Just a few short months ago, you could barely swing a cat in the capital without flooring several A-list artists and smashing two or three contemporary masterpieces to feline-splattered smithereens. Opening the Doors at Gallery One showcased some of the greatest Middle Eastern talent ever to stretch a canvas, while RSTW at Manarat Al Saadiyat was a bold declaration of Abu Dhabi’s aspirations to cultural excellence.
But with both shows now over, and Acento Gallery – a long-term cornerstone of the city’s art scene – sadly no more, all is eerily quiet. Luckily, though, you needn’t travel far to discover some cultural treats…
Dubai
XVA Gallery: Though you’ve just missed a belter of a show in the provocative, widely talked about Between the Lines, one of Dubai’s most popular art spaces remains high on the list of the country’s most stimulating cultural outlets. You’ll find works from some of the most prominent Arab artists of the past 20 years at every turn, with local artist Maitha Huraiz’s complex, colourful sculptures vying with Nelda Gilliam’s frustration-loaded canvases for your pondersome gaze. Exhibitions run on a monthly cycle – look out for digital creations by Halim Al Karim in the latest, which runs until April 10.
Free entry. Open Sunday-Thursday 10am-8pm, Saturday noon-6pm, Building 7, DIFC Gate Village, Duabi (04 353 5383).
The Third Line: Featuring more than 20 Middle Eastern artists on its books, this is one of the best spots in the UAE to check out the latest movements of the region’s most envelope-pushing talent. Iranian artist Abbas Akhvan’s installations are a particular highlight – recent pieces have included a gold-leaf mural of the Dubai coastline from an aerial perspective; an ambiguous statement that could just as easily be read as criticism as it could praise for the booming city. With latest show Kaleidoscope a resounding hit, expect The Third Line’s halls to be busier than ever in the coming months.
Free entry. Open Saturday-Thursday 10am-7pm, Quoz, Dubai (04 341 1367).
Sharjah
Sharjah Art Museum: With Abu Dhabi’s Louvre gallery still little more than a pile of blueprints, Sharjah’s number one visitor attraction remains the biggest art museum in the Gulf region, with a staggering 111,000sq m of exhibition space. Within, you’ll find over 300 works from Arab artists, both contemporary and classical, with acclaimed painters Ali Darwish and Abdel Kader al-Rais among the crowd-pullers. There’s also a huge library on site, cramming in over 4,000 art-orientated titles to flick through. Visit from March 16 to check out the 10th Sharjah Biennial.
Free entry. Open Saturday-Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday 4pm-8pm, Corniche Road, Sharjah (06 568 8222)
Sharjah Calligraphy Museum: While you’ll have doubtless seen the odd calligraphy exhibition in Abu Dhabi, this museum remains the only UAE institution solely dedicated to the ancient art. Not that everything on show is a dusty old relic – as well as historic works on canvas, wood and ceramics, the museum also houses some more contemporary works, making one of the central pillars of the country’s cultural heritage accessible to all. Call ahead to book a free tour from the well-informed museum staff, or have a go yourself at one of the regular workshops.
Dhs5 for adults, free for children. Open Saturday-Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday 4pm-8pm. Al Bourj Avenue, Sharjah (06 569 4561).
Doha
Museum of Islamic Art: Even if you’ve no other business in the city, Doha’s number one cultural attraction is well worth the trip to the Qatari capital. The building itself, designed by Chinese-American architect IM Pei (the man behind the Louvre’s pyramid) is a sight to behold, especially when the many faces of the angular, cubist building are illuminated at night. Step inside and you’ll find works that span a staggering three centuries and 13 continents, many of which have been donated by Qatar’s royal family. Look out for The Book of Secrets, an 11th-Century manuscript believed to have been created by a Spanish engineer, containing intriguing diagrams of ancient clocks, calendars and more.
Free entry. Open Saturday-Thursday 10.30am-5.30pm, Friday 2pm-8pm. Closed Tuesday, Corniche, Doha Harbour (+974 4422 4444).
