Rising Omani visual artist Mays Al Moosawi is set to showcase her latest body of work: Dear Self, You've Witnessed Women at War to be Themselves, Love Mays - during Dubai’s upcoming Art Week in April 2025. Staged in a private residence for one night only, this deeply personal exhibition offers an intimate insight into the artist’s world, where she fearlessly explores themes of self-discovery, the complexities of discomfort and the impact on interpersonal relationships.

Replicating the raw, unfiltered atmosphere of her studio, the exhibition breaks traditional boundaries, transforming the venue into a living, breathing space where art is not just displayed but experienced. Driven by her ongoing journey of self-discovery, Mays invites the audience into her journey, blurring the lines between creation and presentation. In doing so, visitors are given the opportunity to witness the artist’s creative process first-hand, engaging with her innermost thoughts and works in progress in real-time. Dear Self is more than just an art show; it is an invitation to enter Mays’s most authentic universe where her paintings, sketches, works-in-progress and personal artifacts create an atmosphere of intimacy and authenticity, allowing visitors to engage with the art on a deeply personal level: each piece serves as a page from Mays’s diary.

“This exhibition is my most personal yet,” says Mays. “It’s a space where I allow myself to be vulnerable, to question the world around me and to share the moments of introspection that fuel my work. By recreating my studio, I want people to see the art not just as finished pieces but as fragments of my ongoing journey.” The body of work reflects Mays’s artistic evolution over the past year, including her transformative residency in Leipzig followed by an introspective retreat, both a pivotal milestone in her development where she was encouraged to dive deeper into her self-exploration. The outcome reflects themes of personal development, love, complexities of relationships and importance of familial traditions and legacy. Mays incorporates thread and fabric to explore connection, nature, and animal imagery. Emerging techniques like spray paint symbolise her freedom of expression, while embroidery honours the female legacy of tapestry making in her family.

Mays Al Moosawi is rapidly gaining recognition for her unique voice in the art world, both with seasoned collectors and a younger generation of art enthusiasts. As a powerful voice for those navigating the complexities of identity, relationships, and self-discovery, her work resonates with individuals seeking authenticity in an often-overwhelming world. Dear Self offers an intimate, unfiltered look at self-expression and invites viewers to engage deeply with the creative process and connect with the artist’s raw, honest exploration of personal and collective experiences.