Tashkeel is delighted to host 27 Years of Migration, an exhibition by Gita Meh, one of Dubai's most recently arrived migrant artists. Meh's reactive journey began from her homeland of Iran many years ago, taking her from Italy to Germany, to Los Angeles and now to Dubai. Since arriving in Dubai in late 2007, Meh has shown her work extensively, quickly establishing her as one of the city's most provocative artists. Her next destination may be unknown, but for the moment Dubai is Meh's physical and inspirational home.

Meh's creative journey began from her homeland of Iran many years ago, taking her from Italy to Germany, to Los Angeles and now to Dubai. Since arriving in Dubai in late 2007, Meh has shown her work extensively, quickly establishing her as on of the city's most provocative artists. Her next destination may be unknown, but for the moment Dubai is Meh's physical and inspiration home.

The subject of migration is one that is close to the hearts of the inhabitants of Dubai. The vast majority of the city's residents are migrants themselves, who have found the meaning go home here in Dubai, away from their native soil. For them the issues that Meh explores through her work may strike a familiar chord, sometimes painful, sometimes reassuring. For those for who Dubai is truly home, Meh's work may help to cast some light on the problems facing the many people that they have welcomed into their city, their homes and their lives. Migration is a twenty-first century issue, and one that will inevitable increase in impact as the century unfolds. It is timely that comers regarding the impact of migration are erased, questioned and assessed , that our relationship to our homelands and to our adopted homes are explored and analyzed, that we reflect on where we have come from, where we are going to and where we have paused for this moment in time.

Gita Meh presents the most positive outcomes of migration, the opportunities for personal growth and for learning. She has embraced the life of a migrant, with a sense of purpose and an innate understanding of her roots and her heritage that he carries with her on her journey and which are implicit in her life and in her art. Meh has a story to tell, a story of travel, of exploration and of discovery. 27 Years of Migration gives voice to the migrant and it is the responsibility of each one of us to stop and to list. (Joint statement by Lateefa Bint Maktoum and Jill Hoyle, 2008)