Photogram Technique

        History is resplendent with genius practitioners who have developed various techniques or style that have become a part of art history. The photogram is the first basic from of photography, named Light drawing by William Fox Talbot. A photogram is a photographic image created without a camera or a lens by the principle of placing an object on top of piece of paper coated with light-sensitive materials and then exposing the paper to light in the darkroom. The process is part art, part science, and part alchemy and the outcome is a magical blend of these features, never present in the same proportions and containing reflective and dispersive elements of the original objects caused by the interaction of light with the objects involved in the process. The final stage is to adom it with embellishment using local stones and beads with careful consideration to composition and balance.

            Sheikha Fatima’s artwork stems from her national pride and fortitude in preserving the Emirati identity internationally. In this modern globalized world, Sheikha Fatima observed how many nations are losing their identities, while the Emirati dress and abaya stand strong in maintaining the country’s core identity, values and traditions. Sheikha Fatima intends for her current work to introduce the UAE dress and abaya as invaluable pieces of art and a source of national pride and originality. The work delivers abstract silhouettes painted with light and embellished with beautiful jewellery to highlight the intricate details of the abaya art and its role in preserving the country’s identity.

Exhibition Statement

            Maintaining the identity of the Emirates, its culture, and traditions have been the utmost priority of Sheikha Fatima Bint Hazza. For her debut solo exhibition, Sheikha Fatima was keen to utilize the unique technique of "Photogram" as a mean for Emirati women to deliver their artistic expressions.  Lured by the sheer beauty and magnificence of this whole process, Sheikha Fatima's  Photograms  celebrate the art and intricacy of the traditional dress "Jalabiya" and Emirati Abaya in their symbolic dimension and sensual form. This exhibition is a tribute to national pride and a celebration of identity and individuality in the UAE culture.