Emirati Artist Najat Makki on Her Inspirations from Dubai Creek and Artistic Journey

Emirati artist Najat Makki, born in Dubai before the UAE's 1971 unification, draws inspiration from her childhood near Dubai Creek's turquoise waters and the bustling multicultural markets of old Dubai. Her father, a herbal medicine tradesman, nurtured her early sensory awareness of textures and colors. Makki pursued art studies in Cairo during the late 1970s and early 1980s, overcoming social constraints against women traveling from the conservative Gulf. In Cairo, she experienced open society, mixed classrooms, and Egypt's rich architectural and antiquities heritage. Her artworks, such as Conversations #1 (2023) and Resonance #4 (2023), feature layered abstract compositions reflecting natural elements like waves and winds. Makki emphasizes environmental preservation and Bedouin heritage in her art, sometimes incorporating raw materials like sand. She chose not to marry to dedicate herself fully to her artistic career, believing family responsibilities would limit artistic commitment. This profile originally appeared in Canvas 115: On The Wild Side.