Funun Arts Group Unveils ‘Threads of Life’ Celebrating Art, Culture & Sustainability

Sharjah, UAE – Art has always been a language that transcends borders, but every so often, a project comes along that reminds us of its full power – to connect people, preserve heritage, and promote sustainability. Funun Arts Group, in collaboration with Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre, recently unveiled “Threads of Life – An Artistic Tribute to Global Weaves”, a landmark exhibition that redefines the way art interacts with culture, community, and the environment.

Launched in celebration of the Year of Community – UAE 2025, this exhibition goes far beyond a conventional art show. It brings together creativity, cultural heritage, and sustainability in a way that is both visually captivating and socially meaningful. The project invited sixteen accomplished artists to transform discarded hotel linens and textiles from across the globe into artistic scrolls, each telling a unique story that bridges history with innovation, individuality with collective identity, and imagination with responsibility.

A Grand Opening Ceremony

The exhibition opened with a vibrant ceremony, attended by a distinguished lineup of cultural leaders, artists, and community figures. Among the guests were Her Excellency Halima Ahmed Al Sayegh (Ambassador of Cultural Diplomacy, Historian & Writer), international artist Meena Kamal (Co-Founder & Owner, MRK Contemporary Art Gallery), entrepreneur Rayad Kamal Ayub, Emirati artist Ahmed Al Awadhi, and renowned art critic Mohammad Yusuf. Their presence highlighted the significance of this first-of-its-kind initiative in the UAE’s art landscape, reinforcing the exhibition’s themes of creativity, sustainability, and community.

Other notable attendees included Naimuddin Syed, Regional Marketing Manager of Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes, and Anjini Prakash Laitu, Lifetime Achievement Awardee, Artist & Mentor. The event also drew prominent cultural figures, artists, and art enthusiasts, creating an atmosphere of inspiration and shared appreciation for innovative artistic expression.

The Vision Behind Threads of Life

The concept for Threads of Life was born from a question posed during a creative brainstorming session: “How can we create something unique, meaningful, and sustainable?” Shiba Khan, Founder of Funun Arts Group, recalls approaching Novotel Sharjah Expo Centre with an unusual request – to repurpose their discarded hotel linens as canvases for the exhibition. The hotel’s immediate support gave birth to a bold and revolutionary idea.

Instead of traditional canvases, the participating artists were invited to work on upcycled fabrics, some previously used in hotels, along with sixteen different textiles from around the world. Each fabric carried its own history and cultural heritage, creating a dialogue between the past and present, sustainability and imagination.

Farah Khan, Co-Founder of Funun Arts Group, explained:
"Each fabric carries a story. By painting on them, our artists were not just reusing materials – they were rewriting histories. Every brushstroke became a conversation between heritage, sustainability, and imagination. This is storytelling at its most authentic and responsible form."

Art Meets Sustainability

The exhibition’s innovative approach makes sustainability an integral part of its identity. The use of discarded fabrics challenges traditional ideas of artistic materials, showing that beauty and cultural value can emerge from what might otherwise be considered waste. By giving these fabrics new life, the project not only celebrates environmental responsibility but also emphasizes the importance of rethinking our relationship with everyday materials.

Mr. Robin, General Manager of Novotel Sharjah, said:
"Visitors were invited to experience each scroll as a living narrative, unfolding stories of identity, memory, and community. The combination of discarded linens and traditional textiles created a visual and emotional impact, reminding audiences that threads – whether in fabric or in human connection – have the power to unite."

The Artists and Their Stories

The success of Threads of Life lies in the diversity and creativity of its sixteen participating artists. They include Afsheen Beig, Ashwini Gawade, Chadi Nassar, Dr. Anum Anwar Ali, Dr. Poonam Chauhan, Faiza Ishaque Gondal, Jyoti Devdhar, Jyoti Singla, Mukta Chaubisa, Mussarat Yasmin, Sabrin Asker Ali, Sahar Shabnoor Ansari, Saida Banu, Sara Madan, and Soobika Fawad. Each artist brought their own techniques, perspectives, and cultural influences to the project, transforming fabrics into scrolls that celebrate resilience, diversity, and shared humanity.

Every scroll tells a unique story while contributing to the exhibition’s overarching theme: the interconnection of communities, traditions, and creativity. The raw textures and frayed edges of the fabrics were intentionally retained, reflecting both the authenticity of the materials and the exhibition’s commitment to sustainability.

Threads of Life as a Cultural Statement

The exhibition goes beyond visual beauty. It is a statement about the intersection of heritage and innovation, illustrating how traditions can be preserved while embracing contemporary artistic practices. It encourages viewers to reconsider the materials they use, the stories they tell, and the way communities can come together to celebrate shared values.

Ms. Meena Kamal, founder of MRK Contemporary Art Gallery, remarked:
"The beauty of this exhibition lies in its simplicity – fabrics once considered useless have become priceless carriers of culture and creativity."

Similarly, Naimuddin Syed Ahmed of Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes said:
"Threads of Life is a remarkable initiative that celebrates global textile traditions while emphasizing sustainability and cultural unity. It inspires us to see how art can connect communities and reflect the values the UAE upholds."

Celebrating the Year of Community – UAE 2025

The theme of the exhibition aligns closely with the Year of Community – UAE 2025, which emphasizes connection, unity, and collective responsibility. By bringing together artists from different cultural backgrounds and encouraging them to work with global textiles, Threads of Life became a living demonstration of community in action.

Each artistic scroll tells a story of identity, memory, and belonging, yet collectively, they reflect a universal truth: we are all connected through invisible threads of culture, history, and shared humanity.

Funun Arts Group’s Vision and Legacy

Funun Arts Group has long been recognized for championing diversity, innovation, and cultural engagement in the UAE. With Threads of Life, the group once again demonstrates its ability to merge art, sustainability, and community, creating an exhibition that resonates locally and globally.

"Threads of Life is more than an art exhibition – it is a legacy," the organizers said. "It shows that sustainability and creativity can coexist, that traditions can be reinterpreted for modern audiences, and that artists have the power to turn discarded materials into timeless stories."

Impact and Inspiration

Threads of Life is a reminder that art is not limited to aesthetic appeal; it can heal, connect, preserve, and inspire. By transforming discarded fabrics into artistic scrolls, Funun Arts Group and its participating artists celebrate both community and sustainability, proving that creativity can drive meaningful change.

In every thread, a story is told. In every fabric, a culture is preserved. In every scroll, a community is celebrated. Threads of Life weaves together the past, present, and future – one fabric at a time.

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