NBF Art 2023

About NBF

National Bank of Fujairah is one of the most well-respected corporate banks in the UAE and is renowned for its award-winning services. NBF offers a wide range of banking and financial services, while maintaining a strong commitment to social responsibility and current global issues. This philosophy inspired the NBF Art Prize, which celebrates the nation’s emerging art scene while also serving as a platform to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and instill a sense of responsibility within our society.

This nationwide competition invites artists to share their artistic expression and unique perspective in the form of artwork in response to a compelling theme or topic. NBF believes that art has the power to inspire significant changes in the world.

Learn more about NBF

The Value of Art

This competition forms part of our commitment to ESG (Environmental Social and Governance) principles, by empowering the nation’s emerging art scene. NBF believes in the transformative power of art and its ability to start conversations and inspire change. Through this initiative, we aim to nurture the UAE’s creative industry and inspire collective action towards a better future.

By promoting the nation's emerging art scene, we are demonstrating our commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values. NBF believes in the transformational power of art, as well as its potential to spark dialogue and promote change. We hope to nurture the UAE's creative industry and encourage collaborative action toward a brighter future through this effort.

TIME IS
NOW

NBF Art 2023

Calling all up-and-coming artists to unleash their creative talents and enter the NBF Art Prize 2023. This year’s theme, Time is Now, emphasizes the importance of addressing global sustainability.

This theme serves as a strong call to action, highlighting the unsustainable rate at which we consume natural resources and the importance of taking steps towards environmental change. While progress has been made in areas such as renewable energy, sanitation, recycling, and forest management, it is crucial to take immediate action towards sustainable change.

Your artwork should emphasis the importance of taking immediate action toward green, sustainable living. Share your unique perspective in your preferred medium.

Join us

Rules

WHO CAN APPLY

The NBF Art Prize welcomes applications from all emerging artists who are 18 years of age or older and residents of the UAE.

A valid UAE Emirates ID will be required to claim your prize.

USE THE THEME AS A FRAMEWORK

Artists are welcome to enter in our competition, with the chosen theme serving as a framework for their artistic expression. The themes are centered around global sustainability to inspire new perspectives, prompt environmental change, and inspire action toward a better future.

WHAT TO SUBMIT

Share your unique perspective on the chosen theme in the form of an artwork in the medium of your choice, including:

Drawing
Painting
digital art
Sculpture

HOW TO ENTER

Artists must submit a high-resolution artwork to the official NBF Art Competition website by Friday, 15th Sep 2023. To access the submission form, please visit nbf.ae/artcompetition.

ARTWORK EVALUATION

The Selection Committee will guarantee that all entries are evaluated fairly by carefully reviewing and scoring them based on predefined technical criteria. From this process, the top ten (10) finalists will be shortlisted. The top three winning artists will have the opportunity to engage in individual mentorship sessions with the distinguished judges, who are well-known figures in the UAE Art community.

Meet
the judges

Patricia Millns

Artist, Arts Advisor & Mentor

Patricia Millns is a world-renowned artist and served as a founding pioneer of the UAE's contemporary art movement. She was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) in London, as well as the International Association of Art Critics (IAPA) and UNESCO, for her work.

Her artistic quest began with Islamic art and design and progressed to a thorough examination of symbolism, women's studies, and cultural heritage. She is now working on design projects that emphasize the importance of regional culture. Her art has been shown in notable places worldwide, including the British Museum in London, the United Nations in New York, and the Carousel De Louvre in Paris.

AHMAD AL RASHID

Founder & Director of TALK Curated Creative Events

Ahmad is a Kuwait-based art and design enthusiast. He spent the last two decades living and working in France, Italy, and the Netherlands before relocating to Dubai in 2019.

He is the founder of TALK Curated Creative, an events and art management firm aimed towards supporting emerging artists in the UAE. He has also curated a number of cultural events in Dubai, including the recent World Art Dubai. He also broadcasts Talkative_with_Ahmad, a popular podcast that provides a stimulating platform for dialogue, inspiration, and creative exploration.

KHALIL ABULWAHID

Visual Arts Manager at Dubai Culture

Khalil Abdulwahid is a renowned artist who began his artistic career under the tutelage of the late Emirati artist Hassan Sharif. Khalil's work has been shown in group exhibits bot locally and abroad, including prominent events such as FotoFest International's 'View from Inside' and the National Museum of Denmark's 'Sharjah: Art from the Emirates'. He has also contributed to the annual exhibitions organized by the Emirates Fine Arts Society. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Khalil teaches and is presently the Visual Arts Manager at Dubai Culture. He is actively involved in a variety of projects that support the UAE's creative community.

AISHA ALABBAR

Photographer & Gallery Owner

Aisha Alabbar is a well-known artist and photographer. Her family's frame company introduced her to art and design at a young age, sparking her passion in photography.

As her interest in photography grew, she felt compelled to study about art history, visiting museums and attending art fairs. Aisha saw a dearth of possibilities for local artists to display their innovative works, thus she founded The Aisha Alabbar Gallery, a gallery dedicated to Emirati and Gulf-based artists. By engaging different audiences and showcasing thought-provoking shows, the gallery hopes to contribute to the local arts scene. Aisha aspires to promote the gallery's artists on a global scale in the future.