The fifth edition of the SIKKA Art Fair, an artist-led fair of fully commissioned works, organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) marked a record turnout of over 12,000 visitors, in addition to over 500 art lovers taking part in 38 specialised art workshops. Led by popular demand, the artworks that are part of the fair will be exhibited at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the home of SIKKA, until April 9.

SIKKA Art Fair was the flagship event that opened the second Dubai Art Season, the umbrella arts initiative by Dubai Culture, which also included Art Dubai and Design Days Dubai. Dubai Art Season will continue through April with an even wider range of activities that will be announced by Dubai Culture shortly.

A highlight of the 5^th SIKKA Art Fair were activation of art events including visual arts projects, music and live performances, video art and workshops. In all, 30 stage performances were held during the fair that welcomed hundreds of visitors every day, especially at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, the bustling cultural nerve-centre of Dubai.

Underlining the growth in popularity of SIKKA and the robust response it has generated among the artist community, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, has expanded its remit to include commissioned works by GCC-based artists in its next edition in 2016.

Open for the public, SIKKA hosted an impressive line-up of 60 Emirati and UAE-based artists, in addition to three collectives and two arts initiatives this year. Works by more than 20 Emirati artists were featured at SIKKA including by Dr. Najat Mekki and Abdul Qader Al Rais.

The showcase was curated by Jamal Luqman, an Emirati mixed media artist, with over two decades of experience and credited with introducing digital art to the UAE in 1996. An advocate for the progression of Emirati artists and with several initiatives to promote arts in the UAE, Luqman is a highly accomplished mixed-media artist who draws on his understanding of traditional media along with digital paints. He has impeccable credentials in transforming metals, wood and other common materials into pieces of art that transcend the limits of the frame. As the first Emirati digital artist, first freelance graphic designer and first contracted Emirati website designer, he drew on his cutting edge insights into the art scene of the UAE for curating SIKKA.

SIKKA featured collectives by Design House, Sarah Alagroobi & Noor Jarrah, and Farah Al Amin & Nada Waleed, which explored multidisciplinary art forms including design and installations.  Two landmark initiatives were also showcased at SIKKA – ‘Engaging Territories’ by Zayed University and The Animation Chamber, which celebrates Arabian folktales.

A number of workshops were held as part of SIKKA including art workshops, calligraphy shows, poetry evenings, discussions on animation, filmmaking workshops, gypsum carving, drama workshop and box painting installation, among others. Artists-in-Residence (A.i.R) Dubai, a dedicated contemporary art programme that includes immense emphasis on visual arts, provided open studios during SIKKA for artists to display their works.

The participating artists and visitors had high praise for the fair, with Jalal Bin Thaneya, one of the artists, observing: “SIKKA gave me the motivation and platform to exhibit my work confidently. It provided me the opportunity to meet with other artists and those who appreciated art. The environment and organisation of the event was in line with Dubai’s vision to support Emirati artists.”

Artist Amna Jawad said: “SIKKA was an extraordinary experience. I met and made connections with many people and it is an amazing feeling to see your work appreciated and shared in social media. It has also been a learning experience, as I gained new insights from people I met in the fair and taught people things through my artwork.”

Nahel Selo observed that “SIKKA offered a great chance to meet other emerging artists,” highlighting the grassroots level art engagement it fosters, while Hatem Hatem, added that “having a public crowd to interact with and get feedback” was inspiring. Laura McNabb found the “space creatively inspiring.”

SIKKA also gained positive response from the public, with comments ranging from “SIKKA opens up my mind to possibilities,” and “forever a part of my heart – SIKKA,” posted by the visitors on the guest wall.

SIKKA draws its name from the alleyways between the historic houses of Dubai, and serves as a metaphor that befits the young and upcoming artists who seek to establish their creative and professional paths through their participation in the fair. The sixth edition of SIKKA Art Fair will be held as part of the third Dubai Art Season in March 2016.