AVID CREATIVE CANVAS: A Group Exhibition Presented by Avid Learning ME

Ati Younessi is a self-taught award winning Dubai-based multidisciplinary artist working at the intersection of realism, conceptual and abstract visual storytelling. Her work explores themes of emotional depth, introspection, and expression through symbolisms. Whilst focusing primarily on still-life, she draws metaphors from natural elements to hold space for something deeper. She’s interested in masking the mundane feelings and thoughts we each carry beneath the surface, and our unspoken truths through artwork. She’s currently exploring mix media installations and clay/plaster sculptures, with the aim of translating feeling into form, by creating pieces with hidden elements that are meant to be seen, not just observed.

Akshita Lad is an award-winning artist honored with the prestigious UAE Golden Visa by the Ministry of Arts and Culture, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the global arts landscape. Born in Mumbai and now based in Dubai, her artistic journey began in childhood through frequent visits to museums, where she stood in awe before the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. These early encounters shaped her enduring fascination with light, emotion, and the timeless beauty of the human spirit. Since 2018, she has pursued intensive art training at Lotus Art Educational Institute in Dubai, maintaining a disciplined daily practice of painting and continuously refining her skills. Lad’s body of work spans portraits, landscapes, and abstract expressionism. Her acclaimed Soft Impressions series, which she began in 2023, is deeply personal. Inspired by the natural cycles of seasons and life, it reflects on themes of transition, presence, and acceptance. Through luminous, delicate brushwork, these paintings offer viewers a sense of serenity, joy, and profound connectedness — to nature, to one another, and to something greater than themselves.

Shahzad Ghazi was born in 1983 in Lahore, Pakistan. In 2002 started studying art and completed his fine arts diploma, eventually becoming a master at the dying traditional practice miniature. By 2005, he had completed his studies and began working at artist studios before studying for an art degree at Beaconhouse National University (2011) under the guidance of Rashid Rana and Salimha Hashmi. Ghazi has exhibited in many international art fairs Venice Biennale, Art Dubai, Abu Dhabi Art and has art shows internationally as well. Ghazi lives and works in Dubai, UAE. Ghazi was awarded the UAE Golden Visa. Ghazi uses his art as a personal meditative practice in order to find balance and harmony through his conscious abstract art to realize relationships spatially as well as interpersonally. He has dedicated his career to revitalizing the ancient traditions embedded within his own heritage and bringing them into the contemporary art world.

Kenneth Sagar is driven by stories, the ones we live and the ones we pursue. His creative practice is rooted in the belief that creativity is not about fitting into predefined boundaries, but about challenging and redefining them. Every idea begins with curiosity, shaped by emotion and brought to life with intention. Working across film, photography, and storytelling, Sagar seeks to capture authentic moments and the unfiltered energy that connects people beyond trends, labels, and expectations. His work explores themes of human connection, purpose, and the shared experiences that shape our lives. Believing that art should feel alive, evolving, imperfect, and honest, Sagar's creative process is guided by intuition and a deep appreciation for the everyday moments that often go unnoticed. Through each project, he embraces storytelling as a powerful tool to inspire reflection, evoke emotion, and foster meaningful connections. His work represents an ongoing exploration of creativity, purpose, and the human experience, where every journey begins with a dream and the courage to pursue it.

Gemma Gallagher is an award-winning visual artist based in Dubai. Celebrated as Artist of the Year by The Independent newspaper (UK), she studied Fine Art at the University of the Arts London and has exhibited internationally, with works held in both private and public collections including the Open University and BBC Art Collections. In 2024, Gallagher was selected by Etihad Airways as one of the Top 20 Artists in the UAE, and represented Northern Ireland for Arts and Culture with a solo exhibition at Expo 2020. Her practice is rooted in the dialogue between language, land and human connection. Her paintings depict landscape-inspired layered abstraction, embedding fragments of poetry and philosophy within luminous colour fields. Her art seeks to evoke contemplation and reawaken and a sense of stillness and human connection, distilling the complexity of life into the simplicity and depth of our shared human experience and emotions.  

