Abu Dhabi Art, a much anticipated art fair organised under the patronage of HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council), is to run from November 22 to 26, 2023. The fair’s 15th edition will be held at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
The grandiose art event will bring together numerous galleries both local and from abroad. It will be divided into four sectors. The Modern & Contemporary sector will feature galleries which have been operating for 7+ years. Its focus will be on art pieces from the late XIX century onwards. The Special Projects sector will be for galleries which have been in operation for 3+ years. They will be able to present solo or two-artist shows. The Emerge section will be especially interesting to those looking for a couple of affordable artworks to buy. It will feature galleries presenting art pieces under USD 3, 000. The art fair will also have the Focus sector consisting of exhibitions by artists and galleries invited to take part in the event by guest curators.
This year, Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim has been selected as an artist for the event’s 15th edition visual campaign. His colourful artworks, in which he explores such themes as time and memory, will be used to promote the art fair globally. One of the pioneering Emirati art practitioners, he represented the Emirates at 59th Venice Biennale (International Art Exhibition) in 2022.
Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim’s art is mostly inspired by the landscape of Khorfakkan, a place where he was born and where he still resides. “[…] [His] contribution as our visual campaign artist sets the tone for Abu Dhabi Art 2023 […], as he has an extraordinary relationship to the landscape around him and to nature […],” Dyala Nusseibeh (Director of Abu Dhabi Art) said. “[…] Our visual campaign signposts the way for a fair that has taken root in the community in lasting ways.”
It is not the first time for Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim to be among Abu Dhabi Art’s participants. In 2017, he was commissioned to create a special work for the event’s exhibition Gateway; in 2018, it was he who became the curator of the Beyond: Emerging Artists programme. In 2020, the artist had a solo booth at the fair with the Lawrie Shabibi gallery representing him. “[…] Having personally participated in [Abu Dhabi Art’s] exhibitions since its inception and seen its growth […], I have always believed in its prominence and distinction,” Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim notes. He calls the art fair “a pillar of the local and international art community”.
Apart from hosting multiple exhibitions, Abu Dhabi Art will also offer visitors an array of talks, workshops, and other similar activities. The list of participating galleries, curators, and artists, as well as more details about the fair’s programme will be revealed soon.
To get more information about Abu Dhabi Art, please visit its official website.
You might also be interested in reading about the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative.
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