Fatma Lootah is an exceptional figure in the contemporary art world and is widely regarded as one of the most important cultural and artistic ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates on the global stage.
Born and raised in Dubai, Fatma began her artistic journey at the Art Academy of Baghdad before continuing her education in Washington D.C., where she further developed her unique voice and visual language.

Since the 1980s, Fatma has been based in Verona, Italy, yet she remains deeply connected to her roots. She frequently returns to Dubai, where she maintains her own studio — House 35 in the historic Al Fahidi district. This space was gifted to her in 2010 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, following his visit to one of her solo exhibitions. Moved by her work, he ensured she would always have a place in Dubai to create freely and express her vision.

Fatma’s artistic practice spans from performance art to large-scale abstract painting and installations. Her work is emotionally charged, poetic, and socially engaged — often reflecting themes of identity, womanhood, and cultural memory. Over the decades, she has exhibited extensively in Italy, France, the UAE, Austria, Morocco, the United States, and many other countries. One of her most notable international highlights was her participation in the Nasdaq Artist in Residence program, where her work was featured in Times Square, New York.