Today's Edition
TALAH TURK (ABU DHABI)
The concept of art is intertwined with inspiration, and the grandest masterpieces take shape when artists are immersed in the beautiful surroundings of their choosing.
Whether it is golden sand dunes, lush green mangroves, or vibrant city streets, Abu Dhabi offers backdrops in every shade and theme to set the brushstrokes in motion. The younger generation is blessed with inspiration on every corner to paint a brighter artistic future for the UAE capital.
Where to Go? What to See?
Being home to a number of world-renowned museums and art galleries makes Abu Dhabi the perfect city to stimulate the creative mind. Saadiyat Cultural District, the centrepiece of the city’s art scene, offers a host of destinations, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, teamLab Phenomena, and soon Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
There is an abundance of events on the cultural calendar to pique the interest of the creatives, who are guaranteed their regular dose of art to drive their own creative momentum.
Currently on display at the Louvre is “Picasso, the Figure”, a landmark exhibition on the modern master and his radical reinvention of art.
In May, “The World of Studio Ghibli” is coming to the Emirati capital for the first time, bringing “a breathtaking exhibition of iconic scenes, hand-crafted sets, and unforgettable storytelling”.
The Cultural Foundation is displaying “Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim: Two Clouds in the Night Sky”, which celebrates the work of the influential artist and his role in advancing contemporary art in the UAE.
Also open to the public is the “And After” exhibition, which explores the element of air and its various states through the lens of Arabic terminology.
Nurturing Atmosphere for Budding Creatives
Whether it is education or practice that an artist is seeking, the city is home to countless institutions that offer different programmes that simulate artists’ growth.
The Cultural Foundation, for example, offers a one-of-a-kind Art Residency programme that seeks to support and advance UAE-based professionals by enabling them to create and exhibit, promising visibility and endorsement.
For those seeking less commitment, the foundation’s Al Marsam Al Hor space invites the public to try their hand at a wide range of classes on sketching, sculpting, pottery, and jewellery making.
The Art Studio offers a structured five-month residency at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the Teaching Artist Fellowship, which is a perfect fit for those who prioritise community engagement within their practice, while developing their skills as teachers.
Run by talented art teachers, the studio also has casual, drop-in spaces, as well as education programmes designed to cater to the local community’s needs. It supports youth artists by enriching their portfolios and skillsets, and helps them to pursue a career in the arts.
Rizq Art Initiative’s 12-week residency programme provides opportunities for artists, curators, and theorists to enhance their skills in a studio environment, where they also get to network and grow their body of work through collaborations with various communities and institutions.
Other establishments offering similar support include the Louvre with its Fellowship and Grants Programme.
Leadership Present in the Creative Space
The UAE’s leadership is ever present, in the front row applauding artistic talents and encouraging efforts that cement the capital’s position as a creative hub.
Earlier this month, for example, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, visited the seasonal art exhibitions organised by the Louvre.
His Highness also attended the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize Ceremony last May and inaugurated the 17th Abu Dhabi Art in November.
Additionally, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has also shown support for the arts, including the inauguration of an art exhibition by Ambassador Elie Turk, titled “From the Art of Diplomacy to the Art of Colours”, as well as the “Silent Force” exhibition by Syrian sculptor Wael Hilal.
This shows that while the arts might be overlooked and, in some cases, neglected in other countries, the UAE places great importance on and appreciation for artistic expression.
