We’re not left wanting when it comes to culture here in the UAE.
Now, a new cross-emirate collaboration is set to showcase the work of a renowned artist in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
NYUAD Art Gallery and Ishara Art foundation have partnered to open solo projects by Indian artist Amar Kanwar.
Exploring concepts including politics, power, violence, and justice, through poetic films and comprehensive multimedia works, the two exhibitions will go on display in the UAE from January.
In Abu Dhabi from January 22 to May 30, the NYUAD Art Gallery will host The Sovereign Forest, a multimedia installation that explores themes including crime, politics, human rights, and ecological crisis.
In Dubai from January 20 to May 20, The Ishara Art Foundation will host Such A Morning at Alsserkal Avenue, a video installation about modern existence, that features a well-off math professor who gives everything up to live in a train car.
“This collaboration with The NYUAD Art Gallery allows us to bring audiences in the UAE an even greater depth of work by Amar Kanwar, offering a comprehensive introduction to the practice of one of South Asia’s foremost artists,” said chairperson at Ishara Art Foundation, Smita Prabhakar.
“Such a Morning is a key work by the artist, offering us deep insight into how we might face contemporary challenges. As a new member of the UAE arts community, we are honoured to work alongside NYUAD Art Gallery on this presentation, and look forward to future collaborations that benefit and grow our shared audiences.”
Chief curator at NYU Abu Dhabi and executive director of The NYUAD Art Gallery, Maya Allison, says: “This is an exceptionally exciting exhibition and collaboration for The NYUAD Art Gallery.
“I’m delighted that our collaboration will enable audiences here to have the rare experience of seeing two such major Amar Kanwar projects in proximity.
“It is a unique privilege to host his thought-provoking and critically important work.
“The Sovereign Forest is, in many ways, a ‘living’ art work, one that continues to grow and shift with each installation, as do the questions it brings to light.
“The opening of the Ishara Art Foundation earlier this year marks an important new chapter for South Asian art in the UAE.
“When we opened our doors five years ago, I hoped we would one day see such a trans-institutional collaboration – one that benefits our university faculty and students, as well as our broader UAE audiences.”
For more information, visit www.ishara.org and www.nyuad-artgallery.org
