Juma Al Haj finds new meaning in seclusion with first institutional solo show in Abu Dhabi
Juma Al Haj’s new exhibition arrives at a turning point in his life. Last June, after 15 years in a corporate career, the Emirati artist left his job and returned to university to fully commit himself to art. Revelation, now on view at 421 Arts Campus in Abu Dhabi, grew out of this period of reassessment. The exhibition – which is also Al Haj ’s first institutional solo show – was developed…
Juma Al Haj has found new meaning in seclusion with his debut solo exhibition in Abu Dhabi. After 15 years in a corporate career, the Emirati artist left his job and returned to university, which led to the creation of "Revelation" at the 421 Arts Campus. The exhibition, a first for Al Haj, features painting, glass, text, light, shadow, water, and installation, exploring themes of seclusion, reflection, and personal revelation as part of an ongoing process.
Al Haj began posting his work online during the Covid-19 pandemic, which encouraged him to take his artistic practice more seriously. The installation gradually leads visitors towards a darker space, symbolized by water, representing movement and renewed energy. The cyclical thinking is evident in one of the early works, "Balaa," which explores the Arabic concept of trial or affliction.
The exhibition is designed to be physical, with visitors required to remove their shoes, connecting to the experience of entering a sacred space. Al Haj sees black as a contemplative color, allowing certain elements to stand out while others recede. With a focus on the intangible, "Revelation" effectively turns invisible layers into a visually tangible experience, allowing viewers to move through the process on display.
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