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Breathing Stones, by Janet Bellotto.
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
The Italian Cultural Institute of Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises (CACE) at Zayed University, is presenting ‘Here We Are’, a visionary, research-based exhibition displayed at the Institute’s diplomatic premises (Oct. 24 – Nov. 7). Participating artists include Emiratis Afra Al Dhaheri, Asma Belhamar and Salama Nasib. Other artists are Francesca Sorcinelli, Luca Donner, Husna Samer, loannis Galanopoulos, Papavasileiou, Janet Bellotto, Kasia Dzikowska, Maitha Al Omaira, Marco, Angelini, Omair Faizullah, and Tala Atrouni. ‘Here We Are’ unfolds like a conversation between time and place, capturing the essence of living both at home and abroad, exploring the concept of feeling at home within oneself, one’s work, and one’s environment. It draws attention to how each artist — living and working amidst the mostly shifting landscapes of a multicultural setting — express their experiences through textures, colours, and impressions. The works speak of belonging and displacement, reflecting the identities that emerge when living between cultures.
Over time, it inevitably enriches personal identities, becoming integral to character, adding value and perhaps fostering a sense of responsibility to give back to the communities that have assisted identity formation. In the UAE, rapid urban growth is paralleled by the slower rhythms of tradition; the dynamic is central to the exhibition. The artists approach time not as a fixed concept, but as something fluid and malleable — stretching, collapsing, and repetitive. The works reveal how memories and moments are woven into the fabric of everyday life, evoking nostalgia of the relatively fixed past while simultaneously embracing the uncertainty of the future, but always optimistic of the time ahead.
Gulf Today spoke to Janet Bellotto, a multidisciplinary Italian-Canadian artist, educator and writer from Toronto, based in Dubai. She is the Dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University. Bellotto is involved in curatorial projects that promote cultural exchange.
How has living and working in the UAE impacted you as an artist?
It has offered me unique opportunities to explore and research the area in ways I might not have experienced otherwise. The contrasting landscapes — from sprawling deserts to futuristic skylines — have enriched my perspective as an artist, inviting me to consider new dialogues between ecology and urban development. I quickly became an advocate for the burgeoning art scene, and found ways to build bridges across diverse creative communities, while further developing my own practice.
Is there conflict or confluence in your art life between your Canadian background and the Emirati present?
This is a complex question. As a Canadian — an Italian-Canadian — culture has always been central to my personal and professional life. Growing up in a multicultural city like Toronto, connected to Italy’s rich and complex history, and now adapting to a different cultural experience here in the UAE, has been deeply rewarding. I’ve found commonalities within a global perspective, and the UAE’s openness and respect for diversity have only enhanced this journey. In many ways, my background and the Emirati present don’t conflict; they enrich each other, revealing new layers of connection and understanding in my work. Like water, my artwork is a rich confluence of experiences — a blending of histories, places, and perspectives that flow together.
Doesn’t multiculturalism dilute national character?
I would disagree. Multiculturalism is an ecosystem and an understanding of multiple ways of living within a built environment, where both tangible and intangible elements coexist. Rather than diluting national character, it can strengthen it by creating bridges between diverse perspectives. Multicultural environments serve as unique intersections, merging local and global identities to challenge and enrich artistic practice. Working at Zayed University and living in the UAE, I am fortunate to collaborate with professionals from varied cultural backgrounds. Multicultural societies intersect, adapt, and grow, contributing to a broader, more resilient sense of identity.
What is the message and meaning of this exhibition to a world pushing back “foreign” cultures?
This exhibition speaks to the importance of diversity, the potential of how we may look at things differently; it may ultimately speak to a more united future. Exhibitions – this one in particular – serve as a unifying force by enabling diverse perspectives to present themselves, offering insights into a shared future shaped by varied experiences and backgrounds. Art and design communicate, and if we learned anything from the pandemic, something like an exhibition enriches our lives. It is there to inspire. It is an essential role in enhancing empathy, fostering shared experiences and healing. It is the core of cultural diplomacy. I am an advocate for art exhibitions and cultural events that promote cross-cultural understanding, by showcasing diverse perspectives.
Since you teach art, according to you, how does being third culture children influence their art?
I cannot speak on behalf of students, but what I’ve observed is that learning and practicing art offers them a profound opportunity to connect with their past. Through art, they delve into their own traditions, culture and surrounding landscape, often drawing inspiration from stories passed down by their grandparents.These narratives not only provide a meaningful foundation, but also offer a lens through which they envision and create for the future. I’ve said this before, that art can be a second language — a medium through which students reinterpret cultural identity in a globalised world, positioning their own narrative. This creative process not only deepens their self-understanding, but also fosters cultural dialogue, bridging local histories in a global context, and enriching both in the exchange.
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