The Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (Admaf) said since its launch in November, more than 40 Emirati visual artists have registered to take part in The Nationals’ Gallery.

A nationwide initiative, the The Nationals’ Gallery (Riwaq Al Fan Al Emirati), is dedicated to the growth and development of contemporary artistic expression within the UAE, said a statement from Admaf.

They join a host of UAE artists who have already pledged their support of the Gallery including Jalal Luqman, Matar bin Lahej, Karima Al Shomali, Ebtissam Abdel Aziz and Khalil Abdel Wahid, it added.

The Nationals’ Gallery was created to assist in the development of home-grown artistic talent across the UAE.

“We have always known that there exists a great pool of creative talent within the UAE, with great visual artists such as Matar bin Lahej and Lamya Gargash receiving international acclaim for their work,' said its founder Kanoo Al Khamis Kanoo.

'However there are so many other talented local artists out there and it is very exciting to bring them together through The Nationals’ Gallery and to showcase to the world the quality and depth of our home-grown talent,' she added.

According to her, the process for registering with The Nationals’ Gallery is simple. 'Upon joining the Gallery, each artist receives a one-to-one consultation session with Admaf to offer them advice, information and contacts within the national, regional and international contemporary arts scenes.'

'The newly registered artists are then offered the opportunity to showcase examples of their work, and to feature up-to-date biographies, resumes, artist statements and upcoming exhibition details within the Gallery, which is to be hosted on the Admaf website,' said Kanoo.

'Additionally they are given the chance to access a fund designed to help Emirati arts practitioners who wish to undertake postgraduate studies, independent research, exhibitions or installations,' she added.-TradeArabia News Service