Over 1,000 artists from across the UAE submitted artworks, focussed on the theme “Many Paths, One Destination”

12 February 2025: National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) is pleased to announce the winners of its fourth Art Prize, which attracted submissions from more than a thousand emerging and established artists from across the UAE. The winners were recognised during a ceremony held at the Fujairah Cultural Centre.

The top six winners, who each received a cash prize and mentoring session from the esteemed judges, were:

First place: Reem Al-Suwaidi
Second place: Andrew Thompson
Third place: Dorian Rogers
Fourth place: Parul Parasramka
Fifth Place: Mohamed Elkattan
Fujairah-based winner: Shahid Altaf Awan

This year, as well as the above six winners, the bank and the selection committee selected the top 50 artworks for an exclusive exhibition that will be held from 6th till 25th Feb 2025 at the Fujairah Cultural Centre, and will be open for public viewing. In addition to the physical exhibition, a virtual exhibition has also been launched - to view, please visit NBF Art 2024.

All 50 artists will receive a ‘most creative art piece’ certificate endorsed by the judging panel.

Organised in collaboration with the Fujairah Cultural Centre, the award ceremony was attended by Adnan Anwar, Chief Executive Officer and senior management representatives from NBF, judges from the selection committee as well as distinguished guests from the UAE’s art community.

The judging panel included: Patricia Millns FRSA, Artist and Advisor Creative Industries; Khalil Abdulwahid, Director – Fine Arts, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Nujoom Alghanem, Founder of Nahar Productions and Multi-Award-Winning Film Director, Artist, Poet & Consultant; and Ahmad Alrashid, Programming & Events Operations Manager at Al Shindagha Museum, Dubai.

Adnan Anwar, CEO of NBF, said: “Once again, we have been amazed by the creativity and talent showcased in this year’s NBF Art Prize. With over a thousand submissions from artists across the UAE, the response reflects the strength and diversity of the nation’s creative community. This year’s theme, ‘Many Paths, One Destination,’ highlights the power of collaboration and shared ambition, values that resonate deeply with us as a bank.

At NBF, we are proud to support initiatives that nurture talent, inspire innovation, and bring people together. Congratulations to the winners and all participants for their outstanding contributions. We look forward to seeing this initiative continue to grow and strengthen in the years ahead.”

This year’s competition theme - “Many Paths, One Destination” - was chosen to inspire and raise awareness around the powerful concept of ‘unity in diversity’, to create awareness and instil an important reminder that ‘In unity, we move forward’—not for individual success, but for collective prosperity.

We have been deeply moved by the enthusiastic and passionate response from the artists, who have channelled their creativity into a diverse range of mediums — from drawings and photography to paintings and sculptures.

This event not only celebrates the incredible talent flourishing here in the UAE but also aligns with the nation’s theme for the year, The Year of Community. As a bank committed to supporting our local communities, we’re especially proud to align this theme with our sustainability vision.