From the desert sands of the UAE to the glass of Murano

The vibrant colours of the desert’s glistening, glass-like grains of sand provide the inspiration for this landmark series of works, titled Travel of Love, by the Emirati artist Jamal Habroush Al Suwaidi. 

In this seminal collection, the Emirati artist Jamal Habroush Al Suwaidi uses an authentic and previously untapped medium to celebrate the glistening, glass-like specks of colour embedded in the sand that have caught his eye over the years during walks in the desert.

“Love” series – Murano transports us to the legendary Murano glass workshops in Venice, where the artist stayed between 2016-2017, studying the specialist methods used by the Venetian, before putting them into practice himself.

The result is a delightful, delicate series that showcases Al Suwaidi’s signature free-flowing, intricate, inspired by the Arabic Calligraphy, using the fragile medium of Murano glass.

“Love” series – Murano marks a different direction for the artist who brought with it a raft of new challenges, but simultaneously, great satisfaction. 

By mastering the complicated and painstaking traditional techniques of the Murano glassmakers, Al Suwaidi became the first artist from the region to work with this difficult medium and use it to create sculptures inspired by Arabic letters. 

The works shimmer and shine in vibrant colour as they dance in the light, reminding us of the multi-hued, miniscule glass pieces embedded in the sand that provided the inspiration for the series. Each sculpture is positioned on a curved base reminiscent of the waves that the sand forms in the desert.

Commenting, Al Suwaidi admitted that these works were significantly more challenging than any of his past projects. “The glass was extremely difficult to work with, especially when it came to integrating the Arabic Letters,” he said. “It was essential that their shape was correct and that the balance was perfected. Many pieces were broken in the making and before I was satisfied with the final results.” 

Unsurprisingly, the series has proved extremely popular with collectors worldwide. One buyer explained the deeply emotive effect that the glasswork had on her by saying: “I fell in love with ‘LOVE Dancing’ the moment I laid eyes on it. I’d never seen anything like it, and to this day it brings me immense joy every time I look at it. It is an honour to own such a beautiful and unique piece of art by AL SUWAIDI.” 

About Jamal Habroush Al Suwaidi

An Emirati artist, Al Suwaidi was born in 1971. His interest in art was evident at an early age and he began entering art competitions organized in his hometown aged 14. After graduating from high school, he attended the Sharjah Art Institute and took courses in drawing, sculpting and ceramics. Al Suwaidi’s work is influenced heavily by his relationship with the environment of his birthplace, from its rich history and heritage to the dramatic changes it has undergone in more recent years on so many levels. The country’s natural beauty and legacy, weighed against the current regional turmoil, combine to provide inspiration for his expressionism and abstraction. Al Suwaidi is represented by the Habroush Art Foundation. Al Suwaidi’s works can be found in numerous private and public collections, including the Olympic Museum, the National Art Museum of China, OPEC, UNHCR, Dubai International Airport etc…