The theme of Expo 2010 is "Better City, Better Life," representing the common wish of the whole humankind for a better living in future urban environments. Wasel Safwan was selected to participate at the UAE Pavilion, among the participants are: Calligrapher Fatema Saeed, Aircraft Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi, & Poet Rashid Sharar. Expo 2010 is expected to attract 70 million visitors over a six-month period, the largest World Expo ever. More info at www.expo2010uae.com

WOMAD and Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage have invited Wasel Safwan to carry out a live painting on site which will be his response to the festival and the festival environment. They believe the light and activities on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi and the extraordinary ambiance and energy that the festival creates will offer him an opportunity to produce a painting which will capture the essence of the event. The size of painting, which will be titled UAEism-WOMAD , will be 800 x 240 cm, and it will be produced in over the three nights of the festival (22 - 24 April).

Wasel Safwan painted on Chevy Impala 1959 from 16th until 20th Oct, organized by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Eleven classic cars painted by local and international artists, such as Abdul Kader Al Rais, Fabien Verwchaer, Noora Al Suwaidi, Li Jikai, and Faiza Mubarak. Twenty four classic cars are to feature in a dynamic motor expo which opens 25th October at the new Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island with 11 of the vehicles being given ‘pop-art’ makeovers. The free-to-attend exhibition - Art Cars - will run until 30th November and is part of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s (ADTA) visitor experience enhancement programme.

Wasel Safwan painted on a life-size Ferrari Formula 1 car made of fiberglass. This was in Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi from Oct. 3rd - 5th, 2009. The sponsor for this is KHP Consulting, an international marketing and events agency specializing in Formula 1, which is working alongside Flash on behalf on the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority (EAA) in creating various community events in the lead up to the 2009 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Under the patronage of Mr. Pospišil, Minister of Justice of the Czech Republic, and in cooperation with the Spouse Janousek Foundation, Jalal Luqman & Wasel Safwan have both been selected to participate in SMALT ART, an international art event in Ostrava, Czech Republic. SMALT ART, an initiative conceptualized by Mr. Jan Svĕtlík, the president of VÍTKOVICE HOLDING Co., a 180 year-old factory in Ostrava, could bring together 12 artists in a 7 day workshop ending in an industrial art exhibit that was open to the public on May 1st, 2009. The 12 artists that have been selected to be part of the event include: Aleš Lamr, Alexandra Horová, Jiři Kačer, & Irena Stanislavová. The factory stopped operating for 7 days to allow artists to paint in steel panels with an Enamel media that could then be sent through the factory’s own furnaces for 10 minutes at 850 C°. Wasel Safwan was working with 270 x 148 cm steel  panels, he could produce 6 artworks during his stay in Ostrava, VÍTKOVICE.

Under the patronage of H.E. Talmiz Ahmad, Ambassador of India in the UAE, an art exhibition titled "Kaleidoscope" was inaugurated by artist Abdul Kader Al Rais. The exhibition was celebrating of the creativity of Emirati and Indian Artists in the UAE. Among the artists participating are: Maqbool Fida Husain , Fatima Al Hashimi, Manisha Gawade, Wasel Safwan , Shamshad Hussain, Mona Al Khaja and many talented artists. The exhibition has been organized by the curator Nazneen Shafi. 20% of the art value donated to the Dubai Autism Centre.
Among those in attendance were Wasel’s father Safwan Abdul-Kareem, Saleh Al Hashimi, Gangaramani JR, Dr. Sabiha Mehdi, Dr. Mohammad Naeemat, Abdulla Naeemat, Jonathan Ewing, and many art lovers.

H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Tourism Development & Investment Company, TDIC, inaugurated the exhibition entitled "Emirati Expressions – Art from the heart of the Emirates". More than 60 UAE artists, such as, Faiza Mubarak, Abdul Kader Al Rais, Khalil Abdulwahed, Jalal Luqman & Wasel Safwan, have participated at the “Emirati Expressions” project in Gallery One. The artists – painters, photographers, film makers, etc – have been selected by the curator Anne Baldassari, director of Musée National Picasso in Paris. TDIC worked hard in gathering artists, curators, and art lovers such as:  Jeff Koons, Anish Kapoor, Sir Norman Rosenthal, Cai Guo-Qian, Mohammed Kanoo, & Martin Pafieffer.

Last night, at Artscape Emirati Expressions, visitors were invited at the party TDIC held for the close of the exhibit. Wasel Safwan was painting from 5pm to 10pm, in artwork entitled "UAEism Emirati Expressions", size: 210x200cm. We appreciate the teamwork of TDIC, who worked hard to organize this event successfully. 

In conjunction with Cultural Director Mr. Pascal Gueyle of the Alliance Française of Abu Dhabi, a solo exhibition was held at the Alliance Française in the presence of Mr. Dominique Baudis President of the Arab World Institute of Paris at 6:30pm. A private viewing of the exhibition was held at 7:30pm for the VIP's under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Alain Azouaou French Ambassador in the UAE, at his villa in Abu Dhabi. Wasel presented his brush to the Ambassador. Among those in attendance were Wasel’s father Safwan Abdul-Kareem, Former Minister Muhammed Al Dhahri, Karen Hart, Peter Jordansson, Muhammed Kanoo, Marc Laurenti, Abdulla Naeemat, Odile Duron and many art lovers. Earlier the same day a private viewing for the ladies of the royal families and other VIP ladies was held at his villa.

