ASWAR

Artist, Writer, Publisher

Founder and CEO of Thinking Art Foundation & ASWAR Art Centre

Aljunibi is recognized among the leading young cultural figures in the UAE. As an artist, writer, publisher, curator, and founder of key cultural initiatives, he has played a pivotal role in establishing and leading platforms that support artistic production, critical discourse, and the preservation of heritage. Through the Thinking Art Foundation and ASWAR Art Centre, he has created sustainable spaces for exhibitions, publications, research, and dialogue that engage with art, identity, and national memory.

Aljunibi serves as Vice President of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and previously held its presidency from 2018 to 2023. During his tenure, he contributed significantly to the development of the UAE’s cultural field through exhibitions, publications, mentorship, and strategic collaboration with cultural institutions. His artistic practice and key publications reflect a sustained commitment to documenting and advancing contemporary artistic discourse. By integrating creative practice, research, and community engagement, Aljunibi continues to play an influential role in shaping the region’s evolving cultural ecosystem.

Researcher, Publisher, Professor

Founder and CEO of Thinking Art Foundation & ASWAR Art Centre, Chief Editor of Altashkeel magazine

Dr. Noha Farran stands as a leading cultural architect in the Arab world. Her sustained contributions to art historiography, academic research, publishing, and institution-building have fostered meaningful cultural integration and strengthened intellectual bridges between the Levant and the Gulf. Her work plays a vital role in preserving Arab cultural memory while shaping its contemporary discourse and future trajectories.

Dr. Farran holds a Ph.D. in Art and the Science of Arts, an MFA in Fine Arts, and an MA in Philosophy. She has authored more than 30 books and numerous peer-reviewed studies. Among her notable publications are Thinking Art: Tracing the Evolution of Art and Culture in the UAE, Heritage and Creativity, Memory & Art (an encyclopedic documentation of the early cultural movement in the UAE), and The Creative Economy: The Interplay of Art and Industry Between Theory and Practice.

She has provided strategic academic leadership as Head of the Art and Design Department, overseeing curriculum development and faculty coordination. Beyond academia, she has served as a jury member for prestigious cultural awards, curated significant exhibitions, and presented her artistic work in respected local and international venues.

In recognition of her voluntary cultural service and intellectual contributions, she was awarded the “Medal of Giving” and was listed among the 100 distinguished cultural and intellectual figures in Since Cadmus: We Are Civilization Builders.