Dr. Hamed bin Mohammed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Art Foundation, said that he was influenced by his upbringing in an environment rich in thought and creativity, and it was natural to appreciate the arts, adding: “We were also educated to open up to and benefit from different cultures of the world, without forgetting our inherent heritage and culture. ».

He pointed out that the Foundation will announce in the coming period a number of new cultural projects, which aim to contribute effectively to enrich the cultural scene in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, and the transfer of culture and love of arts and knowledge for future generations, and make them available to various groups and the public, pointing out that these projects include a series of Mobile workshops and art events around the UAE.

Al-Suwaidi revealed in his interview with Emirates Today, the fate of “Wijdan Marie Magdouline”, “St. Mary Magdalene”, which was recently presented by British Ambassador to the UAE Patrick Moody as a permanent loan to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Lubin family, who owns the painting, exhibited at the Zayed National Museum to be opened in the Saadiyat Island Cultural District, Abu Dhabi.

Opportunity to watch

Al Suwaidi added: “We seek to provide the opportunity to see the painting for art lovers of different categories and ages of all nationalities in the country. Therefore, we aspire to organize a tour to display the painting in all the Emirates in cooperation with different institutions and destinations. With its artistic and material worth ».

He continued «after the tour, the painting will be handed to Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, provided that the official authorities determine the place of final presentation».

According to Al Suwaidi, the painting by the artist Ari Scheffer in 1856 and was part of the special collection of the Lubin family, was dedicated to the UAE as an expression of goodwill and to be a symbol of the lasting friendship between the UAE and the UK, and to raise the slogan of tolerance this year. An annual event held earlier this year under the patronage of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and his speech on the Year of Tolerance, and touched on how to achieve and spread the value of tolerance in society ».

“Such initiatives aim to build bridges of communication between communities through international plastic art, highlighting Renaissance art and participating in the revitalization of the arts movement in the region, in order to contribute to raising the level of culture in the Arab world,” he said. He added that Britain's choice of this important event is the result of close relations with the Arab world over many years.

Global projects

Dr. Al-Suwaidi said that the major cultural projects and international museums implemented by the UAE and Abu Dhabi play a major role in spreading culture and arts, and contribute effectively to the revitalization of tourism and air traffic to the country from around the world, and photos and comments published by visitors to the state on social media attract There are many international studies and articles published on these cultural projects, which are the subject of international studies and articles, which enhances the UAE's status as a center of culture and arts in the region.

He added: `` In recognition of the importance and status of museums and cultural and artistic institutions in the country, we are in partnership with a number of art galleries and museums, and provide cultural events and seminars, as well as the organization of a series of lectures and dialogue sessions, which in turn will enrich the artistic and cultural scene in the country and the region. We also seek to build relationships with the largest museums in the UAE in general, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular, to highlight the role of museums as a critical resource for learning and learning about different cultures. ”

Family creativity

As for his interest in culture and the arts despite his work in the field of finance and business, Al Suwaidi pointed out that his upbringing in a family of many prominent names in the field of creativity and coexistence for them had a significant impact in his association with culture and art of various types and schools, the most prominent of these names the late poet Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi He was influenced by the poet Mohammed Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi and his numerous cultural projects, in addition to being influenced by the poems of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikha Khawla bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi.

He explained that - in addition to his interest in the arts and plastic art in particular - practiced painting, and is keen to collect old and rare collections and identify the historical stories, as well as designed the first «Tartan Emirati» in 2014, a traditional Scottish cloth, using the colors of the UAE flag The design was carried out in conjunction with the 46th UAE National Day celebrations, giving 46 pieces to public figures and an elite of those interested in arts and culture.

Professional and cultural biography

Dr. Al-Suwaidi holds a bachelor's and master's degrees from Regents University in London and the University of Portsmouth, where he holds a doctorate in economics and finance. In 2014, he was honored as Freedom of the City of London and became a partner of the City of London Foundation.

After 14 years as Regional CEO for the Middle East and Africa at National Bank of Abu Dhabi (the first bank in the capital), Dr. Al Suwaidi is currently Chairman of AES Limited in Abu Dhabi - a British-based company focused on trade, education and the arts. He also holds fellowships from the Institute of Leadership and Management in London, the Institute of Directors, the Institute of Management Management, the Royal Statistics Society, the Geological Society of London, the Royal Society of Arts and the Institute of Travel and Tourism Sciences. His passion for arts and culture led him to the founding of the Abu Dhabi Arts Society, and he also played an important role in the establishment of the first Emirati Tartan.

"I grew up in an environment full of thought, and in a family of many prominent names in the field of creativity was naturally affected by it."

1856

The year in which Ari Schiffer painted the painting “The Conscience of Mary Magdoulin”.

President of Abu Dhabi Arts Foundation:

"Major cultural projects and international museums implemented by the UAE play a major role in spreading culture and the arts."