Join us for the first Family Saturdays of this year at Jameel Arts Centre, featuring a guided tour of the current exhibition and a series of hands-on art making activities for all ages.

This edition offers a unique chance to gain an in-depth exploration of several works from our current exhibition ‘Tầm Tã – Soaked in the Long Rain’ which is the first international survey exhibition of Vietnamese contemporary artist Trần Lương.

The tour, led by Sana Waqar, an arts education expert, involves an in-depth exploration of the exhibition ‘Tầm Tã – Soaked in the Long Rain’ on the ground floor, delving into Trần’s life and work, spanning painting, installation, performance, community engagement and institution-making. Following the tour, families are invited to participate in four immersive self-led activities inspired by the artist’s early paintings, textile and performance works that delve into the ideas of imaginative storytelling, shared memories, human body as a metaphor for expression and community engagement.

Participants gain a profound understanding of artists’ themes, mediums and processes, and through self-led activities, learn various innovative techniques such as blot painting, marbling, scrap fabric collage and making jute hats along with a collaborative printing station using body as a medium.

The activities are free to attend and run all day to encourage and support creativity and imagination. Jameel Arts Centre strives to provide space for children to share stories, and to foster cultural awareness through artistic exploration that supports healthy child-development and growth.

Family Saturdays at the Jameel are suitable for all ages. All materials, step by step guides and instructional videos will be provided.

The tour begins at 11:00am and participants are welcome to drop by and enjoy the activities until 4:00pm.

Tầm Tã – Soaked in the Long Rain:

The exhibition showcases Trần’s multifaceted practice; one shaped by political and social transitions in Vietnam, and informed by his roles as activist, curator, facilitator, archivist and mentor. His art spans multiple mediums, including performance, sculpture, painting, and installations, with an emphasis on addressing community struggles, resilience, and cultural memory.

Drawing from Vietnam’s transition from a centrally planned to a market economy, Trần uses his art to critique inequality, censorship, and environmental degradation while fostering dialogue and collaboration. His works often reflect myths, collective memory, and ecological awareness, blending traditional craft techniques with contemporary artistic practices.

‘Tầm Tã – Soaked in the Long Rain’ is curated by Biljana Ciric and co-organised by Art Jameel, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery | Len Lye Centre and The Art Gallery of Western Australia, where the exhibition will be touring from 2025 to 2027.

About Trần Lương

Trần Lương (b. Hanoi, 1960) is a pioneering Vietnamese performance and visual artist known for integrating local experiences into experimental practices like performance and video art. A key figure in fostering contemporary art in Vietnam, he co-founded the Gang of Five (1983–1996) and Nhà Sàn Studio (1998), Vietnam’s first artist-led experimental art space. He also served as the founding director of the Hanoi Contemporary Art Centre (2000) before resigning in 2003 to protest government corruption. In 2020, he co-founded the Center for Art Patronage and Development (APD), focusing on the intersection of art and social development. Through projects like the Mạo Khê Coal Mine Art Project and On the Banks of the Red River, he engages communities to inspire dialogue and reflection on societal issues.

About Sana Waqar 

Sana Waqar is a multidisciplinary artist from Pakistan based in Dubai. With over ten years of training and experience in textile, fashion, and visual arts, Sana has participated in numerous freelance projects and exhibitions, both locally and internationally. In 2019, Sana graduated with an MA in Art and Design Studies from Beaconhouse National University and later joined as a teaching associate in the School of Visual Arts and Design.

As a practising artist, Sana is always open to new opportunities and gaining diverse experience in the field of art and design. Sana has been a part of the Campus Art Dubai 10.0 Programme as an Exhibitor Relations Assistant. She currently teaches Patterning Practices as a visiting faculty at BNU and works closely, designing and facilitating interactive family workshops and programmes at the Jameel Arts Centre.