Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi & Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Emirati Expressions provided the landmark exhibition for 2009 that celebrated the artistic diversity in the UAE.

On behalf of TDIC, and in cooperation with Anne Baldassari, Director of the Musée National Picasso, we realised the first comprehensive exhibit of traditional and contemporary work by Emirati artists. Painting, photography, sculpture, graphic design, installation, video and calligraphy were all represented by various generations of artists. A display that truly captured "movement of thought" at the intersection of cultures and influences.

Gallery One was subdivided into three sections with an adjoining area for educational purposes. The first space provided a meeting place for presentations throughout the period. The second, a darkened intimate auditoria presented a commissioned film exploring the inspirations of the artists. The main spine was configured into a magical and enigmatic "black box", a feast of discovery, where darkness was interrupted with focused beams of light that portrayed colourful windows of opportunity.

Finally, discrete niches provided the chance to reveal sculpture in pure environments. To complete the design, the end wall was clad with mirrors for greater visual volume and an endless reflection of their "Emirati Expressions".