Leila Heller Gallery

Azza Al Qubaisi

Guest Artist

Azza Al Qubaisi Azza Al QubaisiAzza Al Qubaisi is an artist whose creative spirit thrives in the interplay between metal and nature. As a jewelry artist, sculptor, and product designer, she holds the distinguished place of being often celebrated as the UAE’s first Emirati jewelry designer. Her works embody a prolific creativity, where precious metals like gold and silver meet humble materials such as wood, rubber tires, palm branches, and the fragrant Oudh incense. Each piece tells a story, blending the tactile with the symbolic to evoke both history and modernity. Azza’s artistic vision is deeply rooted in a commitment to sustainability and cultural preservation. She draws from the essential materials that once formed the backbone of Emirati family life before the discovery of oil. Palm branches and the traditional weaved Sadu fabric become her chosen mediums, reimagined through methods she has developed over the past decade. These materials, steeped in history, find new life in her work, where the desert’s shapes, patterns, and textures intertwine with revived ancient techniques, creating a harmonious dialogue between past and present. Reflecting on her practice, Azza shares, “The works reflect my journey as an artist to understand who I am as an Emirati. They highlight all the materials I have used throughout my artistic journey and revolve around the fabric of life that existed in the past.” This intimate connection between identity and materiality infuses her creations with a profound sense of place and memory, inviting viewers to experience the quiet strength of tradition renewed through innovation. Holding a Master’s degree in Cultural and Creative Industries alongside a Bachelor of Arts in Jewelry Design, Silversmithing, and Allied Crafts, Azza brings both scholarly insight and hands-on expertise to her practice. Her career is marked by international recognition, her work traveling across the globe and resonating with diverse audiences. Notable exhibitions include 'Three Generations' at Sotheby’s London in 2013, the UAE National Day exhibition at Expo 2015 Milan, and ‘Portrait of Nation’ in Berlin in 2017, each showcasing her ability to weave narratives that transcend borders while rooted firmly in Emirati heritage. Azza’s influence extends beyond the gallery walls; her work has been documented in respected publications such as ‘500 Earrings: New Directions in Contemporary Jewellery’ by Lark Crafts in 2007. Through these pages, her artistry reaches new generations of creators and appreciators, securing her place within the evolving story of contemporary design and cultural identity. Her work, at once delicate and bold, carries the whispers of the desert winds and the heartbeat of a nation embracing its past and future. In the journey of Azza Al Qubaisi, we find a harmonious fusion of craft and concept, tradition and innovation. Her creations are not merely objects but vessels of memory and meaning, embodying a timeless dialogue between the earth’s raw materials and human creativity. Through her hands, the ancient and the modern converse in silent eloquence, inviting us to contemplate the enduring power of cultural roots and the endless possibilities that arise when we honor and transform them.

Artists

Azza Al Qubaisi

Karima Al Shomely

Manish Nai