Cultural Ambassador and Artistic Visionary
Fatma Lootah is a celebrated artist and a key cultural ambassador for the United Arab Emirates, recognized for her significant contributions to the global art scene. Born and raised in Dubai, Fatma’s artistic journey began at the Art Academy of Baghdad and later took her to Washington D.C. for further studies. Since the 1980s, she has made her home in Verona, Italy, while maintaining a deep connection to her roots in Dubai, where she owns a studio in the historic Al Fahidi neighborhood. This studio, House 35, was a generous gift from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2010, following his attendance at one of her solo exhibitions.
Her career, spanning several decades, is marked by her diverse artistic expressions, primarily focusing on abstract art but also including performance art. Fatma’s works have graced exhibitions in numerous countries, including Italy, France, Austria, Spain, Morocco, Bahrain, and the USA. Notably, her art was showcased in Times Square, New York, as part of the Nasdaq Artist in Residence project, highlighting her international acclaim. Her contributions to the art world have been recognized in prestigious publications like Marie Claire Arabia, Vogue Arabia, and The National, and she has made numerous appearances on television.
Fatma Lootah’s dedication to her craft and her ability to transcend cultural boundaries through her art make her a distinguished figure in the contemporary art world. Her unique blend of cultural heritage and modern abstract expression continues to inspire and resonate with audiences globally.
Could you share some of your earliest memories of creating art and what initially inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I began drawing and painting at a very young age, at just 13 years old. I used anything that could serve as a canvas: the streets in my neighborhood, a friend’s car, and the walls of my room. Deep in my heart, I knew this was my calling, and I was fortunate that my family supported my decision to study art at the Baghdad Academy of Art in 1973.
How did your experiences at the Art Academy of Baghdad and later in Washington D.C. shape your artistic style and vision?
In Baghdad, I learned the craft of art: how to handle a pencil, make it dance between my fingers, make the lines speak, and bring figures to life. In the United States, I discovered the freedom of colors. It was there that my art teacher advised me to move to Europe to start my artistic career.
What prompted your move to Verona, Italy in the 1980s, and how has living there influenced your work and artistic outlook?
You could call it luck, because moving to Verona allowed me to meet many artists in various fields, such as body art, performance art, and others. In 1985, I was invited to do my first performance at the Milan Art Festival. I am a free spirit of the desert, even though I live near a forest. Dubai gave me the strength to create through its beauty.
Despite residing in Italy, you maintain a strong connection to Dubai. How do you balance your life and work between these two cultures?
I was fortunate again when I met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the opening of my first exhibition in Dubai, and I am deeply grateful to him for providing me with a place to showcase my art. An artist must be open to all forms of expression. Art has no limits; it is an open world where light can pass through your fingers, and light has no boundaries.
Can you tell us about the significance of your studio, House 35, in the Al Fahidi neighborhood, and how it has impacted your creative process?
I believe that art (real art) can be understood everywhere, because when you paint, you speak to people’s souls, not their minds. Times Square was a beautiful surprise that Nasdaq created for me after displaying some of my works at Nasdaq Dubai.
How did it feel to receive the studio as a gift from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and what does this recognition mean to you?
I am grateful for everything life has given me and will always do my best to make art touch people’s hearts and souls. The biggest challenge I have faced and continue to face is making people sit in front of a painting and feel its energy.
Your work has been exhibited in numerous countries. How do different cultural contexts and audiences influence your exhibitions and artistic messages?
I am grateful for everything life has given me and will always do my best to make art touch people’s hearts and souls. The biggest challenge I have faced and continue to face is making people sit in front of a painting and feel its energy.
Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you’re particularly excited about and can share with us?
I currently have some paintings on display at the Cairo Museum and an exhibition in my gallery in Dubai.
