Young Emirati artist Kholoud Al Sharafi works principally in printmaking, although she enlivens her prints with mixed media to create eye-catching multi-dimensional images.

One of her series of prints portrays 1950s Egyptian diva Umm Kalthoum, a singer, songwriter and actress who represents a cornerstone in classic Egyptian popular culture. Sharafi uses cardboard transfer prints to create a visual montage of symbols surrounding the making of a performer who still evokes a sense of nostalgia across the Arab world.

Born in Dubai, Sharafi began her project as part of a printmaking class while studying at the American University of Sharjah. She graduated in 2008 with a degree in visual communications.