuitive level: "Just go close to the painting and feel that energy."
Born and raised in Dubai, Fatma Lootah began her artistic studies at the Art Academy of Baghdad before pursuing further education in Washington DC.
Although she has resided in Verona, Italy, since the 1980s, she maintains a consistent connection to her roots, regularly returning to Dubai to work in her studio, House 35 in the historical Al Fahidi neighbourhood.
This studio was a gift to her in 2010 from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who recognised her talent after visiting one of her solo exhibitions.
Lootah's distinguished career, which once included performance art, now primarily focuses on abstract art and installations.
Her work has earned international recognition, exhibited in countries including Italy, France, the UAE, Austria, Morocco, and the USA. Notably, her art was featured in New York's iconic Times Square as part of the Nasdaq Artist in Residence project.
Featured works by Fatma Lootah in ‘Elysian Awakening’
Visitors to the exhibition have the opportunity to experience four of Lootah's compelling pieces:
The exhibition also features works from other talented artists contributing to the diverse expressions of womanhood: Sara Alkhayyal: Her dynamic compositions explored themes of liberation and transformation, capturing women's inner strength.
Barbara Duran: Duran's work used various mediums to reflect women's emotional and physical experiences, inviting contemplation on the complexities of womanhood.
Zeina Abdullah: Known for her intricate ceramics, Abdullah’s work explored identity, memory, and cultural connections, celebrating strength and vulnerability.
Natalie Katwal: Katwal's pieces critiqued societal norms and championed personal freedom, analysing women's roles in today's world.
Visit: rararesgallery.com
Evangeline Elsa is a Dubai-based journalist with 15 years of experience. She enjoys telling success stories and writing on lifestyle, arts, interiors, F&B, and Korean culture. A homebody at heart, she paints, sings, reads Substacks, and dotes on her rescue dog, Pepper.
