This exhibition contrasts contemporary and traditional art: Ali’s work merges modern photography, while Niga’s pieces evolve from traditional printmaking to contemporary mixed media.
Ali’s black-and-white photographs, minimal in style and embodying silence, focus on space, stillness, and light, reducing moments to their most essential forms. On the other hand, Niga’s work resonates with the sounds of the past, capturing quiet stories often forgotten.
The exhibition invites viewers to engage with this unique visual conversation and create their own personal reflections on memory.
About the Artists
Niga Sayyed
Niga Sayyed is a printmaker and visual artist born in Pakistan. A National College of Arts, Lahore, graduate with a Bachelor in Fine Arts (Printmaking), she did her post-graduation in Poland and received MFA (2016–2018) and Doctorate in Fine Arts (2019–2022) from The Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Arts and Design, Wroclaw. She was previously a visiting assistant professor at the University of Sharjah, Department of Fine Arts and Design. Her art traverses different cultures, having lived in Dubai, the U.A.E., and Europe, thus her experiences impact her work. Her art has been exhibited internationally including at RAK Art Festival (2025), Omsk Museum of Fine Arts (Russia), the University at Buffalo (New York, USA), Wroclaw Contemporary Museum (Poland) and the South Asian Contemporary Printmaking Exhibition (China), as well as in Iran, Spain, Denmark, Romania, and Pakistan.
Ali Zolghadri
Ali Zolghadri is an internationally recognized fine art and conceptual photographer whose work blends minimalism, surrealism, and deep visual storytelling. With a passion for high-contrast black-and-white compositions, he creates visually striking images that challenge perception and evoke emotions. His meticulous approach involves photo manipulation and compositing techniques, allowing him to craft dreamlike scenarios that transcend ordinary reality. Over the years, Ali has received more than 100 international photography awards from over 20 countries, solidifying his reputation as one of the leading fine art photographers in his genre. His work has been exhibited globally and featured in renowned publications, gaining recognition from both art critics and collectors. In recognition of his artistic contributions, Ali has been awarded the prestigious UAE Golden Visa, reflecting his impact on the region’s cultural and artistic landscape. His photography has not only won major competitions, but has also inspired emerging artists to explore the boundaries of fine art photography.
About XVA Gallery
XVA Gallery is one of the leading galleries in the Middle East that specializes in contemporary art from the Arab world, Iran, and the Subcontinent. Exhibitions focus on works by the region’s foremost artists as well as those emerging onto the scene. The gallery’s artists express their different cultural identities and perspectives while challenging the viewer to drop prejudices and borders. XVA Gallery and XVA Art Hotel are located in Dubai’s heritage district, now called Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. XVA founded and organized the Bastakiya Art Fair from 2007-2010 as part of its commitment to raising the profile of contemporary art practice in Dubai.
For more information, please visit https://www.xvagallery.com/.
