Eyes Wide Shut brought together ten women artists from across the UAE, Iran, Armenia, Ukraine, Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Kuwait in an exhibition that explored themes of trauma, memory, displacement, healing, and identity through deeply personal and political perspectives. Co-curated by Celine Azem, Mara Firetti, and Oceane Sailly, the exhibition challenged viewers to confront societal blind spots surrounding women’s experiences and emotional realities.
Presented at Firetti Contemporary in Alserkal Avenue, the exhibition marked the gallery’s first all-female group show and featured artists including Annie Kurkdjian, Sawsan Al Bahar, and Negin Fallah. Through painting, collage, mixed media, film, and installation, the works examined themes ranging from war and migration to psychological memory, bodily autonomy, and resilience.
The exhibition positioned Firetti Contemporary as a platform for critical cultural dialogue, foregrounding women artists whose practices navigate personal histories and collective experiences while expanding the discourse around female representation in contemporary art.