Marjorie Raymond, a French artist raised in Brazil and now residing in Dubai, has channeled her deep emotional experiences into her abstract art for over 25 years. Each piece is thoughtfully composed with a spectacular combination of highly textured elements such as acrylic paint, rocks, charcoal, sand and diamond dust all carefully designed to create a stunning visual feast. Raymond’s popularity has grown in recent years and now her art is showcased in government buildings, private collectors and solo exhibitions, with clients ranging from international art collectors from Africa, the United States, France and the U.K. In the UAE her pieces are hanging in the the residences of the Royal Family and the Al Habtoor Executive Offices as well 5star hotels and residences such as the The Bvlgari Mansions, Bvlgari Villas and apartments, Atlantis The Royal, Nammos Beach to name a few.  

Deeriide (b. Abu Dhabi, 1985, she/they) is an abstract artist whose practice centers on storytelling, mapping the intimate terrain between inner emotion and the external world. Inspired by nature, emotion, and fleeting moments in time, she creates expressive abstract paintings, and mixed media works on canvas. Working primarily with acrylics, textures, and metallic tones, Deeriide translates deep, evocative sentiments into bold compositions that celebrate colour, energy, and the intensity of the human spirit and Mother Nature. Her distinctive style has been showcased across the UAE and internationally, and is listed with Artezaar, Mondoir Gallery, Diarbid and SYLA. Her works were featured at World Art Dubai 2025, a prestigious international art fair highlighting her growing influence and universal appeal. Through vibrant palettes, layered textures, and metallic accents, Deeriide fuses internal emotion with the external world, reflecting a unique perspective shaped by the cultural richness of her home city and her many travels.

Yun Kusanagi Originally from Casablanca, spent the majority of his adult life in the UK, where he obtained MSc in Computer Science and worked for multi-cultural, diverse and international companies. Living in the UK was an experience that has profoundly shaped his artistic perspective. Painting is more than a creative pursuit, it is a deeply personal means of exploring and acknowledging his inner world. Based in the United Arab Emirates for 2 years and one of his objectives is to contribute to the vibrant art scene and to encourage all artists to participate and support in any way, shape or form possible. He finds inspiration in the richness of life itself: the beauty of nature, the depth of conversations, the lessons of personal experiences, the rhythms of music, and the fleeting moments of both joy and sadness. Each piece he creates tells a story, offering a glimpse into his journey of self-reflection and emotional discovery.His work is rooted in abstract expressionism and enriched with the raw energy of street and urban art, influenced by his time in the U.K and its vibrant urban culture.

Farnaz is originally from Tehran and based in Dubai since 2005, creates works deeply rooted in faith, Sufism, and the teachings of Rumi. From an early passion for music to her later immersion in mysticism, art, and history, she transforms her inspirations into acrylic mixed-media paintings. Her art combines Islamic geometry, calligraphy, and symbolism, reflecting the principle of monotheism and the interconnectedness of existence. For Farnaz, art is a spiritual journey — a space for meditation, reflection, and inner exploration. Each piece invites viewers to look beyond the surface and uncover hidden layers of meaning. Beyond aesthetics, her creations build bridges across cultures, carrying messages of unity, hope, and peace. Through international exhibitions and social media, she shares her vision with the world, reminding us of the power of creativity to transcend boundaries and bring people together.

Sophiya Khwaja is a visual artist based in the UAE. With a background in printmaking, her current practice unfolds through drawing and mixed media on paper. Extending her work beyond the studio, she has recently written and hand drawn a limited-edition risograph children’s book, scheduled to be published by Full Special Studio in Abu Dhabi in 2026. Sophiya is a Fulbright Fellow, MacDowell Fellow and a founder of SoZa, an artist collective based in the UAE. She is also closely connected with UNESCO, having been selected twice to represent Pakistan at its various art related programming. Sophiya has had solo exhibitions at Tashkeel Dubai, Cade Tompkins Projects RI USA, The NorthDakota Museum of Art USA, Nomad Gallery Islamabad and Farrar Gallery Karachi, along with numerous group and 2-person shows. She is also a Bharatnatyam dancer, a proud mom to a little boy, two cats, a dog and 51 plants and has recently taken to producing electronic music in her free time. Within the North America region, her work is represented by the Cade Tompkins Projects.

