With the aim of boosting the Emirate’s burgeoning art scene, Mall of the Emirates, which is owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim –  the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia – is hosting Art from the Heart, a photo gallery that will explore the various facets of Ramadan. The galleries are in collaboration with three key community-centred organisations that are committed to the arts – Dubai-based photography centre Gulf Photo Plus, the Special Photographers Programme by Asateer Events and the mall’s luxury store Etoile “La boutique” from May 24 until June 16.

From May 28 until June 6, the Art from the Heart exhibition, located in the mall’s Luxury Wing on Level 1, will display Ramadan-themed, stylised photographs highlighting Etoile “La boutique’s” latest collection taken by three emerging professional photographers chosen for their fresh, fashionable and street style perspectives by Gulf Photo Plus and Mall of the Emirates.

From June 7 until June 16, the Art of the Heart exhibition will shine a spotlight on the photography talents of people of determination – who are a part of the Special Photographers Programme by Asateer Events – with photos that portray the distinctive architecture and Ramadan décor of the mall through their lens.

Programme of Events

May 28 – June 6

Ramadan through the creative vision of emerging photographers  

Mashael Al Saie, Augustine Paredes and Sandra Catarina Ferreira, handpicked by Gulf Photo Plus, were tasked with portraying unique pieces from Etoile “La boutique” in a series that explores themes connected to the Holy Month. Five images from each artist will be featured in the exhibition until June 2.

A competition held concurrently on social media will invite the mall’s followers to vote for their favourite images, and the person who took the winning image will receive a Mall GiftCard.

June 7 – June 16

Mall of the Emirates through the lens of people of determination

Mall of the Emirates will celebrate the Year of Zayed by giving a group of young people of determination an opportunity to showcase their photography skills. The budding photographers will record distinctive elements of Mall of the Emirates’ interior, such as Ramadan decor and architectural details.

The exhibition is in partnership with Asateer Events, which runs the Special Photography Programme. Asateer offers employment opportunities and creative activities to people of determination. The organisation was founded by Dubai resident Mohamed Younes, a special needs educationalist and photographer from Egypt. Its ‘Special Photographer’ project, launched in 2012, is for service users who have shown promise in photography. All undertake training tailored to their abilities and are supported with a programme of excursions, exhibitions and more.