Mohamed Yousif’s work blends his interests in theatre and abstract art, stemming from his experience of teaching both subjects in the UAE and also his early engagement with performance. Following a period of producing wooden sculptures, Yousif’s practice shifted towards creating works in multiples—a deliberate choice that reflects his ongoing exploration of rhythm. Through repetition, he generates a dynamic visual dialogue that guides the viewer’s gaze across the work, evoking a sense of movement and continuity.

Black Works (2012–2013), shown in the UAE Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale (2015), comprises two series of distorted bicycles—each with three bikes—that resemble dancing bodies. Yousif describes the bicycles as metaphors for women carrying generations, with the cyclical form representing continuity and renewal. The series also underscores Yousif’s recycling ethos, incorporating repurposed industrial objects alongside natural materials. This practice became particularly significant during the rapid industrial transformation in Sharjah, his home emirate.