Launched in November 2024, the 1st Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) as part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Initiative. Running through 30 April 2025, the Biennial transforms Abu Dhabi and Al Ain into stunning open-air galleries.
The Biennial examines the meaning of “public” in Abu Dhabi’s context, featuring works by over 70 local and international artists across eight routes. These installations encourage visitors to rediscover familiar landscapes or explore new ones through a creative lens.
Abu Dhabi Corniche Route is a one-hour walking trail including works by eight artists. Notable among them is Homesickness (2024) by Emirati artist and photographer Farah Al Qasimi. This sculptural and auditory installation celebrates the UAE’s pearl diving heritage, with five glowing pearl oysters emitting voices inspired by the Tob, Tob Ya Bahar traditional chant sung by the wives of pearl divers.
Architect Wael Al Awar also drew inspiration from the sea and local traditions to create Barzakh, a pavilion of 100 modular pieces crafted from recycled plastic, palm fibres, and brine: materials often dismissed as waste. The work emphasises sustainable local solutions to global ecological challenges.
Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal Route, a 30-minute walking experience, features installations by six artists, including Hussein Sharif (the UAE), Zeinab Alhashemi (the UAE), and Eko Nugroho (Indonesia). Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira presents Fitzcarraldo’s Dream, a massive piece made of discarded wood and resembling a toppled tree, which explores the tension between human ambition and nature.
One-hour Downtown Abu Dhabi Route showcases works by six creatives, such as Azza Al Qubaisi (the UAE), the SUPERFLEX art group (Denmark), and Nathan Coley (the UK), to name a few. Omani artist Radhika Khimji presents We trapped us in a frame, in the earth: Reflections on a surface, a mountainous landscape installation screen-printed onto canvas and mounted on a wooden billboard. The piece merges past, present, and future through mirrored reflections.
Carpet Souq Route, a 40-minute driving journey, reimagines the historic souq with works by such artists as Yeesookyung (South Korea), Christopher Joshua Benton (the USA), Eddie Clemens (New Zealand), and guBuyoBand (South Korea). Yeesookyung displays her work You Were There Abu Dhabi comprising two AI-inspired, gold-leafed 3D sculptures that symbolise spiritual transformation. The piece is accompanied by a video performance which features Korean singer Kim Tae Young and Emirati singer Saif Al Ali, blending Korean and Emirati music traditions.
Abu Dhabi Public Parks Route spans Urban Park, Formal Park, Lake Park, and Recreation Park, showcasing pieces by 12 artists, including Lawrence Abu Hamdan (Jordan), Kader Attia (France), and Seema Nusrat (Pakistan), among others.
National Theatre Route, a 30-minute drive which links Umm Al Emarat Park and the National Theatre, presents pieces by Afra Al Dhaheri (the UAE) and Kabir Mohanty (India).
Cultural Foundation Route is a 30-minute walk through art installations by 6 artists, such as Mohamed Al Astad (the UAE), Wael Shawky (Egypt), Mircea Cantor (Romania), and others, located in this cultural landmark.
Meanwhile, Al Ain Oasis Route, a 45-minute drive, encompasses Hili Archaeological Park and Al Jahili Fort and presents works by seven artists, such as Rawdha Al Ketbi and Latifa Saeed (the UAE), that merge history with contemporary art.
Throughout the Biennial, Community Hubs offer vibrant zones for relaxation and interaction, with home-grown F&B concepts, performances, pop-up shops, and activities for all ages. Situated at the Carpet Souq, Lake Park, Formal Park, Corniche Beach, and Urban Park, these hubs turn public spaces into lively cultural destinations, allowing visitors to explore Abu Dhabi’s rich creative landscape.
To learn more about Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, please go to its official website.
You might also be interested in viewing the Tarabot pavilion in Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park.
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