Sharjah and Dubai: 35mm Archive

Gillian Kayrooz

Published August 2024

The series of images I’ve assembled captures moments of motion across the various spaces we traversed. These are the spaces that the Biennial inhabits, yet they do not depict the works of the Biennial itself. Whether it’s people travelling on local abras, bodies of water swelling and receding, children playing in courtyards, shadows shifting across narrow outdoor corridors, or myself as the photographer capturing a landscape while travelling by bus at over 60 km/h from one side of Sharjah to the other, each image represents a point of movement and transition.

Within these images lies a journey through a range of locales. I am drawn to the fluidity and spontaneity of 35mm film, a medium that allows me to capture moments with a profound sense of freedom. My preference for sharply contrasted black and white film accentuates the depth of each frame, enabling the environment and subjects to articulate their narratives vividly. While my focus extends to artworks exploring image-making beyond conventional photography, I meticulously curate this archive, perceiving it as a continuous exploration of identity and sense of place.

A black-and-white photograph shows the exterior of the Jameel Art Centre in Dubai, UAE. The foreground features a large, empty, and slightly dusty open area leading to a parking lot with a few parked cars. The art centre itself is characterised by its modern, geometric architecture with white cubic structures. In the background, tall, sleek buildings rise, adding a touch of urban landscape to the scene. Palm trees are visible to the right, enhancing the contrast between the natural and built environments. The sky is overcast, contributing to the photographer's contemplative mood.

A black-and-white photograph depicts a view of Dubai Creek with modern skyscrapers in the background. In the foreground, a traditional wooden boat is sailing on the water, creating a stark contrast between the old and new. The skyline features several distinctively shaped buildings, including one with a unique, angled design. The waterway is calm, and the image captures the blending of cultural heritage with contemporary urban development in Dubai.

A black-and-white photograph shows a traditional wooden abra boat filled with passengers crossing a waterway in Dubai. The boat has a canopy with the words Dubai and RTA printed on it. In the background, there is a mix of older buildings made of stone and modern structures, including a minaret and various architectural details that reflect the region's heritage. The scene captures a busy and culturally rich area, highlighting both the historical and contemporary elements of the city.

A black-and-white photograph captures a dramatic upward view of the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai, UAE. The image focuses on the mosque's ornate minaret, which features intricate geometric patterns and arched windows. Adjacent to the minaret, a dome with a crescent moon finial is visible, along with part of the mosque's facade adorned with decorative details. A single bird is seen flying in the sky above, adding a sense of movement and life to the scene. The photograph emphasises the architectural beauty and spiritual significance of the mosque against a clear sky.

A black-and-white photograph captures a scene at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, UAE. The foreground features a decorative railing with gothic-style arches, overlooking a small fountain with water jets. Beyond the railing, palm trees and lush landscaping frame the view of traditional Arabian-style buildings with wind towers and crenellated parapets. People can be seen strolling through the area, enjoying the outdoor space. The architecture and landscaping evoke a blend of historic and modern aesthetics, creating a picturesque and tranquil atmosphere.

A black-and-white photograph depicts a serene courtyard at Bayt Al Mamzar in Dubai, UAE. The scene features several small tables and folding chairs scattered across a paved area. To the left, there is a white building with a tiled roof and an open porch with tools leaning against the wall. The courtyard is adorned with various plants and palm trees, casting intricate shadows on the ground. The overall atmosphere is peaceful and inviting, suggesting a quiet place for relaxation or writing.

A black-and-white photograph shows a vast, empty beach with the skyline of Dubai in the background. The beach is wide and stretches into the distance, with a few scattered people visible, emphasising the openness of the space. The skyline features a mix of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers, creating a stark contrast between the natural sandy foreground and the urban landscape. The sky is partly cloudy, and the overall scene captures a calm and expansive view of the beach against the backdrop of the city.

A black-and-white photograph captures an open courtyard in Sharjah, UAE, known as Calligraphy Square. The foreground features a spacious, paved area with a single person walking near the entrance. The surrounding walls are tall and white, with traditional arched doorways and minimalistic detailing. In the background, modern residential buildings rise above the courtyard, contrasting with the traditional architecture of the square. The sky above is mostly clear with some wispy clouds, adding depth to the scene. The image highlights the blend of old and new in the urban landscape.

A black-and-white photograph captures a street scene in front of the Sharjah Art Museum. The museum building is prominent with its tall arched windows and large banners displaying exhibition information. In the foreground, several children are playing, with one riding a bicycle and others walking or standing around. The surrounding area includes additional buildings with traditional architectural elements, such as wind towers, blending with modern high-rise structures. The image captures a moment of everyday life against the backdrop of cultural and architectural heritage.

