“Artists … reveal more about themselves than most politicians and often know more about themselves. This is why their testimony is historically so valuable”
[J. Berger, About Looking]
Education
2020 – PhD Candidate at Deakin University
2008 to 2010 – Master of Visual Arts, Monash University, Melbourne
1994 to 1998 – Bachelor of Fine Art, Lebanese University, Beirut
1992 to 1994 – Certificate Course in Painting and Sculpture, Fine Arts Centre of Lattakia
1988 to 1992 – Bachelor of Trade and Economics, Tishreen University, Lattakia
Professional Memberships
2018 – 2019 Barwon Estuary Project
2015 – present Mangroves from the Water Group
2019 – present The National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA)
2020 – present Ausglass artist group
2017 – present Humans in Geelong
2000 – present Emirates Fine Arts Society (UAE)
2020 – present Corangamite CMA Community Engagement Network
2020 – present Climate Change Communication Narratives and Network (CCCNN)
2018 – present Community Radio 94.7 FM the Pulse
Environment Festival Organiser
Mangroves from the Water Festival Organizer 2017, Khor Umm Al Quwain, UAE, 8-11 March 2017
In partnership with the Umm Al Quwain Government in association with the Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology, Wasit Wetland Reserves and UAE ministries and schools. Achieved a partnership with the UAQ Government to host fine art, music, heritage and scientific exhibitions, workshops, tours and art competitions along with sporting events (walking and traditional rowing) in location in the mangroves over four days to raise awareness of the beauty and ecological importance of the mangroves regions of the UAE in order to protect them. Lead the Mangroves from the Water Festival 2017 team.
Mangroves from the Water Exhibition, the Gordon Gallery, Geelong, Australia, 11 – 18 August, 2021
Mangroves from the Water Exhibition during the Mangroves Festival 2017, Umm Al Quwain, 18-21 March 2017
Mangroves from the Water UAE series
New York University of Abu Dhabi, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Arts Society, Umm Al Quwain National Museum, thejamjar Dubai, October 2015 to March 2016.
- Multi-media: painting, film, installations, sculpture, short stories.
- Sought & negotiated sponsorship for the entire series from the Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi.
- Prepared & coordinated all arrangements for 10 artists.
- Liaised & negotiated with artists, galleries & sponsors regarding budgeting, installation, accommodation, tours, timings & placement.
- Coordinated marketing including interviews with artists for MBC Arabia TV & national newspapers.
- Produced the exhibition booklet.
- Managed all sales at front of house.
- Organised inhouse sketching.
Organised & lead sketching from kayak workshops and boat tours in the Umm Al Quwain mangroves. - Participated as an artist.
Upcoming Exhibition
Past Exhibitions
- 2022
The National Mall, Washington, DC. Smithsonian Folklife Festival – the UAE Pavilion, 22 June – 4 July 2022
Herring Island, Melbourne, A4 Art Australia National Exhibition, 5 March –18 April
The Hive Ocean Grove, Summer Group Exhibition-Introducing Zahidah Zeytoun Millie, 7 – 30 January
- 2021
Mangroves from the Water Exhibition, the Gordon Gallery, Geelong, Australia, 11 – 18 August
Islamic Museum of Australia, Missing Voices: Untold Stories of Australian Muslims,15 April -16 July
- 2020
Islamic Museum of Australia/ Islamic Museum Art Prize Exhibition, 18 August 2020 – 20 February, 2021
- 2018
Humans in Geelong Expo, Deakin Waterfront, Mangroves from the Water exhibition including a speech about the mangroves, 7 October
- 2017
Bellarine Art Trail, the Uniting Church, Queenscliff, Victoria 4-5th November
Mangroves from the Water Exhibition, Mangroves Festival 2017, Umm Al Quwain, March
- 2016
Connection, Steps Gallery, Lygon St. Melbourne, August/September
Mangroves from the Water, The Jam Jar Gallery, Dubai, 14-23 March
As an environmentalist I curated the ‘Mangroves from the Water’ exhibition project, October 2015 to March 2016. A touring multimedia exhibition project – watercolour sketches, film, photography, sculpture, installation art, folklore stories. The exhibition moved from Abu Dhabi, to Sharjah, to Umm Al Quwain, and finally Dubai. As part of the project Zahidah hosted sketching workshops on a kayak and boat tours in the mangroves of Umm Al Quwain.
