The artist at the Emirates Fine Art Society
DR. MOHAMED YOUSIF
b. 1953, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Meet Dr. Mohamed Yousif, one of the first sculptors in the UAE and credited as one of the founders of the Emirates Fine Art Society (read more on the EFAS here) and the Sharjah National Theatre. Dr. Mohamed’s artworks are whimsically crafted, delicate wooden sculptures, many woven out of the palm tree fronds handpicked in the UAE desert. His creations, both figurative and non-figurative in structure equally reflect the comical character he is, both on and off stage as he creates artwork, writes plays, and directs, acts and designs in theatre productions.
Inspired by Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi’s curated UAE Pavilion during the 56th Venice Biennial, “1980—Today: Exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates,” he has since then refocused on his art practice, reviving older memories of the challenges faced by the pioneer artists of his generation and reflecting on the future direction of the UAE art scene.
