The art scene in the UAE is forever growing and there are dozens of thought-provoking exhibitions happening across the country that you definitely need to check out.
We’ve rounded up six of the most exciting artistic showcases running right now so you can embrace a bit of culture in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah this month.
Ishara Art Foundation
Exploring themes of changing cities, collective memory, the environment and public spaces, Ishara Art Foundation’s latest exhibition showcases 14 artists, photographers and collectives from as far afield as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Germany, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Singapore. Growing Like A Tree, which runs until Thursday May 20, is accompanied by physical and virtual tours, educational and public online programme, plus a lot more besides.
Free. Open Sat-Thu 10am-7pm. Until Thu May 20. Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, ishara.org (04 223 3001).
Louvre Abu Dhabi
This stunning gallery is undoubtedly a cultural masterpiece. Beneath the dome (an architectural wonder in its own right), you’ll find a collection of historical artefacts, works of art and changing exhibitions. Musée d’Orsay and the Bibliothèque nationale de France have lent a number of artworks to the museum including masterpieces by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. As if we needed another excuse to pay a visit to the Louvre…
Prices vary. Open Tue-Sun 10am-6.30pm. Saadiyat Island Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, louvreabudhabi.ae (600 565 566).
Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival
We have some good news for art fans here in the UAE – the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival has returned for its ninth edition. The annual creative celebration will be running until April 3 with the theme of hope (and after 2020, we could all do with a bit of that). Expect an awe-inspiring alfresco exhibition showcasing pieces from more than 100 local, regional, and international talents, alongside a special programme of both indoor and outdoor film screenings, workshops, guided tours, plus special collaborations with Art Dubai and The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi. Start curating that road trip playlist – a jaunt to Ras Al Khaimah is on the cards.
Free. Until Sat Apr 3. Ras Al Khaimah, rakfinearts.ae (07 233 8060).
Warehouse 421
This stunning space is finally open to the public again with a new look, new attractions and new exciting events including exhibitions, film screenings and a series of workshops. Highlights include Float, an exhibition from Filipina-Canadian artist Stephanie Comilang featuring two films that focus on the lives of overseas Filipino workers. Meanwhile the biennal 100/100: Hundred Best Arabic Posters competition is showcasing the leading work by graphic designers in the UAE and across the region. Finally, helping share a love of film with the public, Dubai’s Cinema Akil will be putting on screenings at the venue over the next few months. We don’t know about you but we can’t wait to check them out soon.
Prices vary. Open Tue-Sat 10am-8pm. Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, warehouse421.ae (02 676 8803).
For your up-to-the-minute guide to what’s happening in Dubai, head here. For Abu Dhabi click here and for Sharjah, click here.
