Jim Wheat is an international artist based in Dubai who uses dollars in his artwork to represent how money influences decisions and life. After studying in the UK and US, he moved to Dubai in 2002 and began expressing himself through art featuring dollars after becoming disillusioned with the focus on wealth. He has had several successful exhibitions in Dubai and abroad of his dollar-themed paintings and enjoys sharing his artistic journey.

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Jim Wheat - Artists statement & Bio
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I’m an international artist based in Dubai and my aim is simple:
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‘To encourage people to celebrate life through art by delivering
Dollarsandart exhibitions, commissions and projects with the best of
luxury brands, people, partners, media and charities I resonate with’
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Originally from the North West of England I studied Civil Engineering in the U.K and
a Masters degree in San Luis Obispo, California in 1994 where I signed my first $1
bill, before returning to the UK for a career in Sales and Marketing. I made the
move to Dubai in 2002 and became disillusioned with the superficiality of a
material existence. There seemed to be an unwritten life rule that money is
integral to happiness and happiness is a natural by product of money. Experiencing
both 'have' and 'have nots' through commercial roles in sectors across Construction
and then the Golf industry.
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As I grew increasingly tired of this supposition he began to express myself, my
experiences, struggles and successes through the marrying of acrylic, oil and
canvas. The universal symbol of the $ seemed to impact and influence so many
decisions, providing the motivation for and the limitation of many of our decisions
in life. I decided that the dollar for all its pro’s and con’s would be a central
feature of all my work as Dollarsandart was born during time of deep personal
loss.
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Despite this unconventional and unplanned route into the art world I know it’s my
calling and enjoy sharing daily progress of Dollarsandart across traditional and
digital platforms maturing from 'Look at me I'm an Artist, this is my story' to 'Tell
me more about your story, your brand, your life - let's celebrate that’.
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!Dollarsandart FZE, Level 14, Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard,
Downtown Dubai, PO Box 334036, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: + 971 4 425 7378
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Jim Wheat - Artists statement & Bio
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Jim Wheat enjoyed his first solo exhibition at the Media One Hotel, Dubai, during
March 2013 where “The Money Collection” was showcased as part of his ground
breaking “Dubai Dollar Project.” His primary goal to ‘make art more accessible’
was achieved - but not without life changing financial and emotional risk, giving
away over $64,000 of art whilst launching him into the art world, uninvited.
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November 2013 saw Dollarsandart invited to showcase 4 original artworks on the
Etihad yacht at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In January 2014, he honoured the
concept at the Dubai Desert Classic and a collaboration with golfer Rory Mcllroy as
the foundation for Art meeting sport and business was set. Sponsoring the CEO
Masters at Dubai Creek golf & yacht Club, with Dubai Sports Council was one of the
highlights.
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In March 2014, Jim returned to the Media One Hotel to showcase “THE
INTERGALACTIC$” in the 2014 Dubai Dollar Project, bringing with it an augmented
reality experience and collaborative partnerships with strong, open-minded brands.
The cream of both collections coming together is all about celebrating the story so
far featured on SKY news, Asian net and China Central T.V.
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The Russian community in the UAE honoured Jim at the National day of the Russian
Federation on June 12th 2014. Prior to his working showcasing throughout the glass
corridors of the Jumeriah Creekside Hotel entitled ‘The Reflective Collective’. This
allowed the public access to his original works for 3 months as he worked
prolifically on ‘Back in the U$$R’ under the auspices of the Russian Consulate and
Art Media at Anantara hotel, Palm Island followed by the sponsorship of the 2015 /
2016 Russian classical collection and the ice hockey team ‘Dubai $ Guerillas’. It
was during ‘Back in the U$$R’ that Jim was commissioned to produce an original
work of Art honouring Soviet and Ice Hockey legend, Boris Mikhailov celebrating the
1972 summit series, designed to inspire ice hockey players all over the world.
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!Dollarsandart FZE, Level 14, Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard,
Downtown Dubai, PO Box 334036, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: + 971 4 425 7378
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Jim Wheat - Artists statement & Bio
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In April 2015, Wheat launched, HEROE$ & VILLAIN$ at the RIRA Gallery in the heart
of D.I.F.C, with Mercedes Benz enjoying title sponsorship. Exploring both sides of
the coin celebrating the lives of people the Artist has met were unveiled from
Donald Trump, Jordan Belfort : the Real wolf of Wall Street, Alice Cooper,
Manchester United and cricketer Kevin Pietersen to the unsung heroes of Dubai
such as Damian the Sri Lankan Security guard and the blue overall of the
construction workers.
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Honoured in the Dubai community by being the featured artist at the 2015 Noor
Special Needs gala dinner under the auspices of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of
Dubai with the auction of the artwork ‘Noor for the eyes’ along with the artists
couture jacket, designed by Charlotte Van der Haer, formerly of Alexander
McQueen.