A black-and-white photograph shows a view of a mountainous landscape taken from a moving vehicle. In the foreground, a highway guardrail and the blurred image of a speeding motorcycle are visible. The rugged, rocky mountains dominate the background, with sparse vegetation and a tall, thin structure, possibly a flagpole, standing out against the natural terrain. The sky above is partly cloudy, adding depth to the scene. The image captures the contrast between the motion of the vehicle and the stillness of the mountainous environment.

A black-and-white photograph shows an abandoned kindergarten in Kalba, Sharjah, UAE. In the foreground, an old, rusted merry-go-round with seats is positioned in a barren, dirt-covered playground with sparse, overgrown vegetation. The background reveals a dilapidated, open-air structure with peeling paint and graffiti on the walls. The scene evokes a sense of neglect and decay, capturing the remnants of a once lively and active place for children.

A black-and-white photograph depicts a serene landscape featuring a body of water with a gentle curve, bordered by a paved walkway with a railing on the left side. Sparse young trees line the walkway. In the background, there is a bridge crossing the water, leading to a flat expanse of land with a few buildings and vegetation. Distant mountains are faintly visible through the hazy sky, adding depth to the tranquil scene. The image captures a quiet moment with a focus on the natural and constructed elements of the environment.

A black-and-white photograph shows a paved courtyard area with the shadows of palm trees cast on the ground. In the background, there are several tall palm trees lining a walkway or road. To the right, part of a modern building with large windows and geometric design elements is visible. The scene captures a quiet, sunny day with clear skies, emphasising the architectural and natural elements of the location.

A black-and-white photograph depicts a cityscape with a mix of traditional and modern architecture. In the foreground, there are several low-rise buildings with domed roofs, interspersed with palm trees and greenery. To the right, a taller, unfinished high-rise building stands prominently. The background features a skyline of high-rise buildings along a waterfront, showcasing the blend of contemporary and traditional elements in the city. The image captures the architectural diversity and urban development of the area.

A black and white image, captured on 35mm film by Gillian Karyooz in 2023, features the front entrance of the Al Zahra Mosque in Sharjah, UAE. The façade is adorned with elaborate patterns and Arabic calligraphy. Scaffolding is set up on the left side, signifying ongoing maintenance work. The mosque is located in Al Muraijah Square, part of the Al Mureijah historical quarter known for its historical significance dating back to the nineteenth century.

A black-and-white photograph shows a narrow corridor formed by a tall, rough-textured stone wall and smooth, modern white walls on either side. The stone wall extends vertically, creating a stark contrast with the sleek surfaces of the adjacent structures. In the background, dense foliage is partially visible, casting shadows on the ground. The scene captures the interplay between traditional and contemporary architectural elements, emphasizing texture and form.

Biographies

Gillian Kayrooz and her art practice was nurtured on unceded Dharug land, in Guildford, Western Sydney. She currently lives and works; between Gadigal and Dharug land in Sydney and Western Sydney. Kayrooz graduated with First Class Honours from the Sydney College of the Arts in 2018. In the same year, she was awarded the Create NSW Young Creative Leaders Fellowship which led her to exhibit internationally in the Asia-Pacific region and complete residencies at the Chengdu Academy of Fine Arts in China, as well as the Sapporo Tenjinyama Artist Studio and the Tokyo ARTnSHELTER Gallery Precinct in Japan.

Her work has been shown extensively in solo and group exhibitions across Australia, including spaces such as Artspace, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Fairfield City Museum and Gallery, Firstdraft, The Granville Arts Centre, Penrith Regional Gallery, Urban Theatre Projects, The Powerhouse Museum, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, and most recently in 2023, she presented her first institutional solo exhibition at the Murray Art Museum in Albury.

Kayrooz held a studio artist tenancy at the Parramatta Artist Studios from 2020-2021 and was appointed Co-Director, and Co-Chair of Firstdraft from 2021-2023. She is currently participating in ‘Counterflows’, a program commissioned by Artshouse (Melbourne) and UTP (Sydney), that enabled her to undertake research and participate in the ‘March Meeting’ program as part of the 2023 Sharjah Biennale in the UAE. In 2024 Gillian was the recipient of the Create NSW x Artspace Visual Arts Emerging Fellowship. She is also the Vitocco Curator at the Powerhouse Museum, focusing on engaging the communities and histories of South-West Sydney for the Parramatta Powerhouse.