Eman Al Hashemi looks to the sun in The Horizon We Inherit

The Horizon We Inherit, a new exhibition by Emirati artist Eman Al Hashemi, explores the recurring symbols and motifs that connect cultures across time and geography. The show, currently on display at Iris Projects in MiZa, Abu Dhabi, presents a diverse array of ceramics, printmaking, and mixed media pieces that delve into urban life, memory, and the symbols that persist across generations.

Al Hashemi's journey to create this exhibition began with a single image: the sun symbol she observed in Fujairah. This sparked her curiosity about sun symbols in other cultures, leading her to Kyrgyzstan where she encountered a similar solar symbol. This discovery prompted her to consider the broader question of why visual languages echo across distant places like the Gulf, Central Asia, Africa, and South America.

Throughout the exhibition, recurring motifs such as the sun, street lights, buildings, and roundabouts appear in sculptural forms that remain familiar yet lack clear identification. These elements are explored through various lenses, highlighting how infrastructure, movement, and redevelopment shape memory and what is left behind when a place changes or disappears.

Al Hashemi describes herself as a "collector of stories," gathering different narratives and observations from her surroundings to weave into her work. Her previous projects have focused on ordinary objects like spoons, mass production, and collaborative vessels, all centered around themes of modern-day living and human connection. In The Horizon We Inherit, she incorporates the sun and the built environment as vessels, representing their ability to hold energy and preserve significant aspects of life.

A notable shift in Al Hashemi's artistic approach is her newfound use of brighter colors, which she credits to the encouragement of the Iris Projects team. This change from her more muted work marks a new investigation for her, one that she describes as "exciting." She believes that each medium contributes something unique to the overall piece, with color playing a significant role in adding depth and intrigue.

Born in Dubai in 1993 and currently based between Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, Al Hashemi has a diverse background in ceramics, printmaking, painting, and installation. She earned her BA in Fine Arts from the University of Sharjah and an MFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design in the United States. Her interest in UAE art history deepened during her time abroad, leading her to study the works of local artists such as Hassan Sharif, whom she regards as a pioneer who "paved the way for everyone."

Al Hashemi hopes that visitors to The Horizon We Inherit will leave with questions rather than definitive answers. She aims to spark conversations and invite viewers to engage with the work on a deeper level. The exhibition runs until November 26 at Iris Projects, MiZa, Abu Dhabi.