THE COFFEE MARK: Where Art Brewed Beyond the Cup

A Landmark Coffee Painting Art Exhibition Opening & The Launch of the Coffee Art Marathon Edition 2

Dubai’s contemporary art landscape witnessed a distinctive and immersive celebration of creativity with the grand opening of THE COFFEE MARK | Traces, Tones & Transformations – Unique Coffee Painting Art Exhibition by Art4you Gallery at Qube Art Gallery, Al Quoz. The exhibition marked the official launch of the Coffee Art Marathon (CAM2), a pioneering initiative by Jesno Jackson, redefining coffee as a sustainable fine art medium.

The opening evening welcomed distinguished guests, artists, collectors, media representatives, and art enthusiasts who gathered to experience coffee beyond its everyday ritual. The gallery space transformed into a warm spectrum of earthy tones, layered washes, and organic textures, each artwork created entirely using brewed coffee.

Coffee painting, often seen as experimental, was presented here with discipline, refinement, and conceptual depth. The exhibition featured 26 professional artists showcasing over 54 original coffee artworks, demonstrating the extraordinary versatility of coffee as pigment. From delicate sepia gradients to bold monochromatic contrasts, the works revealed the medium’s unique capacity for transparency, staining, and tonal layering. Unlike conventional paint, coffee evolves as it dries, creating organic transitions and unpredictable textures that enhance emotional storytelling. The result is a visual language that feels both intimate and grounded. Themes explored throughout the exhibition included identity, memory, sustainability, transformation, cultural heritage, and inner reflection. The artworks carried warmth, not just in color, but in narrative.

The exhibition proudly featured the works of participating artists – Anastasiia Novokreshchenova, Nataliia Venerova, Vasilisa Eliseeva, Jesno Jackson, Dr. Ana S. Gad, Shaf Beypore, Noreen Nawab, Sophie Bekmurzaeva, Ljiljana Stjelja, Abdul Jabbar Weiss, Barathi Mehansi, Ricknibert Balingan, Aliyeh Mohammad, Nithin Umesh, Shelina Khimji, Aimee George, Cristina Gabriela, Melanie Grace Francis, Perihan Marwan, Thomas Antony, Svetlana Kreventsova, Neethu George, Maryam Samsonova, Jeff Canare, Pradeep Kumar and Maria Komal Abie, whose diverse styles and interpretations brought depth to the Coffee Art movement, creating a collective dialogue around sustainability and innovation.

The opening evening was further elevated by the presence of distinguished Chief guest – H.E Yaqoob Al Ali, Guest of Honors – Hanan Al Nuaimi, Ahmed Mahmood, Special Guests – Bhumika Maniyar, Pamila Quinzi, Tariq Al Salman, Nadine Ellithy, Aarti Basanth , Mylene De Los Ama, from the art and cultural community, whose support reinforced the growing recognition of coffee as a contemporary fine art medium. The event was made possible with the valuable support of partners Green Revolution and Gostoso Coffee, whose commitment to sustainability and quality aligned seamlessly with the vision of the Coffee Art Marathon, strengthening the connection between art, conscious living, and community collaboration.

A highlight of the event was the Postcard Coffee Art Display, where live works were created and curated, with the Top 32 selected pieces displayed as part of the exhibition. The exhibition also marked the official unveiling of the Coffee Art Marathon, envisioned as a global artistic movement encouraging experimentation with coffee as a sustainable medium. CAM aims to foster community engagement, cross-cultural dialogue, and world record initiatives, positioning coffee painting within contemporary art discourse. The launch signified not merely an event, but the beginning of a larger cultural conversation, one that celebrates conscious creativity and alternative materials in art practice.

Visitors engaged deeply with the works, often leaning closer to observe tonal variations and textured surfaces. Conversations flowed naturally, about technique, sustainability, and the discipline required to master a medium that does not allow easy correction. The gallery ambience was calm yet vibrant, creating an environment where reflection and interaction coexisted. The exhibition succeeded in bridging experimentation with professionalism, proving that coffee painting holds a legitimate and evolving place within the contemporary art scene.

As the Coffee Art Marathon moves forward with future initiatives and a planned world record attempt, the opening of THE COFFEE MARK stands as a defining chapter, where art truly brewed beyond boundaries. As Art4you Gallery marks 10 years of supporting art and culture in the UAE, the Coffee Art Marathon reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to innovation, community engagement, and sustainability in the arts. By promoting eco-friendly mediums like coffee painting, Art4you aligns its vision with the UAE’s broader goals of sustainability and creative development. Over the past decade, the gallery has consistently created platforms for emerging and established artists, contributing to the country’s growing cultural landscape while encouraging responsible and forward-thinking artistic practices.

Source / Photo: Art4YouGallery