Jassim Alawadhi
Jassim Rabia Al-Awadhi is an Emirati visual artist, photographer, and gemstone artisan whose work stands at the intersection of memory, heritage, and contemporary expression. Over the past years, he has built a distinctive artistic voice shaped by deep engagement with the landscapes of the UAE, the poetics of objects, and the philosophical dimensions of the image.
As a photographer, Alawadhi is known for his atmospheric portraits, conceptual series, and archival documentation of cultural heritage, most notably his rare aerial photographs of Dubai from the 1980s.
Photography forms the foundation of Al Awadhi’s artistic language. His images often explore atmosphere, stillness, and the emotional weight of environments shaped by human presence. Through portraiture, conceptual sequences, and archival approaches, he treats the photograph as both document and philosophical object.
A significant strand of his practice involves cultural documentation. His interest in early photographic processes and analogue equipment has led to the development of a personal archive focused on vintage cameras and image making tools. This archive functions as a bridge between earlier visual technologies and contemporary artistic inquiry, reinforcing his interest in how images carry memory across generations.
Parallel to his photographic work, Al Awadhi is a gemstone artisan and collector, working primarily with stones sourced from Emirati valleys. Agate and jade like materials are transformed through cutting, polishing, and design into contemporary objects that sit between craft, sculpture, and narrative artefact. These works draw attention to geology as a record of time, linking natural formation with human intervention.
His exhibitions include presentations in the UAE and international contexts, with participation in portrait exhibitions through the Emirates Fine Arts Society and involvement in national cultural initiatives. Across media, his practice remains consistent in intent, to preserve, reinterpret, and reframe heritage through a contemporary visual lens.
Among his photographic interests is the documentation of urban transformation. His archive includes early aerial views of Dubai from the late twentieth century, offering a rare perspective on the city’s rapid development. These images contribute to a broader cultural record, reinforcing his commitment to visual history and preservation.