Where to see Emirati artists abroad, from New York’s Guggenheim to Venice Biennale
From the US and UK to China, Emirati artists have been displaying their work in a varied range of venues, from major museums and galleries to biennales and public spaces. The art ranges from responses to pertinent issues including technology and environmental damage to abstraction and reflections on the region’s rich heritage. The exhibitions include major group surveys at New York’s Guggenheim…
From the United States and the United Kingdom to China, Emirati artists have been showcasing their work across various platforms, from prominent museums and galleries to international exhibitions and public installations. These artworks tackle a diverse array of subjects, ranging from contemporary issues like technology and environmental concerns to abstract expressions, and tributes to the region's cultural legacy.
Exhibitions encompass large-scale group showcases at institutions such as New York's Guggenheim and MoMA PS1, immersive installations in the Saudi Arabian desert, and standalone sculptures on the grounds of a British university.
Notably, two Emirati artists featured in this diverse display are Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim and Farah Al Qasimi, whose works are displayed at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The museum's second half exhibition traces the trajectory of pop art from the 1960s up to the present day. Ibrahim's Bearer (2020), a multi-media piece composed of paperboard, jute, papier-mâché, and paint, while Al Qasimi's Woman in Leopard Print (2019) presents an evocative photograph of a woman wearing a leopard-print headscarf. Both pieces are on display until January 10, 2027.
Another prominent Emirati artist, Hassan Sharif, has a work titled Cow Belly currently on display at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha. Originally created for Mathaf's inaugural program in 2010, this piece offers a critical commentary on industrial production, consumerism, and environmental degradation. Sharif's work continues to resonate with contemporary relevance, prompting ongoing reflection on these pressing matters.
The exhibition runs until August 8, 2023. Additionally, Sharif's Funnelled Paper, a work that physically changed as it traversed between Britain and the UAE during its creation, is also exhibited at the same venue. This exhibition runs until August 8, 2023.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
