What: Views 4 Women panel discussion.
Where: Showcase Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz.
When: Tuesday October 30.

As a female artist, this event sounded as though it would be right up my alley. The panel discussion was between four visual artists on ‘the socio-political impact of their artistic work within the region, and the relevance of their work on the global dialogue on women in art’ – phew. What an exhausting, intriguing mouthful.

Unfortunately, being typically scatty, I ended up horrendously late. First I spilled orange juice down my front. Then my five-year-old daughter fell over and needed my attention. And of course I had no petrol in the car. So, after eventually arriving at Showcase Gallery, I quietly slid into the back of the packed room for the remaining half of the discussion.

The first thing I noticed was New-York based photographer Francesca Galliani’s dynamic exhibition, ‘Beyond Rhythm’, hanging on the walls. Her electric photo montages, painted on top of photographs, were so raw and beautiful you could almost feel the movement and joy behind them.

Along with the inspiring artwork came a different crowd. Everyone had a bohemian, intellectual air about them – as much as I love the fashionistas, I admit this made a nice change.

I whizzed around with my camera clicking away for inspiration, and spotted statuesque photographer Heike Buelau. The last time I met Heike, she had a mohawk. She has great style and I knew with all her wonderful tattoos she had to be inked. After discussing issues ranging from being a female in art to the lack of negative art critiquing in this region (it was heavy stuff), we were up for a mood-lightening surprise. Heike suddenly rushed upstairs and gave an amazing impromptu operatic performance – she also uses singing as part of her artistic expressions.

After that fantastic ice-breaker, everyone warmed up and began to mingle – it was time for the social chit-chat to begin. But I found myself too absorbed in Francesca’s work to join in, and suddenly realised the whole evening had flown by. Admittedly, I hadn’t been the social butterfly I usually attempt to be, but my feet at least, were thanking me for it. It was time to go home.
For more of Hatty’s sketches and blog, see www.hattypedder.com.