Time's running out to see Sharjah Biennial 16
One of the biggest contemporary art exhibitions in the UAE is ending soon, so it's time to carve out some time this weekend.
Sharjah Biennial 16, under the title to carry will come to a close on Sunday June 15. Until then, you can see the works in multiple venues across the city in everything from heritage buildings to public courtyards at Sharjah City, Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, Kalba and more.
Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation
What is it?
With more than 650 works by over 190 artists and over 200 brand-new commissions, it's a rich, multi-voiced conversation, spread across the city in everything from heritage buildings to public courtyards.
Curated by five voices from different backgrounds and practices, the experience is all about allowing the art, thoughts and conversations to unfold.
Exploring the exhibition
There are free guided tours available, whether you're going solo or as part of a group. Sign up for a free tour here: forms.sharjahart.org
You can even hop on a free Sunday shuttle from Al Mureijah Square at 2pm, with routes heading to both Kalba and Al Hamriyah. That's your transport and your tour sorted.
Michael Parekōwhai, He Kōrero Pūrākau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu: Story of a New Zealand river, 2011. Collection of Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation. Photo: Danko Stjepanovic
Play Michael Parekōwhai's Steinway grand piano
There are also unexpected surprises, like He Kōrero Pūrākau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu: Story of a New Zealand river which features a carved Steinway grand piano by artist Michael Parekōwhai.
And it's just for show, trained pianists can actually book a slot to play it, activating the sculpture through their own interpretation. Book your slots on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until June 15, 2025.
Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation
Listen to the exhibition
For those who prefer a more relaxed kind of art immersion, there's always Biennial Bytes 2, the podcast offering behind-the-scenes chats with participating artists. Episodes drop every Monday on Apple, Spotify, Anghami, Google and other podcast platforms, or you can catch up via sharjahart.org.
And when you're ready for a break, head to Fen Café & Restaurant for a snack or browse the Sharjah Art Shops for souvenirs and books. A little something to carry home with you, perhaps?
Entry to Sharjah Biennial 16 is completely free, and doors are open Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 9pm, and on Fridays from 4pm to 9pm.
See you there?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Dubai
30-05-2025
- Time Out Dubai
Time's running out to see Sharjah Biennial 16
One of the biggest contemporary art exhibitions in the UAE is ending soon, so it's time to carve out some time this weekend. Sharjah Biennial 16, under the title to carry will come to a close on Sunday June 15. Until then, you can see the works in multiple venues across the city in everything from heritage buildings to public courtyards at Sharjah City, Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid, Kalba and more. Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation What is it? With more than 650 works by over 190 artists and over 200 brand-new commissions, it's a rich, multi-voiced conversation, spread across the city in everything from heritage buildings to public courtyards. Curated by five voices from different backgrounds and practices, the experience is all about allowing the art, thoughts and conversations to unfold. Exploring the exhibition There are free guided tours available, whether you're going solo or as part of a group. Sign up for a free tour here: You can even hop on a free Sunday shuttle from Al Mureijah Square at 2pm, with routes heading to both Kalba and Al Hamriyah. That's your transport and your tour sorted. Michael Parekōwhai, He Kōrero Pūrākau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu: Story of a New Zealand river, 2011. Collection of Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation. Photo: Danko Stjepanovic Play Michael Parekōwhai's Steinway grand piano There are also unexpected surprises, like He Kōrero Pūrākau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu: Story of a New Zealand river which features a carved Steinway grand piano by artist Michael Parekōwhai. And it's just for show, trained pianists can actually book a slot to play it, activating the sculpture through their own interpretation. Book your slots on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays until June 15, 2025. Image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation Listen to the exhibition For those who prefer a more relaxed kind of art immersion, there's always Biennial Bytes 2, the podcast offering behind-the-scenes chats with participating artists. Episodes drop every Monday on Apple, Spotify, Anghami, Google and other podcast platforms, or you can catch up via And when you're ready for a break, head to Fen Café & Restaurant for a snack or browse the Sharjah Art Shops for souvenirs and books. A little something to carry home with you, perhaps? Entry to Sharjah Biennial 16 is completely free, and doors are open Saturday to Thursday from 9am to 9pm, and on Fridays from 4pm to 9pm. See you there?
