About Meem
Overview
Since its launch in 2007, Meem Gallery has established itself as a leading specialist in the Arab and Iranian art world. The gallery’s aim is to promote the work of modern and contemporary Middle Eastern artists, and inspire viewers to engage with, and gain a deeper appreciation for, the art of this region. Meem’s strength lies in its unparalleled access to both private and public collections of the world’s leading artists. In its first year, the gallery distinguished itself by gaining exclusive representation rights in Dubai for the work of Ali Omar Ermes and Nja Mahdaoui, bringing their art to the Emirates for the first time. Other prominent artists exhibited at Meem include Dia Al-Azzawi, pioneer of modern Arab art; eminent sculptor, Parviz Tanavoli; internationally acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Abbas Kiarostami; leading Turkish artist Ismail Acar; respected Gulf artist Abdullah Al-Muharraqi; and the rising star of the contemporary Arab art world, Hamza Bounoua.
Commitment to Arts Education
In addition to exhibiting important modern and contemporary works, Meem encourages a greater understanding of Arab art through its publications, the Noor Library of Islamic Art, and contributions to the development of arts education.
In conjunction with every exhibition held at Meem a catalogue raisonné is produced in English and Arabic, providing viewers with a valuable resource on the artists and works displayed at the gallery. The Noor Library of Islamic Art, in Meem Gallery, is regarded as the largest resource centre for the arts of the Islamic world in the region. To date, the library houses a collection of 3,500 books, journals, and auction catalogues relating to Islamic and modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art.
The library is part of Al Noor Institute of Middle Eastern Art (NIMEA, nimea.net), a non-profit institute initiated in 2002. NIMEA is dedicated to the archiving and promotion of Middle Eastern art and material culture, and aims to enhance the study and research of the arts of the region through the production of bilingual publications, educational programmes (lectures, seminars and panel discussions), and by working with leading art historians, museums and academic institutions, artists and galleries.
In January 2007, Meem Gallery went into partnership with MontBlanc and Time Out to establish the MontBlanc Meem Lecture Series-the first series of free educational lectures devoted to Arabic culture and modern Arab art for the people of Dubai. Meem has shown its commitment to the support of local art programmes by providing gallery space for students from the American University of Dubai, American University of Sharjah, Zayed University, and Latifa College.
In March 2010, Meem Gallery received the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards for its commitment to the support of the arts in Dubai.
Charitable Involvement
Meem is involved with both local and international charities. At the 2007 DIFC Gulf Art Fair (now known as Art Dubai), a large proportion of funds raised came from Meem through artwork the gallery donated and organised for the sale. Meem donated 50% of sales raised during the Fair to the Start Programme, a charitable organisation that has founded a series of art programmes for children in refugee camps, set up by The Al Madad Foundation. Meem also supports The Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre in Dubai, UNICEF Emergency Appeal for the Children of Iraq, UNICEF Emergency Appeal for the Children of Palestine, MAIC (Medical Aid for Iraqi Children), MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians), and The Al-Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs.
Management
Sultan Bin Saud Al Qassemi, Chairman of Meem; Sultan is also Chairman of Barjeel Securities and is the Chairman of Young Arab Leaders UAE Chapter.
Mishal Hamed Kanoo, Partner of Meem; Kanoo is Deputy Chairman of The Kanoo Group, one of the largest independent, family owned, companies in the Gulf Region.
Charles Pocock, Managing Partner of Meem Gallery, Founder of Noor Islamic Art, Adviser to ADMAF, Fellow of The Royal Asiatic Society, Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society and Special Adviser to Skira.
Noura Haggag, Creative Director; Haggag is responsible for the art design of all projects related to Meem, most notably the gallery’s publications which are produced in conjunction with Meem’s exhibitions. She holds a bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Graphic Design and Visual Communication from the American University in Dubai.
Samar Faruqi, Director of Research; Faruqi joined Meem in March 2009. She has a BA Honours in History of Art from Goldsmiths College, London, and an MPhil in History of Art from the University of Cambridge, where she received a distinction for her dissertation on John Frederick Lewis’ harem paintings.
Meem Gallery Information:
Tel : + 971 4 347 7883Fax : + 971 4 340 1640
E-Mail : info@meemartgallery.com website: http://www.meemartgallery.com
