Winning entries of “My UAE” art competition on display at Emirates NBD Head Office

Press release

Published December 19th, 2011 - 01:43 GMT

First Prize winning entry

Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, and Tashkeel, an independent resource for artists and designers living and working in the UAE, announced today, the winners of the unique art competition, “My UAE,” which was launched earlier this year in celebration of the 40^th anniversary of UAE National Day.

Ms Alia Hussain Lootah won the first prize of AED20,000 for her mixed media series “7,” while Ms Zeinab Al Hashemi was awarded the second prize of AED10,000 for her art piece entitled “ Marked Down.” Mr. Charlie Villagarcia won the third prize of AED5,000 for his acrylic painting “As One.”

The winners were selected from among 300 entries received in the 24-day run up to the UAE National Day. The panel of judges included Her Highness Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director - Tashkeel, Ms. Jill Hoyle, Manager - Tashkeel and two artists Mr. Nasir Nasrallah and Mr. Paolomaria.

The competition was jointly organised by Emirates NBD and Tashkeel, and all UAE residents aged 18 years and older, were invited to participate by submitting an art piece in any genre, including painting, photography, mixed media, installations and sculptures. The original winning pieces and the top 20 entries will be on display at the Emirates NBD Head Office in Deira from December 19, 2011 - January 19, 2012, Saturday to Thursday during branch operation hours, 8:00 AM - 2:00PM.

Background Information

Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the region, was formed on 19 June 1963, when H.H. Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum signed the Charter of Incorporation of the National Bank of Dubai (NBD) which became the first National Bank established in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the blessings of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, NBD merged with Emirates Bank International (EBI) on 06 March 2007, to form Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the region by assets. On 16 October 2007, the shares of Emirates NBD were officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The merger between EBI and NBD to create Emirates NBD, became a regional consolidation blueprint for the banking and finance sector as it combined the second and fourth largest banks in the UAE to form a banking champion capable of delivering enhanced value across corporate, retail, private, Islamic and investment banking throughout the region.