Under the patronage of H.H. Sh. Fatima Bint Mubrak, Chairperson of the UAE General Women’s Union, a private exhibition was held at Emirates Palace from Nov. 9th – 10th 2008 in honour of the Arab World States First Ladies. H.H. Sh. Fatima selected Wasel’s artwork titled “UAEism III”, oil on canvas 255.8 x 200.6 cm, to be displayed at the event among other local artists and that was her aim to send a message from Emirati Artists to the Arab World and to share the Beauty of Emirati talents through art. Wasel Safwan has received a thank you letter from the office of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Nakheel Palace, Abu Dhabi. (To read the letter check News, Thank you letter from the Office of H.H. Sh. Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan)

The Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUTAC) invited Wasel Safwan to give a painting workshop. Many people painted with him from ten in the morning until seven at night.  Everyone had a chance to paint on the 200 x 150 cm canvas with Wasel.
Wasel Safwan received a Thank You letter from the Chief Executive of DUCTAC, Alison Fordham, to read the letter check News.
The group’s finished work, now on display at the centre, is called "DUCTAC II" in honor of DUCTAC’s second anniversary.

The Exhibition was sponsored by DAMAN Investments for UAE artists. Twelve artists were selected to present their artwork for a 2008 calendar. Wasel’s painting “9” was selected for the month of May. Some of the participating artists were Lateefa Al Amaktoum, Lateefa Sa’ed, Sa’ed Harib and Nuha Asad.  HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussain was sent one of the calendars.

The French Art Festival was made possible under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnon Al Nihayan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage, (ADACH)who opened it at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). Among those in attendance were the French ambassador, Wasel’s family, Zaki Nusseibah, Abdulla Al Amri, Michel Malafosse, Odile Duron and many art lovers. The three participating UAE artists, Muhammed Mandi, Muhammed Kanno and Wasel Safwan, were guest artists of the French Art Festival. They accompanied a number of French artists, such as, Christine Barres, Di Credico, & Benoit Chomard.

Art Paris Abu Dhabi was opened by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, who later spent some time talking to Wasel Safwan.   Wasel represented the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH) along with Abdul Kader Al Rais and Muhammed Mandi. He exhibited his painting “Whisper of Al Muajei” which is now owned by Tourism Development & Investment Co. (TDIC) at Saadiyat Island. The ADACH team professionally represented all their artists and produced the second edition of Wasel’s contemporary artworks book.

The Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUTAC) invited Wasel Safwan to give a painting workshop. More than 40 people painted with him from eleven in the morning until seven at night.  Everyone had a chance to paint on the 200 x 150 cm canvas with Wasel in the style of UAEism.
The morning of the 3rd November 2007 began with a light rain at the DUCTAC in the Mall of the Emirates, but the spirits of all the painters could not be dampened. The group’s finished work, now on display at the centre, is called " DUCTAC I" in honor of DUCTAC’s first anniversary.

The art “surprises” were part of the 10th anniversary of the Dubai Summer Surprises that takes place annually in Dubai. The event was interesting because there were a diverse mix people from different cultural backgrounds from all over the globe; some who were in the UAE for the first time. It was a wonderful experience to sit and discuss life and art issues with the participating artists who stayed in same hotel for 12 nights. Sculptures, theatre, photography and paintings from Germany, Morocco, Lebanon, Kuwait and UAE were all exhibited.

Sponsored by the Dubai Cultural Council (DCC), Wasel Safwan held his first solo exhibition in Dubai . The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Salah Al-Qasiem, General Secretary DCC, Wasel’s family and art enthusiasts. The TV show, Sama Dubai, the Al Ain Times and many different media covered the event. DCC produced Wasel’s first book entitled Wasel ART which shows his modern paintings and his studio in Al Ain, el hamdulilah. An exciting, interactive workshop on the method and ideology behind his new abstract style of painting ‘UAEism’ was also held at DUCTAC by Wasel on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th May. Over the two days the workshop was well attended by between 40 to 50 art appreciators. Artist, Magdalena, called the finished, communal artwork “Narrative Expressions”, “… because everyone had a short story to tell and painted it.” She said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5S2sj5cvYE

Wasel invited his friend Jim Leroy (a crazy aerobatic pilot) to his father’s villa in Al Ain. The exhibition was to show Jim and Wasel’s family his modern art in the open garden and was followed by a family lunch. Less than a year later Jim passed away in airplane crash in a show in Ohio, May Allah blesses his soul in peace.

Five of Wasel’s artworks were exhibited at this event including UAEism II, Korkum and X-GEO. The Dubai Islamic Bank owned one of Wasel’s artworks.

The NISSAN Company together with The Third Line gallery asked five artists to each produce an artwork inspired by the Murano SUV sedan car. Wasel was personally motivated by the front lights and produced a three-dimensional wooden sculpture. He painted it for four days in the public domain at Madinat Jumeirah. It consisted of acrylic paint on 3D wood and measured 240 x 200 x 200cm.

Wasel Safwan exhibited some of his art during Ramadan 2003 at the Al Ain Mall.  It was his first solo exhibition, while he was still an architecture student.

The event was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarek Al Nahyan, President of the UAE University. It was lovely gathering of art students from different Arabic Universities in the Middle East such as Libya, Syria, Egypt, and Bahrain.

Wasel produced his first exhibition piece for this inaugural Biennale Exhibition of Fine Arts at the UAE University. With it he earned first prize which was presented to him by Sheikh Nihayan at his palace in Abu Dhabi.