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
How Scotland's top young musicians blew me away
A couple of decades ago, I used to visit to see my girlfriend (now wife) performing as part of her piano degree programme. At the time I was studying English and politics along the road at Strathclyde Uni, and walking into the RSAMD (as it was then known) always felt like entering an entirely different world - one where being absurdly exceptional was just the starting point. Twenty years on, that feeling is very much still there. In the canteen that doubles as a waiting area for families, friends and performers, I watched proud parents take photographs of teenagers in smart shirt-and-ties and formal dresses, their faces an endearing mixture of excitement, anxiety and, for those who had already performed, relief. As I sat in the auditorium waiting for the afternoon session to begin, I was reminded that being a great performer isn't just about musical ability or the hundreds and thousands of hours spent practising. I was only there to watch and make notes, and have spoken at all sorts of events to audiences large and small, but even to me the room felt intimidating, with a huge Steinway grand piano glowing under the purple intermission lights, and the sense of anticipation growing with every seat that was filled. The nerves in the room were unignorable, and I couldn't help but wonder how it felt to be backstage, or in a nearby practice room, knowing that your time is coming – that in a few minutes, you'd have to walk out on that stage, in front of all those people, and pull out what you hope is basically the performance of your life so far. The session began with a video from violinist Nicola Benedetti who told the young musicians to relax, to trust themselves, and to let their performance 'go where it wants.' And then it was time for the music to begin. READ MORE First out was a young man from Shetland with a white shirt, polished shoes, and an alto saxophone. I was writing notes as he brought it to his lips to get started, and as he finished his first piece – Samba Triste – I looked down and realised that my pen had remained suspended in place, just a few millimetres from the page, and I hadn't even noticed. Next up was a singer from South Lanarkshire who combined the scale and emotion of Song to the Seals with the genuinely funny – and still enormously technically impressive – Taylor, the Latte Boy. She was followed by a mesmerising clarsach player whose instrument was almost the same size as her, and whose confidence even allowed for a few glances to the audience as her fingers flicked and fluttered across the strings. A violinist played a piece he had first come across on social media. I was reminded just how bizarre-looking a bassoon is up close, and just how amazing it can be made to sound in the right hands. On and on it went, with stunning performance after stunning performance. And of course there was the odd error – a note missed by a fraction, a vanishingly slight loss of dynamic control, or a finger not quite keeping up with the fireworks going off in a musician's brain. But all they did was reinforce just how magical it feels to sit in the room like that one, in one of the world's leading performing arts centres, and watch a bunch of kids demonstrating just how brilliant they really are.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Ivanka Trump gushes over son Theo, 8, as he plays the White House piano for grandfather Donald
Ivanka Trump has proved to be every inch the proud mom as she gushed over son Theodore's music credentials. On Tuesday afternoon, the 43-year-old took to Instagram with a heartwarming video of the youngster, eight, as he sat perched behind a piano. Theo, who was dressed in a smart off-white suit, masterfully played an original song on the historic instrument as grandfather Donald Trump affectionately watched on. 'Theo debuting his first original composition for Grandpa last night at The White House,' Ivanka wrote to caption the performance. And viewers couldn't help but gush over the touching moment. 'This is the kind of moment that reminds us what we're really fighting for family, tradition, and a future worth building,' a user detailed. 'Theo playing for Grandpa Trump at the White House isn't just sweet, it's symbolic. A new generation growing up in a country that respects its roots. 'Legacy isn't just policy, it's personal. And this one's powerful.' 'Original? Very impressive!' another said. 'Bravo, Theo!' someone praised. Another wrote: 'I'm so impressed, that was super good. What a talented young man. Congratulations Theo!' 'Wow! Ivanka, he is incredible! You should be super proud Mumma Bear!' a user proclaimed. 'Outstanding and exciting! By the way, nice venue, nice piano,' a comment read. Someone commented: 'The most important and amazing part is that Donald J. Trump (one of the busiest men on earth) stood there in silence, totally respectful for this young artist… with full attention and nothing could be more important than listening to him.' 'Very nicely done Theo! You are very talented and should continue your work!' a person wrote. 'Good job young man! This is why we fight so hard for our future generations,' someone commented. 'I so love how your dad makes the White House a normal house where generations of a family play together,' another said. 'That's because you had a great dad- see it all trickles down,' a user said about Ivanka's father, Trump. Theo was playing a Steinway grand piano that was presented to FDR in 1938 by Theodore Steinway, per The White House Historical Association. It has gold leaf decorations representing 'five musical forms indigenous of America,' including a New England barn dance, a cowboy playing his guitar, the Virginia reel, two black field hands - one clapping and one dancing - and an Indian ceremonial dance. The grand piano also has three mahogany legs carved as American eagles. It has stood in the entrance hall to the White House since 1989 and is often played by members of the Marine Band during social functions.
