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The National
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Two Venice Biennale exhibitions debut in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
Two exhibitions by the National Pavilion UAE that were presented at the Venice Biennale have finally made their way to the UAE. That, along with other new offerings by local galleries, means that there's quite a bit to catch up on in the local arts scene. From poetic reflections of the country's natural landscapes to the Dubai debut of Nigerian-British artist Sola Olulode, here are four exhibitions to see this week. Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia was the National Pavilion UAE exhibition at last year's Venice Biennale. The show brought eight bodies of Abdullah Al Saadi's works, two of which were created specifically for the biennial. The exhibition is now making its UAE debut, showing at 421 until May 4. Like the original show, it is being curated by Tarek Abou El Fetouh. Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia delves into Al Saadi's process and works with theatrical charm. Visitors trace a path through the exhibition as performers reveal works emerging from metal chests that allude to the artist's studio space in Khor Fakkan, and telling stories as part of the performance. Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-8pm; until May 4; 421 Arts Campus, Abu Dhabi A seminal work by an important Emirati artist, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim's Between Sunrise and Sunset was commissioned by the National Pavilion UAE and featured at the 2022 Venice Biennale. The work is now on display in the UAE for the first time in an exhibition at the Maraya Art Centre in Sharjah, which has been organised with the support of Lawrie Shabibi and the National Pavilion UAE. The exhibition features three paintings by Ibrahim, but the titular installation is the centrepiece, taking the entirety of the second-floor gallery space. The installation features 128 sculptural forms, each unique in shape, size and colour. The sculptures are arranged in a gradient, ranging from more vivid hues to the dulled and monochrome palettes that allude to the night. For Ibrahim, the work is meant to reflect the diversity of the UAE, both environmentally and culturally, while also evoking the metaphorical breadth of night and day. Saturday to Thursday, 10am-7pm; Friday, 4pm-7pm; until August 1; Maraya Art Centre, Sharjah Shama Al Hamed is marking her first solo exhibition, only a few years after earning her Bachelor of Visual Art degree from Zayed University in 2022. The exhibition features a vibrant mix of sculptures, installations and paintings that show surprising range for a young artist. The works reflect upon Al Hamed's journey as an artist, using the act of jumping as a metaphor for creative experimentation, as well as movement between different memories and emotions. Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm; until April 5; Aisha Alabbar Gallery, Dubai Olulode's debut exhibition in Dubai ventures towards the sea in an exploration of myth and memory. The Nigerian-British artist's paintings often features references to the Yoruba water spirit, Yemaya, while exploring concepts of femininity and the power of nature. In the exhibited works, Olulode draws from her archive of photographs taken during trips to Caribbean, Mallorca and Senegal. However, instead of realistic recreations of the photographs in paint, the images are reimagined with a dreamlike nature and with bold colours. The paintings, as a result, become places where memories and legends intertwine, with water featured as a freeing element. Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm; until April 9; Lawrie Shabibi, Dubai A new adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet will debut in Dubai on Friday, inspired by the music of the legendary rock band Queen. Featuring a five-piece band playing the British group's songs throughout the performance, the adaptation by Cross Bronx Studio's Lydia DeSouza punctuates the sword fights and star-crossed romance by a number of the UAE's theatre veterans with guitar solos and vocal gymnastics in the style of Freddie Mercury. Friday to Sunday, Theatre by QE2, Dubai
Khaleej Times
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
One-of-a-kind friendship: Meet UAE artist inspired by Khor Fakkan mountains
'They may seem harsh, but they are not,' said Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, reflecting on his lifelong connection to the rugged mountains of Khor Fakkan. 'There is so much life within them, and when I am there – surrounded by the stones, the hanging trees, and the small creatures – I find true peace. My family has always been drawn to the sea, but for me, they were the mountains that called.' Ibrahim, 63, one of the UAE's most significant conceptual artists, has spent decades exploring and documenting his surroundings. His deep engagement with nature manifests in an artistic practice that transcends conventional forms, drawing on the textures and rhythms of the land. His recent exhibition at Maraya Art Centre in Al Qasba, Sharjah, followed an acclaimed showing at the Venice Biennale, where he represented the National Pavilion UAE with his installation titled 'Between Sunrise and Sunset'. The work is a poetic meditation on memory, transformation, and the shifting colours of light — concepts that have shaped his artistic vision for years. