A Solo Exhibition "Memories are Home" by Salmah Almansoori at Cala del Forte, Ventimiglia

"Memories are Home" features the works of Emirati artist Salmah Al Mansoori, hosted in the city of Ventimiglia, Italy, and organized by FIDAPA Porta d'Italia e Orizzonti and ARTEK in collaboration with Firetti Contemporary and curated by Mara Firetti.

The United Arab Emirates stands as a pillar of progress and cultural richness, blending modernity with tradition. In this dynamic milieu, a new wave of artists leads the charge in capturing the nation’s evolution.

Originally from Ghayathi, Abu Dhabi, Al Mansoori intertwines themes of growth and tradition in her works, reflecting the evolution of the United Arab Emirates. Her works explore the interaction between environment and identity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining one’s roots in a rapidly evolving context.

The exhibition presents two prominent series of works by Almansoori, “Who I Became” and “I Reminisce in Colours,” both offering a unique lens into the evolving UAE landscape while stressing the importance of safeguarding its identity amid rapid changes.

“Who I Became” explores the interplay between her environment and evolving identity. By revisiting her hometown, Ghayathi, through documented images and nostalgic memories, she examines how spaces shape one’s essence, shedding light on her history, identity, and culture. Central to this series is the process of transferring photographs onto tiles sourced from places significant in her life, imbuing them with the weight of time and memory. This exploration not only captures individual moments but also traces her broader journey of growth and transformation.

For Al Mansoori, place transcends mere geography, serving as a nexus for understanding identity formation. She believes our surroundings subconsciously absorb our thoughts, emotions, and memories, influencing our connection to roots, culture, and identity.

Her newest series, “I Reminisce in Colours”, examines the diverse landscapes of Ghayathi, from desert expanses to urban evolution, reflecting the city’s profound impact on her identity. Through painting, Al Mansoori finds solace, expressing her experiences and emotions in intricate layers of color, each stroke a fragment of her journey.

Inspired by her experiences of moving to Abu Dhabi and embarking on weekly round trips, she began to view Ghayathi from an outsider’s perspective, sparking her curiosity about the origins of the city’s name and its significance. The narrative traces back to the Bedouins who first discovered a source of groundwater in the area, leading to the establishment of Ghayathi as a city of grace and rest. As one of the pioneering families in Ghayathi, Salmah reflects on her family’s connection to the city and its role as a sanctuary amidst the desert landscape.

Al Mansoori’s work, presented in Italy, allows us to contemplate the ways in which nations can maintain their roots while embracing future thinking. Her work showcases how cultural heritage and modern innovation can coexist, inspiring global audiences to reflect on their own cultural identities and progress.

Despite the rich history and culture of the Western world, there is often a sense of disconnection from the foundational roots of our culture, which can hinder our ability to move forward and fully embrace the future. In contrast, we can draw inspiration from the UAE, a nation that exemplifies forward movement, to propel ourselves out of stagnation and into a dynamic and progressive future.

About Salmah Almansoori

Salmah Almansoori is an Abu Dhabi-based multidisciplinary artist, born in Ghayathi, Aldhafra, in 2001. Her studio practice delves into the intersections of place and memory, resulting in a diverse body of work that spans site-specific installations, painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and video. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Art from Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE, in 2023.

A core theme that infuses her work is the concept that a place is more than just a geographical location—it’s a vortex for understanding the construction of our identities in the world. Almansoori believes that physical locations unintentionally absorb thoughts, emotions, and memories. For her, a sense of place can either connect us more deeply to our roots or lead us to question, challenge, or even reject our origins, culture, and identity.

In her creative practice, Almansoori artfully collects memories, whether through the fluidity of the brush and acrylic or by gathering materials and objects to serve as canvases for exploration through drawing, painting, and mixed media. Her body of work is profoundly influenced by her hometown of Ghayathi, the natural landscapes that stretch across the vast deserts, and the physical environment of the UAE.

Recent and upcoming exhibitions on her horizon encompass a solo showcase at The Warehouse, Dubai (2023), curated by Fatima AlKurdi; appearances in The Design District, Dubai (2023); The Foundry Gallery, Dubai (2022); Puertas Adentro, Punta Del Este, Uruguay (2022); and participation in The 4th International Digital Media Triennial, Poland (2021). Salmah Almansoori has also been an active participant in various residency programs, including Volume 6, Samt Alternative Art School Residency Program, Dubai (2022), MANGO Residencia Para Artistas, Argentina, and Puertas Adentro, Casa de Artista, Uruguay (2022).