Mera Al Qassim opens "Features Without Shadows" exhibition at ACC

A unique artistic vision

The exhibition showcased around 60 small-sized paintings, which Mera Al Qassimi painted in a free, non-traditional style. Drawing inspiration from folk and intuitive art, the works focused primarily on female faces without shadows—a concept reflecting how memories of certain faces fade over time but leave a lasting emotional impression. She also painted flowers in pots, combining abstraction with vivid color to evoke nostalgic emotion and quiet joy.

Memory, emotion, and cultural identity

Mera Al Qassim explained that her paintings stem from personal memories and emotional intuition. She said:

“It’s not the artist’s role to explain the artwork. These pieces are left to the interpretation of the viewer. I don’t start with a specific idea; instead, the colors and shapes come as I paint, guided by feeling. These are indeed features without shadows—flowers and faces from memory that express a past deeply important to me.”

Praise from cultural leaders

Dr Omar Abdulaziz commented on the artist’s style, noting its connection to renowned figures like Amedeo Modigliani, who explored the emotional depth of faces, and Piet Mondrian, known for his vibrant, harmonious color schemes. He said Al Qassimi added her own expressive voice to the visual arts, shaped by her background in poetry and literature.

Dr Abdulaziz Al-Musallam shared his thoughts as well: “I have known Mera Al Qassim for over thirty years. She is a poet, journalist, and now a visual artist. Her paintings reflect poetic expression through color and shape. This exhibition speaks to the heart and mirrors the intimacy of her poetry.”

A multi-talented Emirati artist

Mera Al Qassim is a distinguished visual artist, poet, and journalist. She has written for leading UAE publications such as Al Ittihad, Al Bayan, and Emarat Al Youm, and held editorial positions including Head of Popular Culture at Al Mar’a Al Youm magazine. Her poems have been performed by renowned Emirati singers, and she is a long-time member of the UAE Writers and Authors Union.

She has participated in several art exhibitions, including Sustainable Tomorrow at Zayed University and Three Artistic Visions during the Abu Dhabi Book Fair.