{"id":223560,"date":"2026-01-06T13:57:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T13:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/223560\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T13:57:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T13:57:11","slug":"papier-mache-plantation-inside-mohamed-ahmed-ibrahims-forest-inspired-exhibition-in-abu-dhabi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/223560\/","title":{"rendered":"Papier-mache plantation: Inside Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim\u2019s forest-inspired exhibition in Abu Dhabi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each one of Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim<\/a>\u2019s artworks is a fragment of an uplifting and vibrant world, complete with its own ecosystem, animals and even weather. <\/p>\n

His papier-mache sculptures are eight-legged insects craning their necks to the sky or arboreal forms stretching in neon and pastel hues. Microbial beings spangle his canvases with polychromatic verve. His towers are covered in curious, barnacle-like creatures. His chairs are life forms in themselves. <\/p>\n

Ibrahim has long been a staple at local art fairs and group exhibitions, but only slivers of his wondrous and fantastical world are typically presented at these events. In his solo exhibition at the Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi<\/a>, the artist reveals that world in its full, lively wonder. <\/p>\n

Two Clouds in the Night Sky is a celebration of the contributions of a pioneering figure on the UAE\u2019s contemporary arts scene. The exhibition, running until February 22, is not Ibrahim’s first solo, but it does represent a full circle in the artist\u2019s career. <\/p>\n

Among the first works in the exhibition is an untitled 1989 painting. It is immediately clear that the work is distinct from the other pieces within the exhibition. The colour palette leans towards earthy tones, and the forms within the piece are depicted in dizzying swirls. The painting is dynamic, and though it is clear that it represents the artistic vision that Ibrahim would develop and perfect in the decades that followed, it is a wholly separate work. <\/p>\n

Untitled (1989) was displayed in Ibrahim\u2019s first solo exhibition in 1991, which was first shown at Qasr Al Thaqafa in Sharjah before being presented at the Cultural Foundation, marking his earliest major institutional recognition.<\/p>\n

The piece is the oldest in Two Clouds in the Night Sky, and a rare example from that period. That isn\u2019t surprising, given Ibrahim set fire to most of his works in the late 1990s. <\/p>\n

As such, though the exhibition is sprawling and brings together a stunning diversity of work \u2013 from sculptures and paintings to installations \u2013 it would be amiss to call Two Clouds in the Night Sky a retrospective. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is more of a landmark show,\u201d says Noor Al Mehairbi<\/a>, who co-curated the show with Medyyah Al Tamimi<\/a>. \u201cI didn’t really show his works from a strict chronological view. Instead, I highlighted his recent practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

The exhibition is organised into four sections, each reflecting a distinct mode through which Ibrahim engages with the natural world and the subconscious.<\/p>\n

In Transit, the first and largest section, unfolds as an immersive environment in which papier-mache sculptures and paintings are gathered into a dense, forest-like formation. <\/p>\n

The curation is shrewd, trying not to spotlight any singular work but rather communicating a larger, enveloping ecology of forms. Clouds, insects, trees and Ibrahim\u2019s recurring cypher-like shapes appear as coexisting life forms, encouraging viewers to experience the space as a living landscape rather than a sequence of discrete objects.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted it to follow the same shape as one of his cypher forms, so that you could experience his work as a topography,\u201d Al Mehairbi says. \u201cYou can experience it from the second floor, looking down or think of yourself as a body existing within these forms.\u201d<\/p>\n

The space also presents one of Ibrahim\u2019s newest works, commissioned especially for the exhibition. An architectural intervention within the central space, Time\/Place\/Void comprises four colourful interconnected rooms inscribed with Ibrahim\u2019s signature line drawings. Walking from room to room, being enveloped in reds and greens and blues, is a giddy and uplifting experience. <\/p>\n

It is perhaps this installation that most succinctly distils Ibrahim\u2019s practice. The linear markings recall the drawings he once produced alongside office work, discreetly folding them away in his desk, while the physical act of moving through the saturated spaces alludes to the travel that has shaped his more recent work.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think of it like you’re entering other dimensions, or other portals into his mind, into his thought process, but also into our own internal geographies,\u201d Al Mehairbi says.<\/p>\n

The second section, Traces Made Visible, exclusively features Ibrahim\u2019s monochrome works. It is through these that the artist pares his practice down to its most elemental forms. The section is simultaneously a palate, or rather palette, cleanser, allowing viewers to appreciate the vibrancy of the preceding and successive works, as well as a means to admire the more formal aspects of Ibrahim\u2019s practice \u2013 his fantastical touch on papier-mache and his mastery of lines and the way they suggest movement.<\/p>\n

Ibrahim\u2019s Sitting Man series is at the heart of the third section, Shapeshifters. The core image of the series \u2013 of a man sitting with his head out of frame \u2013 originated from an accidentally cropped photograph of Ibrahim\u2019s longtime friend and mentor, Hassan Sharif. Ibrahim has produced numerous versions of the painting. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a meditative act,\u201d Al Mehairbi says. \u201cRepeating a line over and over again, or even with the Sitting Man series, repeating an image over and over again.\u201d <\/p>\n

The final section turns towards Ibrahim\u2019s enduring relationship with land. Archival materials delve into projects such as Draped Trees (1996) and Khorfakkan Circles (2004), where Ibrahim intervened directly in the mountains of his native Khor Fakkan<\/a> and used the landscape as an active artistic medium. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was doing land art even before he thought about it as an artistic category or a genre,\u201d Al Mehairbi says. \u201cIt was about leaving a mark and letting the land speak.\u201d<\/p>\n

The section also presents recent sculptural works, including a newly commissioned interactive work. \u201cIt only seemed natural to have an interactive format,\u201d AlMehairbi says. \u201cHow could you look at all these works and not feel the texture?\u201d <\/p>\n