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The first sunset Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ibrahim shared the origins of 'Between Sunrise and Sunset' trace back to a hidden moment in his childhood — one that lay dormant in his subconscious until it resurfaced in his art. Growing up in Khor Fakkan, a coastal city enveloped by mountains, Ibrahim had never seen a complete sunset. The landscape – beautiful yet imposing – obscured the horizon, allowing only the shifting light of dusk to filter through. It was only on a visit to Sharjah with his father that he witnessed, for the first time, the full effect of the sun setting. He recalled how the golden light bathed the old souks, casting hues he never encountered before. The experience was almost mystical, leaving an indelible mark on his perception of colour and time. This encounter ultimately inspired his Venice Biennale installation — a series of undefined sculptures fashioned from everyday materials like paper, tea leaves, and cardboard. 'Some might see them as trees, others as lamp posts. Their ambiguity is intentional, inviting viewers to find their own meanings. What remains undeniable, however, is the evocative interplay of colour, which shifts subtly across the sculptures, mirroring the phases of the sun's daily cycle,' he shared. An artist shaped by change Sitting in a quiet shop within Maraya Art Centre, surrounded by art books and handmade crafts, Ibrahim shared more about his life and creative exploration. 'The formation of the UAE changed everything,' he said. 'Before that, we were always here — artists, writers, musicians — but after the union, we became more connected to the world. There was an awakening, a realisation that we could forge our own artistic identity.' One of the pivotal moments in his career was meeting Hassan Sharif, the Emirati conceptual art pioneer, who had returned from studying abroad. Conceptual art, which prioritises ideas and concepts over traditional aesthetic or material concerns, became a key influence in their discussions. Through these exchanges, Ibrahim was introduced to land art — a movement that resonated deeply with his instinctive engagement with nature. He shard: 'Our conversations were always about creation and connection to the environment. More importantly, we wanted to ensure that future generations of Emirati artists would have a foundation — a continuum of artistic expression that would endure beyond us. And we were right; it is still growing, still evolving.' Ibrahim is regarded as one of the five pioneers of contemporary conceptual art in the UAE, alongside Hassan Sharif, Abdullah Al Saadi, Hussain Sharif, and Mohammed Kazem. They are jokingly referred to as the 'Jackson Five' of Emirati art. Silence, sound, and the art of listening Beyond the expected influences of classical music and traditional Khaleeji rhythms, Ibrahim's taste in music reveals a penchant for the experimental. He spoke of John Cage, particularly his infamous piece 4'33' — a composition of pure silence that forces the audience to listen to the ambient sounds around them. 'This piece,' he said, 'isn't about silence — it's about listening. It forces you to become aware of the sounds that are always there, but that we usually ignore.' His admiration for Cage aligns with his own artistic philosophy — an openness to experience, a reverence for the unnoticed, and a desire to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. The artist as a librarian Another unexpected revelation was Ibrahim's past as a librarian in Khor Fakkan — an experience that he admitted shaped his artistic sensibilities as much as any formal training. 'Libraries are worlds within worlds,' he noted, 'I was always surrounded by books, and that became a familiar space for me.' His personal collection is vast and eclectic, covering everything from mythology to anthropology – disciplines that he believes hold the key to understanding the origins of creativity. 'Humans have always documented their existence. Whether through cave paintings, hieroglyphs, or poetry, we have an innate need to record our experiences — to leave behind something that speaks of who we were,' Ibrahim noted. The essence of Ibrahim's mission is not just to create, but to inspire future generations of Emirati artists to continue the journey. To explore, to experiment, to push beyond the boundaries of form and tradition. His piece of advice about life: 'Read about anything and everything. Never limit yourself.' Artistic notes Between Sunrise and Sunset, a seminal installation by Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, offers a deeply personal meditation on time, transformation, and the interplay of colour. Originally curated by Maya Allison, chief curator and executive director at the NYUAD Art Gallery, and commissioned for the National Pavilion UAE at the Biennale Arte 2022, the installation is now showcased in Sharjah and in collaboration with Lawrie Shabibi. Curated by Cima Azzam, the ongoing exhibition at Maraya Art Centre in Al Qasba, invites visitors to immerse themselves in Ibrahim's distinctive visual language — where organic forms and shifting hues reflect the passage of light from dawn to dusk. Running until August 1, this showcase offers a rare opportunity to experience a work that not only pays homage to the landscapes of the UAE but also speaks to the universality of memory, perception, and artistic introspection.
