The Founders
Salem Aljunibi
Founder and CEO of "Thinking Art" Foundation, specializing in publishing, culture, and education. Served as the President of the Emirates Fine Arts Society from 2018 to 2023 and is considered one of the prominent young figures in the UAE's cultural scene. As an artist, writer, and art curator, he played a significant role in promoting national culture by organizing exhibitions and authoring publications that explore themes of art, heritage, and identity. He has also participated as a jury member in local and international competitions and conducted workshops aimed at developing young talents and elevating the UAE's status as a global cultural and artistic hub
He began his artistic journey in Sharjah, refining his vision at the Sharjah Institute of Arts between 1999 and 2006. His first solo exhibition, titled "Time and Place", was held in 2012, expressing his profound perspective on time as heritage and place as an evolving element. He has represented the UAE in numerous local and international exhibitions and participated in various events and festivals
During his tenure as President of the Emirates Fine Arts Society, he launched several strategic initiatives, including fostering partnerships and collaborations with various institutions, publishing documentary art books and exhibition booklets, revitalizing and developing the society's magazine Al Tashkeel, and initiating the restoration and preservation project of the "Arts Library" and its contents. This project was nominated for the ICCROM-Sharjah Award in recognition of efforts to safeguard cultural heritage
His efforts have been widely recognized, earning him a Certificate of Appreciation from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, as well as an honorary award from the Sharjah Police General Command in acknowledgment of his contributions to the nation, art, and culture
"Existence is the power to impact"
Dr. Noha Hilal Farran
Founder and CEO of Thinking Art Foundation for Publishing, Culture, and Education, historian, publisher,academic, researcher, curator, visual artist, and editor-in-chief of Al Tashkeel magazine. Dr. Farran boasts a distinguished record of academic, artistic, and cultural achievements, with significant contributions to visual arts, higher education, publishing, and cultural documentation
She holds a Doctorate with distinction in Arts and Science of Art, a Master's degree in Visual Arts and Art Techniques, a Master's in Philosophy and Art History, a High Studies Diploma in Fine Arts, and a Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering and Sciences
She has published numerous books documenting the art and cultural movements of the Arab world in both Arabic and English. Notable works include Arab Art Between Modernism and Postmodernism, Heritage, Modernity, and Art Through Lebanese Eyes, The Evolution of the Cultural Movement in the UAE, Heritage and Creativity, and the Key Factors for the Success of the Creative Economy. She has also published two encyclopedias: Art, Heritage, and Identity and Memory and Art, the latter documenting the early stages of the cultural movement in the UAE, its phases, and the development of education and the arts
Dr. Farran has taught at the university level as a professor and head of the Art and Design Department, where she contributed to curriculum development and coordinated academic programs, focusing on integrating theoretical and practical aspects of the arts. She has organized and participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, served on local and international juries for evaluating artworks and awards, and contributed to cultural conferences and the organization of cultural events
She has received a Certificate of Appreciation from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, in recognition of her research and documentation efforts. She is honored as one of the top 100 intellectual, literary, and historical figures in the Since Cadmus: Builders of Civilization encyclopedic study. Dr. Farran was also recognized for her voluntary efforts and support for the Emirates Fine Arts Society and her contribution to the advancement of art and culture in the UAE
With her extensive academic background and achievements, Dr. Noha Hilal Farran is dedicated to preserving and documenting Arab cultural and artistic heritage for future generations, while continuously supporting the UAE's art scene through her volunteer work and cultural initiatives
