Emirati Artist Almaha Jaralla’s Exhibition “Seham” Explores Nostalgia and Family Dynamics of the Eighties

Dubai-based Emirati artist Almaha Jaralla is hosting her latest exhibition titled “Seham” at Tabari Art Space in Dubai, aiming to evoke a warm and welcoming atmosphere in an art gallery. The exhibition features an old-fashioned majlis, complete with floral wallpaper, where visitors are invited to sit and immerse themselves in the artwork.The inspiration for Jaralla’s paintings came from her great-aunt, Seham, who captured photographs in Abu Dhabi during the Eighties. Seham, the aunt of Jaralla’s father, had a resilient and serious character, yet her snapshots offered glimpses into simpler times filled with face-to-face interactions and creative outings. These images spurred Jaralla to explore her father’s generation from the women’s perspective, leading her to engage with female family members, including her great-grandmother, to understand their experiences during that era.The paintings depict various aspects of life in Abu Dhabi during the Eighties, including beach trips, family gatherings, and creative outings. Jaralla’s work reflects the family dynamics of that time and the changing landscape and environment. She captures scenes of children playing at the sea, uncles barbecuing, and aunties strolling along the old corniche of Abu Dhabi, which has since been demolished.One of the places her family used to frequent was a remote area called Al-Shelaylah, now a beach between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. They would set up tents there, exploring and discovering the country in a time when options for outings were limited. Jaralla’s paintings beautifully capture these moments, offering a nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era.Born in the Nineties, Jaralla recalls how Abu Dhabi was bustling with traffic, noise, and construction during her childhood. She particularly highlights the significance of Al-Maqta Bridge, built in 1968, which marked the beginning of the city’s construction and connected the mainland to the islands. In one of her paintings, she portrays the bridge in an isolated, purple-colored mode from a bird’s eye view, reflecting its historical importance.Most of Jaralla’s paintings are done in light colors with faded faces, emulating the reddish and blueish filters of Seham’s old snapshots. While creating the artwork, Jaralla didn’t feel nostalgic herself, but she found the experience to be cathartic. The paintings allowed her to connect with her family, discuss memories, and gain a deeper understanding of how people change over time.The “Seham” exhibition runs until September 1 at Tabari Art Space in Dubai, offering viewers a chance to connect with the past, explore family dynamics, and appreciate the evolution of their surroundings in Abu Dhabi during the Eighties.