Meet visual artist from Dubai, Maisoon Al Saleh.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Around 15.8 million visitors came to Dubai based on the statistics from the year 2018 that excites me to get to meet various nationalities in one place! With a growing creative economy opens up doors for new galleries to open up, and investor’s, as well as a boost in art sales, is the perfect mix for me to grow in my artistic career. The city provided me the freedom of expression through my art and strong support from the UAE Government towards the art scene not just for Emirati nationals but as well as other nationalities whom are passionate in creating art and living in Dubai or across other emirates within UAE.

The city provided me the freedom of expression through my art and strong support from the UAE Government towards the art scene not just for Emirati nationals but as well as other nationalities whom are passionate in creating art and living in Dubai or across other emirates within UAE.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

Best: Technology, I get to do my work efficiently and quick as most of the services are online with a touch of a button without needing to run around nor wait in long lines to get something done.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

How did you start your career in art?

Since I was a child I was passionate about art, where I get over excited and end up scribbling on the house interior walls with crayons that drove my mother crazy.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes, I think it’s because I’ve been raised in an artistic family. My mother into fashion, my father a photographer and my aunt is a fine artist.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I’ve started a series called “The Year of Tolerance”, inspired by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, whom proclaimed the year 2019 to be the “The Year of Tolerance” in the UAE, highlighting the UAE as a global capital for tolerance, and emphasizing tolerance as a universal concept and a sustainable institutional endeavor through legislation and policies aimed at entrenching the values of tolerance, dialogue, coexistence and openness to different cultures, especially amongst youth, which will reflect positively on society as a whole.

I’ve started a series called “The Year of Tolerance”, inspired by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, whom proclaimed the year 2019 to be the “The Year of Tolerance” in the UAE

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

How would you describe the women around you?

Ambitious

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I haven’t faced any challenges of that sort as the UAE Government had always supported females to lead and grow in their career’s, I’m lucky and grateful to be in such a supportive environment.

To be passionate about what they do and never give up.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Photos courtesy of Maisoon Al Saleh.