Frieze Abu Dhabi unveils inaugural programme led by award winner Dala Nasser

Dala Nasser, a Lebanese artist residing between Beirut and London, has been honored as the inaugural recipient of the Frieze Abu Dhabi Artist Award. The award-winning installation, titled Qubbat Duris, will serve as the centerpiece of the fair's debut program, running from November 19 to 22 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The installation draws inspiration from a 13th-century monument near Baalbek in Lebanon, incorporating Roman limestone sarcophagi and granite columns in a modern setting.

Frieze Abu Dhabi will also showcase an exhibition featuring Emirati artists Mohammed Kazem and Alia Zaal, a month-long sculpture display at Mamsha Beach, and thought-provoking discussions with artists, curators, and museum leaders. The fair will host over 80 galleries from 36 countries and territories. Nasser's work, which explores material memory and collective responsibility towards landscapes, will be supported by the award.

Organized by Frieze in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the event builds upon the legacy of Abu Dhabi Art, which previously ran for 17 years before rebranding.