Abu Dhabi Art, organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, is hosting its Beyond Emerging Artists exhibition at Cromwell Place in London from 7 to 11 June as part of its year-long programme created to give a platform to emerging artists from the United Arab Emirates.
For its second London iteration, the exhibition showcases artworks by Abu Dhabi Art artists Sarah Almehairi, Majd Alloush, and Khalid, who were commissioned to create new works by Abu Dhabi Art as part of the annual programme. The London show this month marks the third year that Abu Dhabi Art has organised international exhibitions for Beyond Emerging Artists, with the first iteration taking place at Cromwell Place in 2021 and the second in Venice in 2022.
The Beyond Emerging Artists initiative invites local and international curators to work with UAE-based emerging artists in a year-round programme and develop their professional practice. Participating artists are provided with a budget and curatorial support to create ambitious new works that are exhibited through Abu Dhabi Art.
Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, said: “We are delighted to host Abu Dhabi Art’s Beyond exhibition in London this year, showcasing the exceptional talent of three emerging artists from the UAE. As an integral part of the year-long Abu Dhabi Art programme, we remain committed to promoting artists and nurturing UAE talent on an international scale. Rooted in a destination that deeply values its Emirati hospitality, heritage, and culture, Abu Dhabi Art provides an unparalleled platform to celebrate the region, its boundless creativity, and its profound appreciation for the arts. The London exhibition serves as a remarkable testament to Abu Dhabi Art’s significance as a vital platform for cultural exchange, empowering UAE talent to thrive in the vibrant art scene at the heart of the UK.”
His Excellency Mansoor Abulhoul, UAE Ambassador to the UK, said: “The event is a great opportunity to showcase the UAE’s ingenuity and creative flair cultivated by our world-renowned art institutions, enabling emerging artists to gain valuable international exposure. This builds on the UAE’s recent commitment to invest almost £4.8 billion (Dh22 billion) in arts and culture, including new and unique event spaces to showcase talent locally and from around the world.”
Khalid, Beyond Emerging Artist, said: “It is an honour to have a platform to showcase works coming from the UAE to a new environment. I am excited to have a completely different perspective of how one can view our works without having stepped foot in our landscape.”
In conjunction with Beyond Emerging Artists, Cromwell Place also hosted exhibitions by long time fair participant Galerie Isa, Janet Rady Fine Art and the Alfred Basbous Foundation, creating a special focus on the region through the diverse exhibitors in place. Abu Dhabi Art also partnered with the UAE Embassy in London Society to bring new audiences to discover the works by the three artists.