Parul is a contemporary painter, ceramist and art educator. Her work is deeply personal, grounded in themes of childhood, nostalgia and feminism. She is constantly exploring how identity is shaped by memory and social roles, particularly from a woman’s perspective. Her ceramic practice spans sculpture, design, and conceptual installations, exploring the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary expression. Trained as a fine artist and now a fulltime member at Al Jalila Cultural Center in Dubai, her journey into ceramics is a surreal blend of 2D and 3D languages. While ceramics is a relatively new medium for her, the shift from painting to clay has felt like a natural, dedicated evolution of her creative practice.  

Sabrina Gassner is an Austrian contemporary artist based in Dubai. Working under the name sasarina.art, she creates mixed-media works on canvas, primarily combining acrylic paint, spray paint and pastels. With a strong interest in colour, movement and material, her works often move between recognisable forms and abstraction. Her background in fashion, graphic design and visual communication continues to influence her artistic approach. Sabrina’s work has been shown internationally. Her recent exhibitions include shows in Switzerland and, most recently, in Turin, Italy.

Masarratfatima Sulaimani is an experimental artist whose practice explores the expressive possibilities of paper. She approaches the material not as a passive surface but as her language, shaping it through cutting, folding, and layering until it acquires a voice of its own. Her works often draw on the rhythms of nature, architecture, and Islamic art. She creates layered compositions that evolve into immersive, large-scale installations.These works invite viewers to engage with the artwork as participants rather than mere observers, dissolving the conventional boundary between object and audience. At the core of her practice are themes of memory, migration, and journey. Paper, at once fragile and resilient, becomes a metaphor for cycles of time, growth, and impermanence.This subtle interplay between delicacy and strength has shaped her distinctive place in contemporary art. Her work has been presented internationally, including at the Shanghai International Biennale, Sikka Art Fair and World Art Dubai.

Viktoria Sosonka is a Ukrainian-born artist now based in the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Dubai. Specializing in fine abstract art, she primarily works with oils, drawing deep inspiration from the beauty of nature and the spirit of her homeland. Her portfolio spans murals, bespoke commissions, and immersive art experiences that fuse her unique vision with her clients’ stories. Victoria’s work evokes harmony, introspection, and joy, transforming spaces into meaningful sanctuaries that invite connection. Her talent and contributions to the art world have earned her recognition as one of the Super 100 Artists 2024, Women Edition, and a featured role in Incredibles, an exhibition marking the 140th anniversary of the Ukrainian Women’s Movement.

ÄJ is a self-taught abstract artist based in Dubai, originally from Paris, with formative chapters in Geneva and London. Color becomes her language, translating emotions and energy into each piece, inviting a deeply personal and intuitive connection. AJ’s work is rooted in color, emotion, and intuitive movement. Through a process of acrylic pouring, dripping, and instinctive mark-making layered with oil pastels, she balances surrender and intention, allowing unpredictability to guide the outcome.

Melika (b. 1998, Tehran) is a Dubai raised multidisciplinary artist. Having graduated from NYU Abu Dhabi with full scholarship, she studied Fine Arts and Film in Abu Dhabi, New York, and Paris. Her work includes drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, digital art, animation, and installation. Her practice explores the layered connections between individuals, their environments, and the emotions that bind them. Through intricate details and observation, Melika reflects on themes of belonging, memory, and life’s transitional phases. Ordinary subjects, such as textiles, landscapes, and everyday objects, become metaphors for comfort, vulnerability, and transformation. Visually, much of her work is characterized by her use of color, intricate details, and soft flows. Her work has been in publications such as Cosmopolitan Middle East, Gulf News, Khamsah, Magzoid, Al Bayan, Broadway on Demand, NYU, and The National. Aside from her own studio practice, Melika has worked and collaborated in various capacities with organizations such as Alserkal, Sean Kelly Gallery, Al Jalila Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi Art, Art Dubai, Capsule Arts, Noor Riyadh Festival, and others over the years. Most recently she completed an art residency at Alserkal Avenue.

Birute Brandt is a Lithuanian-born artist whose work explores the tension between constructed identity and inner essence. Raised in a family of artists and educated in Vilnius and Berlin, she developed a visual language rooted in aesthetic surrealism. Her elongated, often androgynous figures inhabit minimal, dreamlike spaces, suspended between performance and authenticity, control and surrender. Through these psychological arenas, Brandt examines the fragile balance that shapes human consciousness. She has held four solo exhibitions in Dubai and has exhibited in Lithuania, Germany, Luxembourg, and the UAE.