The 2019 edition of FOCAL POINT presented a spotlight on zines and comics. To complement this thematic direction, several zine and comic workshops and meet-ups were organised with UAE-based artists. The workshop ‘Comic Makers,’ led by Nasir Nasrullah, brought together 15 artists who went on to create the new content that was compiled into a book and launched at the fair.
Corniche, designed by Mouza Al Hamrani, is a unique entry into the minds of artists living in the UAE and the first anthology of comics in the country. It includes the work of artists Ruba Al Araji, Azim Al Ghussein, Alya Al Hammadi, Aysha AlHamrani, Mouza AlHamrani, Manar Laham, Reem Al Marri, Khawla AlMarzooqi, Khalid Mezaina, Mohammed Al Mohanna, Shihabaldeen Al Musharaf, Issa AlNoaimi, Mohammed Al Shaibani, Ibrahim Swaid and Ayesha Thani.
The cover, designed by Nasrullah, pays homage to the Sharjah corniche by which SAF is located and that served as the main view through the windows of Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, where the collaborators sat together to produce the content. In another personal touch, the cover art features the International Space Station, a nod to the journey of the first Emirati astronaut, Hazzaa Ali Almansoori, to space—a milestone event that the corniche collaborators watched together on a laptop from the workshop space.
About the Artist
For artist and curator Nasir Nasrallah, making art is about experimenting with and synthesising materials, be they physical objects, ideas or theorems. His work is a highly personal response to his environment and the people and places he encounters.
About the Publisher
Located in Sharjah’s historic Art and Heritage Areas, Sharjah Art Foundation activities and events take place throughout the year and include exhibitions featuring the work of Arab and international artists, performances, music, film screenings and artist talks as well as extensive art education programmes for children, adults and families. The Foundation hosts the annual March Meeting and every two years present the Sharjah Biennial.
