Azza Al Qubaisi's Journey from Jewellery to Monumental Sculpture

Emirati artist Azza Al Qubaisi (born 1978 in Abu Dhabi) has transitioned from jewellery design to large-scale metal sculptures, exemplified by her work 'Treasure' (2023) shown at the annual Egyptian exhibition 'Forever Is Now' since 2021. The piece, made of rusty steel with a golden crown, invites tactile interaction. Al Qubaisi studied Jewellery Design and Allied Crafts at London Guildhall University after a foundation course at Chelsea College of Arts (late 1990s). She was influenced by the 1997 'Sensation' exhibition at the Royal Academy, featuring Young British Artists like Damien Hirst and Rachel Whiteread. Struggling to sell art upon returning to Abu Dhabi in 2002, she created functional design objects, including corporate gifts and trophies, to fund her practice. This led her to research traditional Emirati crafts like al sadu weaving, al khous palm frond weaving, and talli embroidery, collaborating with craftswomen. Her wall hanging 'Sea and Desert Weaving' (2020) was made with Al Ghadeer UAE Crafts using upcycled materials. Her sculptures, such as 'Falcon and Houbara 3' (2018) and 'Wings of Wisdom' (2019) featuring Arabic script, often reference nature and cultural heritage. In 2021, a solo exhibition at a Department of Culture and Tourism Art Space venue caught the attention of New York gallerist Leila Heller, leading to a solo show at Heller's Dubai gallery in 2023.