Latest news with #SharjahBiennial16
What's On
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Final call: Experience Sharjah Biennial 16 before it ends
Sponsored: The region's largest art event… Art lovers, this is your final call — Sharjah Biennial 16 (SB16), the region's biggest and most talked-about contemporary art event, wraps up on June 15, 2025. Titled to carry , the Biennial spans the entire Emirate of Sharjah, from city landmarks to coastal and desert towns, inviting you to explore what we carry as individuals and societies — emotionally, culturally, and historically. With over 650 artworks by nearly 200 global participants, including more than 200 new commissions, this edition is massive in both scale and scope. Five curators – Alia Swastika,Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala and Zeynep Öz – shape a multi-layered narrative that challenges and expands traditional perspectives on contemporary art, identity, and community. Explore over 650 works across the Emirate Make sure to plan your route as SB16 stretches across multiple venues in Sharjah City, Al Hamriyah, Kalba, Al Dhaid, and beyond. Each site offers a unique curatorial voice, making this Biennial a journey of perspectives as much as places. Finally, let the theme guide you . This year's title — to carry —asks you to reflect: what do you carry in life, culture, memory, or identity? The answer may look different at every venue. Join a free guided tour and discover hidden layers Make the most of your visit by booking a free individual or group tour. These insightful walks not only deepen your understanding of the artworks but also connect you with Sharjah's rich heritage and architectural gems. Make sure to book your spot using the online form here to schedule your tour. And don't miss Sunday specials. Every Sunday at 2pm, hop on one of the free shuttle buses from Al Mureijah Square. Choose between Bus 1 to Al Hamriyah & Kalba or Bus 2 to the Central Region—no reservations needed, just show up. Play Michael Parekōwhai's carved Steinway Grand Piano Pianists, take note – this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform on a carved Steinway grand piano that doubles as a sculpture. Created by Michael Parekōwhai, this Māori-influenced artwork titled He Kōrero Pūrākau mo Te Awanui o Te Motu: Story of a New Zealand river awaits your touch. Book a 30-minute slot through the website to perform on this exquisite piece in Gallery 3, Al Mureijah Square, on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays, until Sunday, June 15. Stream artist conversations on the go with Biennial Bytes 2 Take the Biennial with you by listening to Biennial Bytes 2, the official SB16 podcast series. Perfect for car rides, coffee breaks, or post-visit reflections. New episodes drop every Monday featuring SB16 artists and curators. You can find it on your favorite platform: Apple, Spotify, Anghami, Google Podcasts – or head to to catch up. Before you go: visit tips and essentials Check out the full programme and plan your experience on the SB16 Visit Page. Venues are open daily, and many installations are located in heritage buildings and public courtyards – wear comfy shoes, bring water, and stay curious. The best part is that entry to all exhibitions, tours, performances, and activations is totally free of charge. Whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or a curious explorer, SB16 is your chance to dive deep into stories that transcend borders. But hurry — it all ends June 15. Sharjah Biennial 16, multiple venues across the Emirate of Sharjah, until June 15, free, Sat to Thu, 9am to 9pm, Fri, 4pm to 9pm, Image caption: From left to right: Cassi Namoda,Kala vanga heti, 2024. From 'Carapau in the deep abyss', by Sharjah Art Foundation. Courtesy of the artist and Xavier Hufkens, Brussels; Alia Farid,Chibayish(still), 2023. Commissioned by The Vega Foundation and Doha Film Institute. Image courtesyof the artist; Michael Parekōwhai,He Kōrero Pūrākau mo te Awanui o Te Motu: Story of a New Zealandriver, 2011. Collection Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa;Güneş Terkol, Gori Leso Leso, 2024. Image courtesy of the artist; Akira Ikezoe,Bears on the Diagram of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant,2021/2024, Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation. Courtesy of the artist.
