The Jellabiya Store 2022
Adeena Nair (b. 2004-)
Digital print
40cm x 30cm
The digital painting rendered in a realistic style, illustrates an exterior landscape which features a traditional Jellabiya (a loose-fitting, traditional Arabic garment) store in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, painted on the iPad Pro software, Procreate. The composition manipulates various tones of Mars Black and Chinese White, analogous Cerulean Blue, Viridian Hue, Raw Sienna and Cadmium Red, and is based on a photograph taken in Madinat Zayed (shopping center). In the background of the painting, the textiles and traditional Emirati head pieces, (ghutra) can be seen, while in the middle ground is stacks, layered with various Jellabiyas. The minute details of the store portrays the local accessories and traditional symbology such as the poster of Sheikh Zayed (Founding father of the UAE) in the foreground. The artwork comments on the cultural aspect of nightlife within Abu Dhabi while also displaying the various cultures present within the UAE. Jellabiyas are local to Egypt, Ethiopia and other countries which also acknowledges the diversity of cultures in this city. Considering the store is open during the night, the function of the is Social as it comments on the small business members of UAE gaining financial stability through working longer hours.