- 2015
Mangroves from the Water, Umm Al Quwain Museum, Umm Al Quwain, 11-19 December
Mangroves from the Water, Emirates Fine Arts Society, Sharjah, 12-30 November
Mangroves from the Water, Environment Agency Headquarters, Al Mamoura Building, Abu Dhabi, 1-6 November
Mangroves from the Water, New York University – Project Space Gallery, Abu Dhabi, 22-28 October
- 2014
Expanding Horizons, Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE, June-September
Alliance Francaise, ’Connection’, Dubai, UAE, November
Tashkeel in ‘Sikka Art Fair 2014’, Tashkeel House, Dubai, UAE, March
RAK Art Festival, National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, February
- 2013
Tashkeel in ‘Sikka Art Fair 2013’, Tashkeel House, Dubai, UAE, March
‘Women in Art IX’, Courtyard Gallery, Dubai, UAE, November
‘Salon des Refuses’. Happenstance Gallery, London, England, June
‘Ras Al Khaimah from the Mangroves’, National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, March
‘Women in Art VIII’, Courtyard Gallery, Dubai, UAE, February
- 2012
‘Zahidah‘ curated by Rodney Forbes, Switchback Gallery, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Melbourne, Australia, 11 July – 4 August
- 2010
‘Between Bodies’ opened by the international artist Stelarc, Monash Prato, Italy, July
‘Tracking the Emirates, Contemporary Art Exhibition’Swiss Art Gate UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, April
- 2008
‘From Al Safa to Starchitecture’(Solo), Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
- 2006
Majlis Gallery, Dubai, UAE, December
‘Impressions’(Solo), Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, November
- 2004
‘Impressions’(Solo), Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, February
- 2002
Majlis Gallery, Dubai, UAE, December
‘Creativity’, Sharjah Art Precinct, Handicapped Guardians Association, Sharjah, UAE, April
Majlis Gallery, Dubai, UAE, March
‘The 21st Exhibition for Artists’, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah, UAE, January
- 2001
Hilton Fujairah, April
‘Expressions of Faces’, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah, UAE, April
‘The 20th Exhibition for Artists’, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah, UAE, March
- 2000
‘Fujairah in Art’ (Solo), Hilton Fujairah, Fujairah, UAE, December
- 1999
Forum de Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon, May
Beit Al-Fen, Tripoli, Lebanon, February
- 1998
UNESCO Centre, Beirut, Lebanon, April
- 1994
Syrian Cultural Centre, Damascus, Syria, AugustFe
Bibliography
Henry S (3July 2022), An Artist’s Roots: Painting and Saving Mangroves with Zahidah Zeytoun Millie, Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
UAE USA United (2022), Zahidah Zeytoun Millie, UAE USA United, accessed 8 March 2023.
