Biography

Najat Meky explores the natural environment and Emirati cultural traditions in her sculpture and painting. The female figure often features prominently in her canvases, asserting the significant but overlooked contributions of women to society. Recently, the artist’s experimentation with colour, form and symbolism has intensified her engagement with abstraction.

Meky’s work has been presented in solo exhibitions at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi (2011); Emirates Fine Arts Society, Sharjah (2007); Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Dubai (2006); Sharjah Art Museum (2001) and Cairo Atelier (1992). Her work has also been shown in group exhibitions at the UAE Pavilion, 56th Venice Biennale (2015); sixth Photography Forum, Luxor (2013); fourth International Beijing Biennial (2010); International Art Festival, Korea (2010); China International Sculpture Symposium (2008); Tehran Contemporary Art Biennial (2002); Arab Female Artists Exhibition, Sharjah (1995) and Sharjah Biennials 1, 2 and 3 (1993, 1995, 1997).

Her many awards include the Artist’s Award, Arab Woman Awards, Dubai (2013); State Honour Award in Science, Literature and Arts (2008); Al Owais Award of Culture and Science, Dubai (1994); first edition of the Sharjah Biennial Award (1993) and an award from the first Al Ain Plastic Arts Exhibition (1991). She is an active participant in cultural organisations such as the Emirates Fine Arts Society, the GCC Art Friends Group, Al Jidar Fine Arts Group and Al Iyab Fine Arts Society.

Meky was the first Emirati woman to receive a scholarship from the UAE government to study art overseas. She received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts? relief sculpture? from Cairo College of Fine Arts in 1981 and a master’s degree in protrusions and metals from the same faculty in 1998. In 2001, she completed her Ph.D. in Metal Coins? Relief sculpture? at Cairo College of Fine Arts.

Meky was born in 1953 in Dubai, where she continues to live and work.

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