شمسه O

What We Celebrate

What We Celebrate A feast of jello in shades of candy red appears soft and consumable, yet remains permanently inedible. Embedded within each form are sharp fragments of glass and ceramic, suspended beneath intact surfaces. The injury is concealed rather than expressed. Nothing appears broken; nothing ruptures. Harm exists without evidence, normalized through preservation and aesthetic appeal. Rather than depicting celebration as fulfillment, the work questions what is endured, what is absorbed, and what remains unacknowledged in order for celebration to take place. What is presented as sweetness is preserved alongside danger.. untouched, intact, and unresolved.

📆 Preview Invitation: ‘Shamsa Al Omaira: Hard Like Tears, Soft Like Glass’ Iris Projects is pleased to present its first solo exhibition by Shamsa Al Omaira, a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Abu Dhabi. Evocations of duality occupy a prominent position in Shamsa Al Omaira’s work. Sources of safety and comfort, namely childhood bedding and memories of jello desserts, morph into soft-looking sculptures laced with hidden or overt symbols of harm in ceramic and glass shards. It is as if she is asking what are the precarious structures that hold a childhood together and how do they break? As part of the gallery’s programme, Al Omaira was mentored by UAE-based curator and art critic Nadine Khalil over the last year, resulting in a development of her practice and experimentation with new mediums, including woodwork, stitching and installation works. 📍Join us for the opening on the 23rd of January 2026, from 4-6pm. The exhibition will be on view from 23 January - 30 April. Image: ‘What We Celebrate,’ 2025 by Shamsa Al Omaira © Ismail Noor of Seeing Things.

|لا أرى، لا أسمع، لا اتكلم| The phrase used serves as a symbolic reminder of the virtues of moral restraint and ethical conduct. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil; this phrase can be implemented in many aspects of our lives and serves as a self-disciplinary tool as well. How does this reflect in our day to day? Deep red circles are placed to mark moments where the principles conveyed in the text have been compromised. These painted circles highlight moments of imperfections; instances where I was unable to uphold the ideals of seeing, hearing, or speaking no evil. Revealing such imperfection becomes a reminder of human fallibility and the continuous struggle for self-discipline.

Was writing lines a disciplinary tool or was it merely an act of physical and emotional punishment? An installation exploring a disciplinary tool through the lens of self-reflection and self-discipline. Projecting my own experiences with discipline and repetition as a disciplinary tool; I started contemplating the ways in which these experiences shaped my subconsciousness. Is self-discipline caused by fear of consequences and punishment, or is it a decision related to personal values and ethical consciousness?

pre detention.

خَفَر ♡ @adrea.ae

⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ ⁨ وشاحٌ عالقٌ في الريح تحيةٌ للأنوثة والقوة والحركة. في منحوتةٍ تنبض بالحركةِ رغم سكونها، تلتقط شمسة العميرة الصمودَ والأناقة التي ميزت الفارسة العربية، وتستلهم من جذورها الثقافية معان جديدة، وتُشاركنا الإلهامَ الكامنَ وراء عملها التركيبي في أبوظبي للفنون الفروسية الأميرية. A flow caught in the wind A tribute to femininity, strength, and movement. In a sculpture that moves even in stillness, Shamsa Al Omaira captures the resilience, elegance, and the timeless harmony of horse and rider. Between what’s personal and collective, the artist shares the inspiration behind her installation at ADREA. #DiscoverADREA #PublicArt #art #abudhabi⁩⁩⁩⁩⁩

⁨ نستلهم من إرث الفروسية الغني بالجمال لنفتح آفاقًا للفنون المعاصرة، تحتفي بإبداع الفنانين الإماراتيين الجدد. ضمن مبادرة أبوظبي للفنون الفروسية الأميرية للفن العام تتجلى رؤية شمسة العميرة في تركيب فني فريد غني بالمعاني، تتردد في كل قطعة منه أصداءُ الحركة والبهاء. Inspired by the artistry of Furusiyya, ADREA is giving a platform to rising Emirati talents. As we launch our public art initiative, ‪@sh_o ‬ Shamsa Al Omaira’s sculptural outdoor installation begins to take form. Each curve is an echo of motion and grace, soon to be discovered by all. #discoveradrea #abudhabiart #horseheritage #equestrianarts #publicartinitiative #JubailIsland⁩

A Seed Trilogy | ثلاثية نواة التمر {يُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَيُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَسَخَّرَ الشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ ۚ وَالَّذِينَ تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِهِ مَا يَمْلِكُونَ مِن قِطْمِيرٍ} A series of interconnected works, exploring the profound symbolism and significance of the date seed. Through both visual and spiritual exploration and interpretation of its three main components – the endocarp, the embryo and the sillon – I aim to provoke contemplation on the importance of often missed or overlooked details. @studiountitled_

A Seed Trilogy | ثلاثية نواة التمر {وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ مِن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ نَقِيرًا} A series of interconnected works, exploring the profound symbolism and significance of the date seed. Through both visual and spiritual exploration and interpretation of its three main components – the endocarp, the embryo and the sillon – I aim to provoke contemplation on the importance of often missed or overlooked details. @studiountitled_

A Seed Trilogy | ثلاثية نواة التمر {قُلْ مَتَاعُ الدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا} A series of interconnected works, exploring the profound symbolism and significance of the date seed. Through both visual and spiritual exploration and interpretation of its three main components – the endocarp, the embryo and the sillon – I aim to provoke contemplation on the importance of often missed or overlooked details. @studiountitled_