Arada and University of Sharjah team up to create public art at Aljada
News: 7 October 2024
Arada and the University of Sharjah (UoS)’s College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) have completed a year-long collaboration, which has resulted in the creation of a series of public artworks that are set to go on display at the Nest student housing complex at Sharjah megaproject Aljada.
The artworks were produced by CFAD students and shown at an exhibition at Aljada in early October, with two murals selected by Arada’s creative team to be installed permanently adjacent to the Nest swimming pool and basketball court.
The criteria for selecting the winning designs, which were created by students Farah Bahaaeldin Barghash and Mariyam Al Helo, were aesthetic appeal, creativity and innovation, technical skill and cultural significance.
Completed by junior students in their Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 studios, the artwork shown at the exhibition included large-scale abstract paintings and sculptures, as well as site-specific illustrations for walls.
Melissa Bayik, Senior Creative Director, Arada, said: “Actively supporting the arts and supporting local artists allows us to harness the potential of our communities.
“By placing emphasis on community engagement, well-being, and a profound sense of belonging, we are working to enhance the aesthetic appeal of our spaces for residents and visitors, as well as creating spaces that are vibrant, sustainable, and culturally rich.”
The event to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, entitled ‘Shifting Perspectives’, was attended by a number of senior officials from UoS and Arada, including Professor Yousif Haik, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Professor Nadia Alhasani, Dean of CFAD; Professor Jairo A. Lugo-Ocando, Dean of College of Communication, and Amit Arora, Chief Operating Officer, Arada.