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Photographic artist appointed ONZM
Acclaimed photographic artist Dr Fiona Pardington has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to photography. Based in South Canterbury for the past six years, Dr Pardington (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, Ngāti Kahungunu) is an internationally acclaimed photographer active since the 1980s, who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017 for her services to photography. Since 2017, Dr Pardington has represented New Zealand at the London Art Fair and Art Basel Hong Kong. She participated in the 2018 major international exhibition "Oceania" at London's Royal Academy of the Arts and was the first New Zealander invited to participate in the Sharjah Biennial 16 in the United Arab Emirates in 2024. She collaborated with the Wellcome Collection Science Museum in London in 2019, resulting in the exhibition at Christchurch Art Gallery "Orphans of Māoriland". She has held four solo exhibitions in New Zealand galleries since 2017 and has been featured in numerous national group exhibitions. Dr Pardington has donated photographs to the collection of the Aigantighe Art Gallery in Timaru and Christchurch Art Gallery, as well as for a charity auction to support Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari wildlife reserve in Pukeatua. She has also donated funds for the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Te Tumu Toi for their Springboard award for emerging artists. Dr Pardington has sourced historical bird remains, including huia parts, from overseas auctions and donated them to the Canterbury Museum. She has previously been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (Queen's Birthday 2017) and Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (France) in 2016. In June last year, Dr Pardington's photographic exhibition "Te taha o te rangi" (The Edge of the Heavens) opened at the Aigantighe Art Gallery. The exhibition resulted from a visit to the South Canterbury Museum in 2023, when she was captivated by the dynamic and lifelike quality of the taxidermied native birds, and began focusing on photographing the birds' heads, treating them like human portraits. She said this new approach allowed her to delve deeply into her new local surroundings and community after having only relocated to South Canterbury in 2019.
Sharjah 24
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
SAF announces Autumn 2025 progs, launch of 2 initiatives
The season includes the 2025 editions of Perform Sharjah, Sharjah Film Platform and Focal Point—the Foundation's annual film festival, performance programme, art book fair in addition to music events. Internationally, recent and new work by artist Mounira Al Solh is on view in her mid-career solo exhibition at The Bonnefanten, Maastricht, co-organised by Sharjah Art Foundation, from 7 June 2025 to 11 January 2026. The exhibition will be on view in Sharjah in 2027. Singing Wells' Sharjah Biennial 16 project Sonic Inheritances, commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation and Bergen Assembly, will be on view at the 5th Bergen Assembly, Norway (11 September–9 November 2025). Stephanie Comilang's Search for Life II, commissioned by TBA21, Sharjah Art Foundation and The Vega Foundation, is on view in CARA, New York, until 10 August 2025. Additionally, premiering at the Festival d'Avignon in July is Laaroussa Quartet by Selma and Sofiane Ouissi supported by Sharjah Art Foundation and the presentation of Magec / The Desert by Radouan Mriziga co-produced by the Foundation. These performances will be presented at Perform Sharjah's upcoming season in Autumn 2025. Exhibition programme Afra Al Dhaheri The autumn season begins with the first institutional solo show of Afra Al Dhaheri. The exhibition invites the audience to reflect on the textures and rhythms of temporality by focusing on the artist's mixed media works which experiment with repetition, layering and accumulation. Leda Catunda Marking the first major solo exhibition of artist Leda Catunda in the region, this presentation brings together a vibrant selection of her haptic works from the 1980s to the present. Catunda's practice crafts together readymade graphics, fabrics and everyday items. Co-organised with Halle für Kunst Steiermark, Graz, the exhibition will travel to Austria in June 2026. Rachid Koraïchi Spanning five decades of his practice, this major survey traces artist Rachid Koraïchi's ongoing exploration into signs and symbols from a diverse range of languages and cultural traditions, through multifaceted installations inspired by the legacy of Islamic mysticism. Works from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection For the first time since its restoration, Kalba Ice Factory, the Foundation's east coast venue, hosts a large-scale presentation of works from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection. New openings Photography gallery and Al Majarrah Park November marks the launch of two landmark initiatives. In Al Manakh, the Foundation opens a new photography gallery housed in a repurposed former telecommunications building. The inaugural presentation features a wide-ranging selection of photographs from the Foundation's collection. Simultaneously, Al Majarrah Park, adjacent to Rain Room Sharjah, will open to the public following its transformation by the artist collective Superflex in close collaboration with Schul landscape architects, and local residents. Annual events Perform Sharjah Sharjah Art Foundation's performing arts season returns this October with the fourth edition of Perform Sharjah, expanding its presence across the cities of Sharjah and Khorfakkan. With a diverse lineup reflecting and celebrating Sharjah's rich cultural fabric, the season will create shared experiences to connect people through art in familiar and unexpected spaces. Sharjah Film Platform 8 The eighth edition of Sharjah Film Platform, the Foundation's annual festival of independent cinema and experimental filmmaking, includes the UAE premieres of a selection of films nominated by an international committee, all of which will compete for the Sharjah Film Platform Awards. Focal Point Sharjah Art Foundation's annual art book fair showcases independent bookmaking from around the world. A critical space for knowledge-sharing and community building, the fair features a compelling selection of printed material by cultural producers who expand and experiment with the medium of publishing. It also includes workshops for print and design enthusiasts. Music programme Sharjah Art Foundation is organising listening sessions and gatherings for the local community as well as concerts, workshops and talks. Sharjah will welcome a diverse group of musicians, who will perform and share their experiences of both traditional and experimental musical forms. A conference on maritime music from the Western Indian Ocean is also planned for the end of the year. Two book projects will be launched during Focal Point. More details will be available closer to the dates of the events.
