Young imaginations run wild at the Sharjah Children’s Biennial

The fourth edition of the Sharjah Children’s Biennial, which runs until February 9 in the emirate, brings together more than 500 artworks created by children from all over the world.

The biennial, which is spread over the entire exhibition area of the Sharjah Art Museum, is the only event of its kind in the UAE and the first in the region. It opened last month with hundreds of artworks selected after an open worldwide call for submissions.

“We worked closely with schools in the UAE and the region as well as with embassies to reach out internationally and we were really surprised at the quality and talent of the art we received,” says Nasir Nasrallah, the biennial curator.

The 550 works – from the United States and the Czech Republic to the UAE and Sudan – were selected from more than 1,000 entries sent in by children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 18.

Created under the theme “questions”, the paintings and the drawings cover topics as diverse as environment, fairy tales, legends, technology, architecture, culture and language.

“We chose ‘questions’ as the theme because children are naturally curious and want to know as much as possible,” says Nasrallah. “We wanted to make the most of that and we wanted them to keep on asking – it is not necessary to get an answer from this show.”

The works will later move to other venues in Sharjah for the second month of the biennial, which is held under the patronage of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the wife of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

The exhibition is divided into six sections: How, Who, What, Where, When and Why. Nasrallah and the team organised workshops within each category in the months leading up to the biennial to help children in the UAE create works that are now on display in the exhibition.

In the "How" section, Nasrallah led a workshop on devising personal codes where each letter was represented by a symbol. The children then made diary entries in the secret code. Hind Al Shamsi, a Sharjah-based graphic designer, encouraged the children to paint or draw their questions on canvases, which she then stretched over light boxes.

There is also is an interactive wall hung with empty water bottles in which children can plant seeds. “We had to think of as many ways as possible to keep the children interested and constantly entertained,” says Nasrallah. “This wall encourages them to come back again to see how their plants are growing.”

In the section titled "When", children can explore the concept of time. Dr Najat Makki, a prominent Emirati artist, led a workshop on old traditions within Emirati families. Tulip Hazbar, an artist who works out of Tashkeel in Dubai, taught kids how to make flip books.

"Who" covers portraiture. An interactive class on "how to take the best selfie" taught children how to use social media.

Manal Ataya, the director general of Sharjah Museums Department, says that the biennial is “a wonderful chance for Sharjah Museums Department to demonstrate our desire to support the children of today on their path to being the leaders of tomorrow”.

“That path includes having opportunities to be creative, to express thoughts and emotions through art, and to make positive long-lasting connections with peers and across cultures,” adds Ataya.

Children of all disabilities were encouraged to get involved with the exhibition through work from special needs students and deaf children who study at Sharjah Humanitarian City.

A local perfume company has spearheaded a workshop at which children draw their reactions to different fragrances, while MUM MUM, a Sharjah restaurant dedicated to children’s food, installed a pop-up booth on-site.

“This exhibition is by the children and for the children,” says Nasrallah. “I have only helped to direct them. I want to show them they can do something different and to open their minds to other forms of art such as photography, sculpture and installations. Art is important for all children, even if they are not going to pursue it in later life – it can help them in any career and with life skills in general.”

Reem Bin Karam, the president of the biennial, says: “The biennial affords us an unprecedented opportunity to get unique insights into the way that our children, the future generation, see the world around them. We should never forget that children, although they are young, are not unaware of the challenges that the world faces today. If they are given the opportunity, they can contribute greatly to finding new and innovative ways to meet these challenges.”

• Sharjah Children's Biennial is held in collaboration with Sharjah Museums Department and runs until February 9. Visit www.scbiennial.ae for more details

aseaman@thenational.ae