Alumni of Rashid School for Boys Revisit Boyhood Through Art at Bayt Al Mamzar Exhibition
The exhibition 'The Boys are Alright' at Bayt Al Mamzar features works by alumni of the closed Rashid School for Boys, curated by Jumairy, a former student. Gaith Abdulla's 2006 polystyrene sculpture 'Untitled' depicts two blurred figures in an embrace, reflecting longing for closeness. Mohammed Singel's 2012 oil painting 'Three Identities, One Canvas, Still Me' shows three self-portraits representing The Wanderer, The Emirati, and The Athlete. Maktoum Al Maktoum's 2025 work 'Hiss: A Handicraft' displays preserved animal specimens in jars, referencing ancient mnemonic practices using animal remnants. Ziad Al Najjar presents tattooed latex sheets stretched like skin, imprinted with bodies in struggle. A three-channel video installation 'Home, Out & About, In Character' uses archival footage from alumni, organized into sequences that sometimes overlap. An installation commemorates Ahmed AlMulla's missing 3x3 meter spiral acrylic painting 'Framed: A Memory in Waiting', inspired by Jackson Pollock. The exhibition explores themes of loss, identity, belonging, and memory without nostalgia, running until 26 October.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'The Boys are Alright' runs until 26 October
- Curated by Jumairy, a former Rashid School for Boys student
- Features works by alumni including Gaith Abdulla, Mohammed Singel, Maktoum Al Maktoum, Ziad Al Najjar, and Ahmed AlMulla
- Held at Bayt Al Mamzar villa
- Includes sculpture, painting, video installation, and commemorative installation
- Explores themes of boyhood, memory, identity, and loss
- Gaith Abdulla's 'Untitled' (2006) is a polystyrene sculpture of two embracing figures
- Ahmed AlMulla's missing painting was a 3x3 meter spiral acrylic work inspired by Jackson Pollock
Entities
Artists
- Gaith Abdulla
- Jumairy
- Mohammed Singel
- Maktoum Al Maktoum
- Ziad Al Najjar
- Ahmed AlMulla
- Jackson Pollock
Institutions
- Rashid School for Boys
- Bayt Al Mamzar