Meet the Jury for "Beyond HER" – Art Competition
We are excited to introduce our esteemed jury panel for the BEYOND HER Art Competition & Virtual Exhibition. Our panel consists of leading professionals in the art world, each bringing a unique perspective to evaluating your powerful submissions.
Stay tuned for the results and join us in celebrating creativity, empowerment, and the many faces of womanhood!
Winner Announcement: March 28, 2025
Introduce your Jury
We are honored to have a distinguished panel of experts for the BEYOND HER.
These renowned professionals bring their deep knowledge & artistic insight to evaluate and celebrate the incredible submissions we have received. Their expertise ensures a fair and high-standard selection process, recognizing the finest talents in the field.
Dr. Mohamed Yousif
Chairman of Emirates Fine Arts Society
Pioneer Emirati Artist & Sculptor, UAE
Born in Sharjah, UAE, 1953. A pioneering artist who has made invaluable contributions to the fine arts movement in the UAE, Dr. Mohamed Yousif was a founding member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and was Chairman of its Board of Directors for several terms. Motion and stillness feature prominently in Yousif’s works, which have been exhibited in art events around the world. He has participated in all exhibitions organized by the Emirates Fine Arts Society since its inception in 1979. He is the former chair of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah National Theater. His awards include the UAE Honor Award (2009) and the first golden prize at the Bangladesh Biennial (2004). He received a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Manav Rachna International University, India, a master’s degree in fine art from Webster University, Missouri in 2000, and a bachelor’s degree in fine art from the Cairo College of Fine Arts, Egypt, in 1978. Currently Mohamed is a Fine Arts professor at the University of Sharjah’s Fine Arts College.
Sara Serpilli
Art historian | Art Advisor I Auction Cataloger
Art & Events Manager | Rome - Dubai
A passionate art historian with an eclectic educational background, Sara blends her artistic academic foundation with hands-on experience across multiple disciplines. Born and raised in Rome Tor Vergata. Post-graduation, she went on to pursue two master's courses - one in Roman Art History from the late antiquity to the present, and the other in Judicial Archeology and Crimes Against Cultural Heritage with Viterbo Criminological Studies Center. Recently, she also completed her master's in art Advisory. Specialized in ancient and modern art, now focused on discovering new and intriguing talents across Europe and the Middle East who experiment with techniques and materials to create a language that speaks to everyone. Her journey has now led her to Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, marking a pivotal point in her career. As an Art Manager, Sara's multifaceted role spans all endeavors at the boutique art hotel, from curating and managing art collections to orchestrating art exhibitions and events.
Chitra Sudhakaran
Museum Educator | Dept of Culture & Tourism
Art Curator | Art Consultant | Art Advisor
Chitra Sudhakaran is a seasoned museum educator with the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, with a rich and diverse career in the UAE’s art and culture sector since 2015. She has worked extensively as an art curator, collaborating with public and private collections, offering art consulting and advisory services, and playing a pivotal role in launching cultural platforms with international projects. Beyond her curatorial expertise, Chitra has been instrumental in fostering cultural engagement through her work with art galleries, public art spaces, museums, and nonprofit organizations. Her dedication to the arts was recognized early in her career when, in 2003, she was honored by former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, for her contributions to the field. With a passion for art education, collection management, and cultural development, Chitra continues to shape the regional art landscape, bridging artistic heritage with contemporary discourse.
Ajay Kumar Samir
Eminent Artist | Conceptual Artist - India
Well known artist Ajay Samir’s works in a black and white pallet, have glimpses of shadow and light, highlighted with poignant textures and colours on expressive facets of human experiences in iconic figuration. Blending tradition with modern realities allowing hues to naturally adapt patterns, it oscillates around detailing textures, decorativeness of idioms, and linear motifs, symbolizing sensitivity of women, along with conjuring dream like memories of nature. Man’s ability to conceptualize and express thoughts is seen in art, with elements of lines, colours, suggestive harmony, rhythmic movements, cultivating instinct and institution. These elements come to the fore in Ajay Kumar Samir’s exceptional art. One finds stylistic conceptual themes in lyrical narratives of human drama in his works. BFA in fine arts from Delhi college of Art, Ajay Samir has many achievements to his credit and one which stand tall is that he is an early achiever of all India national award of AIFACS, NATIONAL AWARD kvs (), CRITICS CHOICE AWARD. His works are in the collection of NGMA DELHI, LALIT KALA, PM HOUSE, RASTRAPATI NIWAS, BURJ KHALIFA AND many Indian and foreign collectors
Jesno Jackson
Art Curator | Visionary Creative Strategist | Art Writer & Researcher | Art Educator | Art Consultant
Jesno Jackson is a distinguished art and culture promoter with nearly 30 years of experience as a Curator, Writer, Fine Artist, Speaker, Researcher, and Consultant. She is the Founder & Chief Curator of Art4you Gallery, where she has curated over 288 exhibitions across London, Paris, the UAE, India, the USA, and Singapore, earning international awards and recognition. A Double Gold Medalist, Jesno holds a BFA and MVA, with additional studies in Art Appreciation and Curatorial Practices. She is also a certified International Educator and a world record holder for the longest live painting in coffee. Her artistic and literary accomplishments have won prestigious competitions, leading to widespread publication. Beyond curation and art creation, Jesno is a sought-after speaker, juror, and expert in art consultations. Her curator’s walkthroughs and seminars are highly regarded, inspiring both emerging and established artists. With an innovative approach and a deep commitment to the arts, Jesno continues to shape the cultural landscape, bridging creativity & knowledge to nurture artistic excellence globally.
📅 Finalists Announced: March 25, 2025 📅 Winner Announcement: March 28, 2025
A Fair & Insightful Judging Process
With over 108+ entries received, Art4you carefully reviewed each submission based on creativity, originality, technique, and interpretation of the theme. Their collective expertise ensures that the selected finalists truly represent the spirit of "BEYOND HER" – Unveiling the Many Faces of Womanhood.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our jury for their dedication in the judging process with selection of winners and to all the artists for their incredible submissions!
The judging process for the BEYOND HER Art Competition was conducted with the utmost integrity and expertise by our distinguished panel of four renowned art professionals.
Each judge, with their unique artistic background and critical eye, meticulously evaluated the submissions based on five key criteria: Creativity & Originality, Technical Excellence, Relevance to the Theme, Visual Impact, and Overall Composition. Every artwork was carefully analyzed, ensuring a diverse and fair assessment from different perspectives. The combined evaluations provided a well-rounded selection process, leading to a unanimous and refined shortlist. After thorough deliberation, we are now proud to announce the final results, showcasing artworks that truly embody the spirit of the competition.
Stay tuned for the results and join us in celebrating creativity, empowerment, and the many faces of womanhood!
Warm regards,
Art4you Gallery
#BeyondHER
#WomenInArt
#Art4youGallery
#ArtCompetition
#IWD2025
#AccelerateAction