ArtDayME: Lateefa bint Maktoum has established Tashkeel in 2008 with great and diverse goals in the field of education, expansion of creativity and innovation and support of UAE artists, in the meantime look at research and connecting art, science for the environment and achieving to a better life is a strategic plan.

She graduated from Zayed University Latifa College in 2007 with a B.A. in Visual Arts and has gained widespread recognition for her digital montage work. Her artwork can be found in private collections nationally and internationally.

Lateefa bint Maktoum on the occasion of Jamal Tayara Baroudy's exhibition at Tashkeel, which has an interesting environmental research perspective, wrote a text in the catalog of this exhibition, and you can read below.

Written by Lateefa bint Maktoum:

"Jamal Tayara-Baroudy has been on the Tashkeel Critical Practice Programme for the last two years. The obsession with the Calotropis Procera that has informed her practice so strongly, resonates throughout the exhibition; a showcase and intersection of art, science and the profound beauty of the natural world. Her journey explores a fascination, curiosity, questioning and dissection - literally and metaphorically - of the Calotropis Procera, which has led to the creation of an exceptional series of work that is as visually stunning as it is intellectually enlightening.

Jamal Tayara-Baroudy, originally a graphic designer, embarked on a remarkable journey that began with an interest in the Calotropis Procera, a plant known for its invasive nature in many regions of the world. However, Jamal's intrigue did not stop there; she became immersed in an in-depth study of the scientific properties of this enigmatic plant. Her investigation took her to examine research from across the globe, determining how Calotropis Procera is used in various cultures and the multitude of beneficial (and sometimes harmful) properties it possesses.

The result of Jamal's tireless exploration is a body of art and science, tapestries, made as a labour of love that bring to life the intricate details of the plant in a way that transcends the boundaries of traditional artistic expression. Each tapestry is a major exploration, illustrating the plant's botanical intricacies and forcing the viewer to look at and think about its cultural significance.

Jamal's work extends beyond the confines of the studio. She has documented her findings with a photographer's eye, capturing the Calotropis Procera in its natural habitat. Using geotagging technology, she has meticulously pinpointed the locations from where she harvested the fruits for her tapestries, turning her findings into an invaluable resource for both audience and researchers.

This exhibition represents the culmination of two years of dedication, passion and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. It is testament to the beauty and complexity of the natural world as well as the boundless possibilities that arise when one artist's curiosity is ignited.

Tashkeel invites you to immerse yourself in the wonder of Jamal Tayara-Baroudy's 'Ways of Seeing' and begin exploring the union of art, science and the extraordinary possibilities of the natural world yet to be uncovered.

Lateefa bint Maktoum"

Photos: ArtDayME