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July 4th, 2015 saw the opening of ‘New York, YOU - York’ at according to Mcgee, a
contemporary art gallery in York, UK supporting the charity 'New Visuality’ opened
by dollarsandart UK patron, Sir Ian Botham.
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Summer 2015 offered perfect opportunities to paint and showcase in Prague &
Budapest with the team from Cermak Eisenkraft, now showcasing Dollarsandart
with their first GCC planned at the Katara cultural village in collaboration with the
Qatar fine arts society and Qatari Royal family. Residency commenced in London at
private members club, L’escargot and an activation at The Arts club, Dover Street,
Mayfair leading to the commission celebrating the life of Frank Sinatra.
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Jim effortlessly dovetails the seemingly disparate worlds of luxury, celebrity, sport,
art and charity which led to him being honoured as Arts & Culture Ambassador of
Fit for Business, a private online business club built on sporting values with a strong
entrepreneurial focus with the motto of ‘courage & wisdom’.
!Dollarsandart FZE, Level 14, Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard,
Downtown Dubai, PO Box 334036, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: + 971 4 425 7378
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Jim Wheat - Artists statement & Bio
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Highlights : A brief history of DollarsandArt : Exhibitions
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March 2013 - 2013 Dubai $ Project at Media One Hotel, Dubai
!28 originals featuring The Money Collection
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March 2014 - 2014 Dubai $ Project at Media One Hotel, Dubai
!28 originals featuring The INTERGALACTIC$
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Summer 2014 - Reflective Collective Jumeirah Creekside hotel, Dubai
!The cream of 20 originals plus limited edition prints
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November 2014 - Back in the U$$R at the Anantara Hotel, Dubai
!20 Originals celebrating Soviet Culture 1961- 1991
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April 2015 - Heroes & Villains, RIRA Gallery, DIFC, Dubai
20 originals celebrating both sides of the coin
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July 2015 - New York, YOU - York’ York, England, UK
!20 U.K inspired Originals
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!Dollarsandart FZE, Level 14, Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard,
Downtown Dubai, PO Box 334036, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: + 971 4 425 7378
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Jim Wheat - Artists statement & Bio
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Current Artist in residence
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Meydan Hotel, Dubai
!14 selected originals from The Money Collection (2013) Intergalactic$ collection
(2014) and Heroe$ & VillainS (2015)
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Tr!beca Bar & Grill, Dubai
!4 selected originals from The Money Collection (2013) Intergalactic$ collection
(2014) with decorated furniture as art installations
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ITP Publishing, Media City Dubai
!4 selected originals from Intergalactic$ collection (2014)
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ETON Institute, Knowledge village, Dubai
!6 selected originals from Back in the U$$R (2014)
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INKAS private security vehicles, Dubai Investments Park
!6 selected originals from Back in the U$$R (2014)
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L’escargot, Soho, London
!8-10 selected originals
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Arts Club, London
!The original artwork ‘$pinach’ presented to the executive directors and associated
staff.
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August 2015 - Selected works : Cermak Eisenkraft, Prague & Budapest
!Selected works curated as part of Artist in residence program
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!Dollarsandart FZE, Level 14, Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard,
Downtown Dubai, PO Box 334036, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: + 971 4 425 7378
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Jim Wheat - Artists statement & Bio
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2016 Exhibition, Partners & Events pipeline
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Key Objective : To build on the platform, possibly forming strong
associations with new brands keen to develop in the luxury sector.
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Exhibitions
!March 2016 : Art Dubai in association with the Russian Consulate General.
!April 2016 - ‘Time & Money’ 2016 Dubai $ Project RIRA Gallery, DIFC
!June 2016 : Art Basel (featured brand to be finalised by end 2015)
!September 2016 : ‘QUE$T’ exhibition London
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Outline Events from November 2015 - Summer 2016
!USSR classical music series / Abu Dhabi F1 / Al Noor special needs / Ice hockey
league / Big project golf day / Meydan Golf days / Fashion forward Dubai / Gold
refinery opening /Art Dubai
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Artist in residence pipeline 2016
!January 2016 : Perry & Blackwelder’s smokehouse :Madinet Jumeirah
Dubai Desert Palm Polo Club : Dubai
!February 2016 : Gulf gold Refinery (Jumierah Lake towers)
!!March 2016 : BASF Corporate office Dubai Investments Park, Dubai
!!April 2016 : ALWAL Fitness (location tbc - likely Emirates Hills)
!!Summer 2016 : Gaucho London / Prague / USSR
!Possibly U.S.A / Paris / Monaco.
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!Dollarsandart FZE, Level 14, Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard,
Downtown Dubai, PO Box 334036, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel: + 971 4 425 7378
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