Dr. Najat Makki, is one of the leading artists of the modern art movement in the UAE.  She obtained a PhD in metal coins from the Faculty of Arts in Cairo in 2001 and is a member of the UAE Plastic Arts Society, the Arts Friends Group of Arab Gulf Countries, Al Jidar (The Wall) group in Sharjah and other cultural organizations in the UAE. Makki’s journey in art started at a very young age. Inspired by the traditional aspects of the environment and her family’s interest in embroidery and fabrics, she experimented with different media, but with special interest in painting and sculpture. Recognized in the UAE as one of the first women artists, Makki soon began exhibiting her works and gaining local and regional appreciation. Makki credits the Egyptian civilization as the inspiration behind some of her works.  During her course of study, she examined the composition of ancient Egyptian art and was fascinated by the details and the techniques.

Makki’s work is also inspired by her childhood fascination with the moon and the lunar cycles.  She remains fascinated by this celestial circle that become for her a symbol of an infinite circular regeneration.  The circle that the moon represents, soon became Makki’s own understanding of the human soul, and the collective consciousness. Her work often embodies the traditional inheritance of the UAE, as she sheds lights on the complex combination of traditions and modern composition.  Using calligraphy and lines, Makki depicts elements of the environment and renders them with color and fabric. With more than 28 group exhibitions locally and internationally, Makki has several solo shows to her credit and is often invited as a guest judge in many art competitions in the UAE and the region.  She also won numerous awards, the most prominent of which are: The Award of Culture and Arts from the UAE 2008, Al Owais Award of Culture and Science in Dubai 2001 and the Silver Award from Mahaba Biennial in Syria 1999.