Abu Dhabi ,UAE invite artists from across the world to come together on an intercultural and interactive platform offering a one month residency to individual emerging or established artists. It was the first time they had invited African American artists and I was one of three to participate in State department sponsored NYUniversity program and experience life in the UAE,  The culmination to creating 6 large paintings was a final exhibition opening attended American Embassy personnel,  representative from UAE, and other guests.   There were limitations on the kind of painting I could do...political, religious painting and nudes were out ...but then why not figure out how to use limitations.
The relief "Golden Buddha" was prior to Abu Dhabi, but I include it because materially it relates to some other ideas during that time.
  • prayer.jpg
    prayer.jpg
    Prayer 60"x50" mixed media.
  • grandmosque.jpg
    grandmosque.jpg
    The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is quite impressive. This painting is mixed media 60"h x 50"w(sequin stars, gold fabric) and is an interpretation.
  • mcdonald'soasis.jpg
    mcdonald'soasis.jpg
    McDonald's is everywhere. This is just a play on the traditional dress and a contemporary icon of America's vast reach into cultures. painting is 60" x50" acrylic on canvas
  • BP1.jpg
    BP1.jpg
    Another corporate entity BP producing oil. The towers dot the landscape of Abu Dhabi's desert.
  • desertsandstorm1.jpg
    desertsandstorm1.jpg
    A woman sitting on the edge of Empty Quarters. A desert that is 12 miles from Saudi Arabia. We trekked through the desert and had breakfast on the sand dunes before the heat came and the sandstorm. Painting is acrylic 50w x 60l.
  • woman w mickey.jpg
    woman w mickey.jpg
    I was sitting in the airport when a woman and her daughter came to sit down. The child handed her mom a red balloon. The contrast of the chador and the balloon caught my eyes. It was first a sketch. The painting is 50"w x 60" acrylic on canvas.
  • galleryabudhabiarthub.jpg
    galleryabudhabiarthub.jpg
    Final Exhibition of works in the Art Hub Gallery in Abu Dhabi. They keep all of the work.
  • goldenbudha.jpg
    goldenbudha.jpg
    Golden Buddha-2016-17 (cast wax, encaustic, beads, sequins,fabric) 12"x12" This piece relates to some of the earlier experimentation with medium.
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