Time Out Dubai
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- 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?
Emirates Woman
03-05-2025
- Emirates Woman
The best cultural spots and culinary must-visits in Sharjah – an ultimate guide
Life by Camille Macawili 2 hours ago Discover the best cultural spots and culinary must-visits in the third largest Emirate, Sharjah. THE STAY THE CHEDI AL BAIT Nestled within the fulcrum of Sharjah's vibrant landscape, this single-storey luxurious property with a collection of historic manor houses is your chic gateway to enjoy modern comforts and traditional Emirati culture in a tranquil and chic setting. THE MUST-VISITS SHARJAH ART FOUNDATION A pioneering space for enthusiasts to discover artists in the region and globally. Sharjah Biennial 16, one of the biggest international platforms for art and culture, showcases exhibitions that are on view until the end of June 2025. MLEIHA NATIONAL PARK This remote desert location with its rolling Barchan sand dunes, limestone outcrops, and alluvial gravel plains is a natural wonder in Sharjah. Bridging its rich cultural legacy with the community, the Mleiha experience ensures local traditions and stories are celebrated and preserved. Ranging from outdoor adventures, guided tours to eco-luxury retreats, visitors can enjoy Mleiha's unique desert ecosystem and are treated to a holistic experience. HOUSE OF WISDOM Designed by British design firm Foster + Partners, this cultural hub is a forward-thinking architectural haven that encourages reading and intellectual conversations. Built with a two-storey library, other facilities include lecture halls, reading lounges, exhibition spaces, a dedicated children's educational area, a courtyard and restaurant with outdoor greenery including a landscaped garden area for relaxation, created with the intention of community building. BAIT ELOWAL A two-storey heritage house envisioned by Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi offers a blend of the culinary arts and heritage. 'Bait' means house, while 'Elowal' is a traditional Emirati word for a traveller who has been away from home and returns with stories, souvenirs and new flavours from other cultures. Nestled in a restored district in the heart of Sharjah, visitors can expect to embark on a journey in each of the different areas adorned with artisanal craftsmanship from around the world, curated by Her Excellency Sheikha Boudour herself, as well as a culinary menu utilising locally-sourced ingredients that showcase flavours inspired by the ancient Silk Road. THE DINING LINK BY MARA With international fusion street food and a scintillating majlis-style seating area with fairy lights, guests can lay back for hours and hours of leisure. With a plethora of mouthwatering desserts and must-have beverages, this spot has a private bonfire option in an intimate setting to enjoy with all your loved ones. View this post on Instagram A post shared by إثر (@ ETHR CLUBHAUS The Abu Dhabi-born coffee and eatery space brings its minimalistic concept to Muwaileh Commercial district in Sharjah. The aesthetic culinary destination boasts of contemporary visual codes stamped with a cultural identity that runs through the space. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lammah Space (@ LAMMAH SPACE Enjoy a serene and productive environment to meet, chill, network, and dine at this co-working space designed with a minimalist aesthetic. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied and Instagram @mthayel