The National
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Beirut as a regional hub for modern abstract art and Sharjah Biennial
A slate of new exhibitions and events in the UAE are highlighting cross-cultural connections but in very different ways. From a show that shares how Lebanon was at a crossroads for abstract artists from across the Arab world to an examination of the poetry of resistance, which reveals how they echo beyond borders and with a universal timbre, here are a few exhibitions to see this week. A pioneering figure of abstract art in the region, Nadia Saikali's spotlight is perhaps long overdue. The Lebanese artist's work ranges across a variety of mediums and styles, despite them often veering towards abstraction. From her early gestural work to the line-based paintings and sprawling landscape canvases in the later stages of her career, Saikali's work is at the heart of a new show at Sharjah's Maraya Art Centre. Yet, the exhibition – co-organised with the Barjeel Art Foundation – opens up to feature works by her contemporaries, all of whom are women. The artists come from across the Arab world, but they all spent time reducing work in Beirut during the 1960s and 1970s. As such, Beirut becomes the star of the exhibition, showing how the city was a regional hub for artists. Saturday to Thursday, 10am-7pm; Friday, 4pm-7pm; until July 13; Maraya Art Centre, Sharjah Shilpa Gupta's first solo exhibition in the Middle East is being held at the Ishara Art Foundation. The exhibition presents a large body of work, produced since 2006. The artworks, though ranging in medium, all have a central preoccupation in that they challenge the notions of border, terrestrial and political. Some drawings highlight works by poets from around the world who faced persecution, showing how their writings transcended demarcations. A room-filled installation, titled Listening Air, meanwhile, features songs of resistance, emanating from microphones that move across the space. Monday to Saturday, 10am-7pm; until May 31; Ishara Art Foundation, Dubai Tunisian artist Karim Jabbari, whose practice involves light and calligraphy, is presenting a solo exhibition at Inloco Gallery. The pieces, created as part of his residency in Dubai, examine the importance of tradition in a contemporary world. The works show how poetry is a starting point for Jabbari's art as well. Several calligraphic pieces take cues from the Arabic poetry that Jabbari found in his father's library. The exhibition also features documentation of his light calligraphy pieces, showing how the artist engages with disparate traditions and cultures to create something idiosyncratic. The exhibition comes as part of Inloco Gallery's third season and includes an art intervention in Satwa, as well as performances by Jabbari and Emirati artist Khalil Abdulwahid. Monday to Wednesday, noon-7pm; Thursday to Friday, noon-8pm; Inloco Gallery, Dubai Sharjah's prestigious art event is back. It is showcasing 650 works by almost 200 artists, including 200 commissioned works. The biennial will be taking place under the title "To Carry", reflecting the memories and traditions we individually carry with us. The event is running across 17 venues in Sharjah, including locations in Al Hamriyah, Al Dhaid and Kalba. The event opens on Thursday and will be running until June 15. It is curated by Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala and Zeynep Oz. The biennial is running in several locations across Sharjah. More information at