Presented in a touring exhibition, Missing Voices: untold Stories of Australian Muslims – Islamic Museum of Australia 15 Apr- 16 July 2021- 2022/ Migration Museum in Adelaide, 5 Feb- 29 May 2022
Climate Change Communicative Narrative Network (CCCNN), Mangroves from the Water, Deakin University, 3 Sep 2021
Zeytoun Millie, Zahidah, Mangroves from the Water, Marawed Magazine, Sharjah Institute for Heritage (10-13), 26 July 2021
Zeytoun Millie, Zahidah Mangroves from the Water, Humans in Geelong, 31 July 2021
Zeytoun Millie, Zahidah, Mangroves from the Water, Humans in Geelong, 26 July 2020
Zeytoun Millie, Zahidah, Mangroves from the Water Project, Art 4you Magazine (114-119), 20 Oct, 2020
Mik Aidt & Anthony Gleeson, Art and Songs Push Our Ideas Sustainable Hour, 94.7 the Pulse, Geelong, 22 July 2020
Mik Aidt & Anthony Gleeson, Female Artists Taking Us Forward, Sustainable Hour, (32.25), 94.7 the Pulse, Geelong, 18 March, 2020
Mik Aidt & Anthony Gleeson, Connecting with Mangroves through the Arts, Sustainable Hour, 94.7 the Pulse, Geelong, 23 October, 2019
Humans in Geelong, Humans in Geelong (appearing in), Snap Printing Geelong, 2019
Zeytoun Millie, Zahidah, Mangroves from the Water, Nature Volve Magazine (56 -57), 11 July 2018
Vancouver Aquarium Guardian of the Mangroves, Ocean Wise, 26 July 2018
Pakinam Amer Mangrove warriors, Nature Middle East (radio interview), December 2017
Queenscliffe Herald, ‘Mangroves from the Water, Zahidah’, 18 April 2017.
Humans in Geelong Website and Social Media, ‘Mangroves from the Water, Zahidah’.
The Mangroves Festival 2017 selected press
Zeytoun Millie, Zahidah, Coffee Morning, Dahabiya Magazine (p18), 2016
Hoffert, B. Essay on Connection an exhibition with Cheryl Osborne, July, 2016.
Todorova, V. Umm Al Quwain mangroves illegally cut down by ‘camel farm labourers‘. The National. 4 February, 2016.
Stafford, A. Guardians of the Mangroves. Selections Magazine. 29 February, 2016.
Todorova, V. Artwork inspired by the beauty of Umm Al Quwain’s mangroves. The National. 2 August, 2015.
Seaman, A. Syrian artist in Umm Al Quwain paints with the use of brushes, canvas – and a kayak. The National. 18 August, 2015.
Anna Seaman Blog. Exploring the UAE’s Coastline with Art. 1 October, 2015.
Al Ittihad Newspaper. عين. October 5, 2015.
New York University Abu Dhabi Art Gallery presents: Mangroves from the Water. 22-28 October, 2015.
Imagine Science Films. “Mangroves from the Water” Exhibit Swirls into the NYUAD Project Space for 1 Week. October, 2015.
Mangrove Action Project: Exploring the UAE’s coastline with art. 8 October, 2015.
Al Ittihad Newspaper: مهمة عاجلة من أجل شجر القرم October 25, 2015.
Madame Magazine. L’Art au secours des mangroves des EAU. Novembre, 2015: p.66-69.
Global Art Daily. November, 2015.
Gulf News 24/7.Mangroves from the Water, Art Exhibition Opening. 12 November, 2015.
WAM Emirates News Agency. الإمارات للفنون التشكيلية تنظم معرض “شجر القرم من الماء” في الشارقة November 15, 2015.
Al Ittihad Newspaper. شجر القرم من الماء» معرض متعدد الوسائط في الشارقة. November 17, 2015.
Emarat Alyoum. فنانين يعرضون لوحاتهم في مقر التشكيليين الإماراتية “شجر القرم من الماء” …. اتصل بالتراث الشعبي الإماراتي . November 21, 2015.
Hoffert, B. Introduction: Bernard Hoffert introduces Zahidah in the context of Middle Eastern Art. November, 2014.
Seaman, A. Keeping Art afloat. The National. 19 August, 2014.
Nazy Beglary. In Conversation with H.E Zaki Nusseibeh. Harper’s Bazar Art, Issue 12, March/April, 2014.
Latrobe Valley Express.Playing Host to Arabian Gulf Artist. 26 July, 2012: p.34.
Hoffert, B. Zahidah in Perspective: Bernard Hoffert introduces ‘Zahidah’ in the context of Middle Eastern Art. June, 2012.
