Salama Al Mazrouei is reimagining Emirati heritage through portraiture

Emirati artist Salama Al Mazrouei is revolutionizing the way Emirati heritage is portrayed through portraiture. After years of producing realistic portraits, Al Mazrouei began incorporating elements of Emirati heritage, such as gold leaf, magazines, traditional fabrics, and foliage, into her work. She wanted to introduce innovative ideas while still expressing Emirati heritage.

Al Mazrouei's paintings often feature realistically rendered figures set against layered, patterned surfaces. This approach has gained her recognition, leading to international exhibitions, including one in Paris and the XVI Florence Biennale in 2027. She has held over 100 exhibitions and events in the UAE and abroad, graduating from United Arab Emirates University with a fine arts degree.

Al Mazrouei's practice combines abstraction with realism and mixed media, resulting in paintings that can evolve from one state to another. Her recent work explores the layers of life in the UAE using unprimed canvas, colored by the artist herself, which she then builds up with various materials. This method pushes the boundaries of traditional representation while retaining a connection to Emirati identity.

Her exhibitions often spark conversations about the UAE's culture and art scene, allowing visitors to learn about traditions beyond the well-known Dubai. Al Mazrouei acknowledges the growing trend of digital art among younger Emirati artists but believes that working with physical materials is essential for true artistic expression.

Al Mazrouei encourages artists to move beyond conventional subjects and explore new forms of expression. By integrating traditional Emirati elements with abstraction, pattern, and mixed media, she allows familiar subjects to take on new dimensions, ultimately expanding the boundaries of Emirati heritage representation.