Ishara Art Foundation Launches Urdu World Public Programme for This Date
Explore language, art, and identity through interactive workshops and a special book launch.
- Publish date: Friday، 15 May 2026 Reading time: 3 min reads
This weekend of May 16–17, 2026, Ishara Art Foundation invites art enthusiasts, families, and book lovers to explore the intersection of language, art, and identity through a dynamic public programme tied to its current exhibition, ‘Urdu Worlds.’
Curated by Hammad Nasar, ‘Urdu Worlds’ presents a compelling dialogue between Pakistani multimedia artist Ali Kazim and the legendary printmaker Zarina, both deeply influenced by the Urdu language despite their generational and geographical divides. Kazim’s immersive works—ranging from sculptures made of human hair to drawings composed of dust particles—are juxtaposed with Zarina’s delicate, minimalist prints that weave Urdu poetry and script into visual narratives.
📅 Programme Highlights
🎨 ‘Words, Worlds and Wondering’ – Family Workshop
📍 Date & Time: Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Location: Ishara Art Foundation (WH 3) & Wisdom Warehouse (WH 49A), Alserkal Avenue
💰 Participation Fee: AED 100 (administered by Wisdom Warehouse)
🔗 Pre-registration required: [Insert registration link]
Designed for children aged 8–12, this interactive workshop invites young participants to explore how artists transform abstract ideas into creative expression. The session begins with a guided tour of ‘Urdu Worlds’, encouraging kids to engage with themes of language, identity, and belonging. Following the tour, they’ll move to the Wisdom Warehouse studio, where they’ll create their own art—whether through drawing, collage, or poetry—inspired by the exhibition.
📖 ‘Alphabet Book | Urdu Qaida’ Book Launch
📍 Date & Time: Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 4:00 – 5:30 PM
📍 Location: The Common Room (WH51), Alserkal Avenue & Online (Zoom)
🔗 Zoom Link: [Insert Zoom link]
🎤 Open to the public | Seating subject to availability
Ishara Art Foundation will launch ‘Alphabet Book | Urdu Qaida’, a new publication by Ali Kazim and Hammad Nasar, published by Ochre Books. The event features a conversation between Kazim, Nasar, and publisher Anita Dawood, moderated by writer and researcher Saira Ansari.
Developed alongside ‘Urdu Worlds’, the book juxtaposes the Urdu alphabet with Kazim’s artworks, exploring the histories and landscapes of South Asia. The discussion will delve into the collaborative process behind the book, its design evolution, and its role as both an educational tool and an artistic extension of the exhibition.
The event will conclude with a guided tour of ‘Urdu Worlds’, led by Sasha Altaf, Director of Ishara Art Foundation. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on Zoom.
🎟️ Why Attend?
- For families: A creative, hands-on workshop to inspire young minds.
- For art lovers: A deep dive into the relationship between language and visual art.
- For book enthusiasts: A rare opportunity to explore the making of a unique Urdu alphabet book.
- For the community: A chance to engage with Pakistani and South Asian cultural narratives in Dubai.
‘Urdu Worlds’ remains on view at Ishara Art Foundation until June 8, 2026, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the visceral and poetic worlds of Ali Kazim and Zarina.