Dubai: Stepping into Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba, visitors are immediately welcomed into a vibrant visual environment where colour, texture, and experimentation take centre stage. The recently opened group exhibition, Khali Balak Men RISO, offers far more than a showcase of printed works, it presents a celebration of process, collaboration, and the limitless creative possibilities of risograph printing.
Curated by Ibrahim Zaki, the exhibition successfully transforms a traditionally commercial printing technique into a contemporary artistic language, inviting audiences to appreciate the beauty found in imperfection. Rather than concealing misaligned colours, visible grain, or layered textures, the participating artists embrace these characteristics, allowing every print to reveal its own unique identity.
The exhibition space itself reflects the experimental spirit of the works on display. Carefully arranged walls guide visitors through a colourful sequence of posters, artist prints, cards, graphic compositions, and mixed-format publications. Every section introduces a different interpretation of risograph printing, creating a visual rhythm that feels energetic, playful, and deeply engaging.
One of the exhibition's strongest qualities is its emphasis on creative exploration over technical perfection. Every artwork celebrates experimentation, reminding viewers that unexpected results often become the most rewarding moments within the artistic process. Slight colour shifts, overlapping layers, and tactile surfaces become intentional visual elements, giving each print a distinct personality impossible to replicate digitally.
The Journey Within, 2026 Dina Saadi
Featuring works by Ahmed Mansour, Aysha Saif Al Hemrani Al Shamsi, Bassem Boules, Dina Saadi, Ibrahim Zaki, Mariam Abbas, Mohannad Orabi, Nasir Nasrallah, Sara Baali, Sarah Khorbtli, and Weam Ali, the exhibition demonstrates the remarkable versatility of risograph printing across contemporary artistic practice. While every artist works within the same medium, each presents an entirely individual visual language shaped by personal narratives, graphic experimentation, illustration, typography, and design.
Fairouz, 2026 by Ibrahim Zaki
The thoughtful curation allows these diverse approaches to coexist naturally. Instead of overwhelming visitors with technical explanations, the exhibition encourages observation, curiosity, and discovery. Each work invites viewers to look closely at the subtle interaction between ink, paper, colour, and machine, revealing details that might otherwise go unnoticed. The opening reception brought together artists, designers, creatives, and members of Dubai's growing art community, reinforcing the collaborative ethos that defines both the exhibition and Tashkeel's wider mission. Conversations around printmaking, publishing, illustration, and independent artistic practice filled the gallery, creating an atmosphere where learning and creative exchange became as important as the artworks themselves.
Fairouz, 2026 by Bassem Boules & Ibrahim Zaki
Complementing the exhibition is an engaging programme of public workshops, including Drop and RISO, Layers of Memory, A Portrait That Reflects You, and Make a RISO Poster, extending the exhibition beyond passive viewing and inviting participants to experience the process firsthand. These educational initiatives further strengthen Tashkeel's commitment to nurturing artistic experimentation and creative development within the UAE.
Untitled Family Portrait Series, 2026 by Mohannad Orabi
Beyond showcasing exceptional prints, Khali Balak Men RISO reminds audiences that printmaking remains a powerful contemporary medium capable of connecting communities, preserving stories, and encouraging collaboration. It demonstrates that limitations, whether in colour palettes, registration, or production methods, can become catalysts for innovation rather than obstacles to creativity.
Bodrum Hideaway, 2026 by Mariam Abbas
As visitors leave the gallery, they carry with them more than colourful printed images. They leave with a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship, experimentation, and the joy of making. In an increasingly digital creative landscape, this exhibition quietly celebrates the tactile, imperfect, and deeply human qualities that continue to make printmaking an essential form of artistic expression.
With Khali Balak Men RISO, Tashkeel once again reinforces its position as one of the UAE's leading platforms for contemporary art, design, and creative dialogue. The exhibition is not simply about risograph printing, it is about community, curiosity, and the endless possibilities that emerge when artists embrace experimentation without fear of imperfection.
* Images Supplied by Gallery