Swiss Art Gate UAE. Tracking the Emirates, Art Exhibition. Ras Al Khaimah,2010, www.swissartgateuae.com/projects.asp
Free Spirit. The Art Scene in RAK. RAK Free Trade Zone Magazine. Ras Al Khaimah, Issue 5, May/June, 2010: p.34.
Off Campus Connection. Zahidah Zeytoun Millie. Caulfield: Monash University, Issue 5, Jun/Jul, 2009: p.6.
Mavely, M. Art Exhibition Highlights RAK Heritage, Culture. The Gulf Times. Dubai, 13 Feb, 2004.
Khaldie, S. Openingof Exhibition for Syrian Artist in Ras Al Khaimah. Al Khaleej Al Araby. Dubai, 12 Feb, 2004.
Ahmed, A. 33 Local Artists Display Works at Exhibition. Gulf News. Dubai, 22 Mar, 2002.
Tabloid. Celebrating Arabia. Gulf News. Dubai, 15 Dec, 2002.
Raha, S. Arabian Treasures. Gulf News. Dubai, 3 Mar, 2002.
Al Dahahn, N. Zahidah Zeytoun: Art, an expression of all that happens around us. Arab News. Dubai, 5 Jan, 2001.
Shaghouri, T. Fujairah in Focus at Art Show. Gulf News. Dubai, 11 Dec, 2000.
Al Khaleej Al Araby. Hamad Bin Saif Opens Art Exhibition. Dubai, 3 Dec, 2000.
Kalish, G. The Second Exhibition Youth Painters at UNESCO Club. Different styles united by “Creativity and Variety”. Al Safeer Al Araby. Beirut, 26 Jul, 1996.
Residencies
Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, June-August 2008
Representation
RAK Hospital, Swiss Art Gate UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, since April 2010, They All Want the Tallest Skyscraper, permanent display.
RAK Free Trade Zone, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, since 2004, Impression 3.
Fujairah Municipality, UAE, since 2000, Bull Fighting 2.
Art Awards
Certificate of Appreciation – Linking heritage, culture & environment through Mangroves from the Water exhibitions, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, 2 September 2021
Community Events Grant from the City of Greater Geelong, to Mangroves from the Water, 24 February 2021
‘Conversation with the Moonah Tree’ painting has been selected as one of the final selection for the Islamic Museum Art Prize 2020 (AMA), www.islamicmuseum.org.au/ama-2020-exhibition
Certificate of Appreciation, Combined Probus Club of Lara, Vic, 17 October 2017
Certificate of Appreciation, Sharjah American International School, UAE, 8 June 2017
Certificate of Recognition, Municipality & Planting Department, Government of Ajman, UAE, 15 to 16 April 2017
Certificate of Appreciation, Umm Al Quwain Business Women’s Council, UAQ Government, UAE, 2017
Certificate of Appreciation, Government of Um Al Quwain, Municipality Department, UAE, 2 June 2016
Certificate of Appreciation of Contribution and Successful Participation at the Sharjah Art Museum, UAE, 22 January to 8 February 2002
Certificate of Recognition, Emirates Fine Art Society, UAE, 18 to 26 March 2001
Certificate of Appreciation, Fujairah Government, UAE, 24 to 26 October 2001
Certificate of Appreciation, El Mina Municipality, Lebanon, 26 February 1999
Certificate of Gratitude and Appreciation, Minister of Culture & Higher Education, 26 February 1999
Certificate of Appreciation, UNESCO Cultural Council of Southern Lebanon, 1 to 3 April 1998
Sport Awards
Certificate & medal of completion, Dubai Marathon, 2005
Medal of completion, the RAK 10km run, 2006
Medal of completion, the RAK 10km run, 2007
Medal of completion, the RAK 10km run, 2008
Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2009
Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2010
Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2011
Medal of completion, the RAK 10km run, 2012
Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2013
Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2014
Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2015
Certificate & medal of completion, the RAK Half Marathon, 2016