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

The specs<\/p>\n

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo<\/p>\n

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm<\/p>\n

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm<\/p>\n

Transmission: 9-speed auto<\/p>\n

Fuel consumption: 6.9L\/100km<\/p>\n

On sale: Now<\/p>\n

Price: From Dh117,059<\/p>\n

BIRD%20BOX%20BARCELONA<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20and%20Alex%20Pastor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGeorgina%20Campbell%2C%20Mario%20Casas%2C%20Diego%20Calva%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets<\/p>\n

The Book of Collateral Damage<\/p>\n

Sinan Antoon<\/p>\n

(Yale University Press)<\/p>\n

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES<\/p>\n

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)<\/p>\n

Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)<\/p>\n

Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)<\/p>\n

West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)<\/p>\n

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)<\/p>\n

Sunday<\/p>\n

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)<\/p>\n

Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)<\/p>\n

Everton v Liverpool (10pm)<\/p>\n

Monday<\/p>\n

Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)<\/p>\n

COMPANY%20PROFILE<\/p>\n

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Switch%20Foods%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Edward%20Hamod%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plant-based%20meat%20production%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2034%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%246.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Based%20in%20US%20and%20across%20Middle%20East%3C%2Fp%3E%0A<\/p>\n

FIRST TEST SCORES<\/p>\n

England 458
South Africa 361 & 119 (36.4 overs)<\/p>\n

England won by 211 runs and lead series 1-0<\/p>\n

Player of the match: Moeen Ali (England)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Timeline<\/p>\n

2012-2015<\/p>\n

The company offers payments\/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East<\/p>\n

May 2017<\/p>\n

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac\u2019s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts<\/p>\n

September 2021<\/p>\n

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act<\/p>\n

October 2021<\/p>\n

Court fines Petrofac \u00a377 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence\u00a0<\/p>\n

December 2024<\/p>\n

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group<\/p>\n

May 2025<\/p>\n

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company\u2019s restructuring plan<\/p>\n

July 2025<\/p>\n

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan<\/p>\n

August 2025<\/p>\n

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision<\/p>\n

October 2025<\/p>\n

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth \u20ac13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange<\/p>\n

November 2025<\/p>\n

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE<\/p>\n

Europe\u2019s rearming plan
\nSuspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
\nCreate new “instrument” providing \u20ac150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
\nUse the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
\nEngage the bloc’s European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
\nCreate a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
\nFull list of brands available for Instagram Checkout<\/p>\n

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Michael Kors @michaelkors<\/p>\n

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Nike @niketraining & @nikewomen<\/p>\n

NYX Cosmetics @nyxcosmetics<\/p>\n

Oscar de la Renta @oscardelarenta<\/p>\n

Ouai Hair @theouai<\/p>\n

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Revolve @revolve<\/p>\n

Uniqlo @uniqlo<\/p>\n

Warby Parker @warbyparker<\/p>\n

Zara @zara<\/p>\n

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026 <\/p>\n

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years<\/p>\n

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.<\/p>\n

2. E-invoicing in the UAE<\/p>\n

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.\u00a0<\/p>\n

3. More tax audits<\/p>\n

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime<\/p>\n

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.<\/p>\n

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit<\/p>\n

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.<\/p>\n

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement<\/p>\n

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

7. Limited time periods for audits<\/p>\n

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

8. Pillar 2 implementation\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE’s implementation of the OECD\u2019s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.<\/p>\n

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services<\/p>\n

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus<\/p>\n

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups\u2019 global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer<\/p>\n

The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S<\/p>\n

Price, base \/ as tested: Dh409,000 \/ Dh467,000<\/p>\n

Engine: 3.0-litre V6<\/p>\n

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic<\/p>\n

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm<\/p>\n

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm<\/p>\n

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L \/ 100km<\/p>\n

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Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL<\/p>\n

Al Nasr 2<\/p>\n

(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)<\/p>\n

Shabab Al Ahli\u00a01<\/p>\n

(Jaber 13)<\/p>\n

My Country: A Syrian Memoir<\/p>\n

Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury<\/p>\n

Sam Smith<\/p>\n

Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n

When: Saturday November 24<\/p>\n

Rating: 4\/5<\/p>\n

SUZUME<\/p>\n

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FIGHT INFO<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s 60kg Round 1:<\/p>\n

Ahmad Shuja Jamal (AFG) beat Krisada Takhiankliang (THA) – points\u00a0
Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) beat Akram Alyminee (YEM) – retired Round 1
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Bhanu Pratap Pandit (IND) – TKO Round 1<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s 71kg Round 1:
Seyed Kaveh Soleyman (IRI) beat Abedel Rahman (JOR) – RSC round 3.
Amine Al Moatassime (UAE) walk over Ritiz Puri (NEP)<\/p>\n

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pocketsCompany%20profile<\/p>\n

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Silent Hill f <\/p>\n

Publisher: Konami<\/p>\n

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X\/S, PC<\/p>\n

Rating: 4.5\/5<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Each one of Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim\u2019s artworks is a fragment of an uplifting and vibrant world, complete with…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":223561,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[1585,787,122701,437,91691,434,435,436,438,146,85,46,2865,789],"class_list":{"0":"post-223560","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-abu-dhabi","9":"tag-art","10":"tag-art-exhibitions","11":"tag-arts","12":"tag-arts-culture-team","13":"tag-arts-and-design","14":"tag-artsanddesign","15":"tag-artsdesign","16":"tag-design","17":"tag-entertainment","18":"tag-il","19":"tag-israel","20":"tag-standard","21":"tag-story"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223560","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=223560"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223560\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/223561"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=223560"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=223560"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=223560"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}