How Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial is reimagining the meaning of home

In a city of international residents, public art in Abu Dhabi can unite people from different backgrounds. The Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, starting on October 23 in Al Ain and moving to the capital on November 15, aims to explore this idea. The exhibition, titled "Home: A Glossary for a Communal Sense of Place," features 21 Emirati and international artists whose works will be displayed in public spaces until February 15.

The exhibition's artistic director, Elvira Dyangani Ose, investigates the concept of what brings people together and what home means to individuals. Ose, who has previously led art institutions in Barcelona and London, emphasizes the responsibility artists have in creating works that resonate with the city's diverse population.

Home is not just a physical structure, but a personal and shared experience. The biennial explores how people develop attachments to places through memories and histories. By working in Abu Dhabi's public spaces, Ose believes artists can create more meaningful connections with the community.

Artists like Khalid Al Banna and Nari Ward bring unique perspectives to the exhibition. Al Banna will create a tribute to fishing nets, drawing inspiration from the district's maritime history, while Ward's work considers the trajectories of different lives. French artist Laure Prouvost will present an octopus-themed installation, and Argentinian artist Mercedes Azpilicueta will draw from the coral life beneath Abu Dhabi's waters.

The biennial also features works that highlight the UAE's traditional irrigation systems and the UAE's natural environments. By engaging with the city's history and material culture, the artists aim to create works that feel authentic and meaningful.