Abstract Figures with Calligraphic Elements, 2011

Najat Makki (b. 1956, Dubai, United Arab Emirates) is a pioneering Emirati visual artist recognized for her significant contributions to the development of contemporary art in the UAE. Working across painting, sculpture, and mixed media, Makki is celebrated for her vibrant use of color and abstract forms, often drawing inspiration from the landscapes, heritage, and folklore of the Emirates. Her practice explores themes of memory, identity, and the interplay between tradition and modernity, employing both figurative and non-figurative approaches.

Makki was among the first Emirati women to receive a government scholarship to study art abroad, earning her doctorate in metal relief from the College of Fine Arts in Cairo. Her work has been widely exhibited in major institutional settings, including the Sharjah Art Museum, the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation, and the Barjeel Art Foundation. In 2019, she was featured in the National Pavilion of the UAE at the 58th Venice Biennale, further cementing her status as a leading figure in Gulf art. Makki’s works have also appeared at international auction houses such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s, with her paintings achieving notable results and increasing recognition among collectors of Middle Eastern art. She continues to live and work in Dubai, where she remains an influential mentor and advocate for the arts.