Bridging Tradition and Modernity in Emirati Art
Rukni, an esteemed Emirati artist, known formally as Ahmad Al Awadhi, is a passionateadvocate and practitioner of art within the UAE. By day, he is a businessman, but hisevenings are dedicated to nurturing the local art scene and supporting emerging talent. Proficient in both landscapes and portraits, Rukni’s current artistic journey embraces pop art. He frequently exhibits his work and is now co-curating with First Wish Art Gallery an exhibition set to tour 12 countries. Art has always been a part of Rukni’s life. At just eight years old, he was sketching palm trees and crafting portraits. Although he initially joined the family gift business in Sharjah, a friend’s admiration for his art twodecades ago encouraged him to publicly display his work, leading to his debut exhibition in Al Mamzar. Rukni’s early paintings captured the essence of traditionalEmirati architecture, but his focus has now shifted to portraits in a pop art style, depicting iconic figures such as Frida Kahlo and Sheikh Zayed. Rukni’s creative processis an immersive experience, often painting late into the night while listening to classicalmusic. Entirely self-taught, his journey wasn’t always appreciated, but today he receivesacclaim and respect. His art is a tribute to Emirati culture, aiming to showcase its beautyto the world. A notable piece is his portrait of Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, commemorating their meeting in Abu Dhabi during the UAE’s Year ofTolerance, 2019.