Are you an art lover or an ardent gallery or museum frequenter? September will definitely grant you some great options to spend your free time, then. As usual, we have selected several fascinating shows taking place this month, so here are our top 10 exhibitions for you to check out.
1. Carpets of Eden, Gardens of Fantasy
Currently on view at the Leila Heller Gallery, this exhibition curated by Iranian artist Behrang Samadzadegan reimagines the traditional perception of carpets, transforming them from mere flat surfaces into sources of contemporary artistic inspiration. On display are stunning works by over 20 artists, including Maryam Al-Homaid, Josefina Concha, Melis Buyruk, and Shahzad Hassan Ghazi, to name a few. The show will be open to the public until 20 September 2024.
2. Chihuly: Four Decades of Iconic Work
The Leila Heller Gallery is hosting one more exhibition that is worth visiting. Titled Chihuly: Four Decades of Iconic Work, it displays art pieces by renowned American glass artist Dale Chihuly created from 1985–2023. The show celebrates his monumental installations alongside more intimate pieces. The exhibition welcomes all visitors until 20 September 2024.
3. In your dreams at Bayt AlMamzar
This collective exhibition housed by the Bayt Al Mamzar Gallery includes seven Iranian artists: Dorsa Asadi, Chupan Atashi, Gisou Golshani, Fatemeh Kazemi, Lilian Nejatpour, Niloofar Taatizadeh, and Maryam Tafakory. Curated by Yalda Bidshahri, the show blends traditional Iranian cultural elements with imaginative and provocative themes, offering fresh perspectives on identity and gender. The exhibition will remain open until 12 October 2024.
4. In the Footsteps of Ara Güler: Exploring the Photographer’s Legacy
Collaborating with the Ara Güler Museum (Turkey), Qatar Museums presents In the Footsteps of Ara Güler: Exploring the Photographer’s Legacy, an exhibition honouring famous photographer Ara Güler (1928-2018). Visitors can have a look at his iconic photographs of Istanbul, archaeological discoveries, and portraits of global figures, exploring his mastery in portraying Turkey’s essence and cultural heritage. The show will end on 9 November 2024.
5. The Limits of My Language Are the Limits of My World
The Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar is holding The Limits of My Language Are the Limits of My World, a captivating multimedia exhibition that delves into the Arabic language’s complexities, its influence, and its future, along with the challenges faced by Arabic media in a digital realm dominated by English. The show will be available to visit until 5 December 2024.
6. Ghizlane Agzenaï’s Solo Exhibition
On September 7, Volery Gallery will open Kaleidoscope, a debut exhibition by Moroccan artist Ghizlane Agzenaï presenting her collection of signature totems and abstract works. On view until 4 October 2024, the show will transport you into a dazzling world of metaphysical exploration and emotional expression, characterised by geometric shapes and radiant colours.
7. Aspects [مظاهر] by Alia Ahmad
Aspects [مظاهر], the first solo exhibition in the UAE by Saudi Arabian artist Alia Ahmad, will be presented by Lawrie Shabibi from 18 September to 22 October 2024. The exhibition will showcase Ahmad’s latest paintings and watercolours, offering a nuanced commentary on the coexistence of tradition and modernization in her home city of Riyadh. The works reflect a delicate balance between native flora and cultural art forms in one of the world’s fastest-growing urban landscapes.
8. The Errantries of Sarah Almehairi and Bernhard Buhmann
On 18 September, Carbon 12 will unveil The Errantries of Sarah Almehairi and Bernhard Buhmann, a duo exhibition showcasing works by Emirati artist Sarah Almehairi and Austrian artist Bernhard Buhmann. The show, which runs until 9 November 2024, will examine an unexpected synchronicity between the two artists’ creations, guiding viewers through familiar motifs to new discoveries and connections.
9. Astral Space Exploration: The Cosmic Renaissance
Another exhibition planned to be launched on 18 September is Astral Space Exploration: The Cosmic Renaissance. Hosted by Firetti Contemporary, it is a solo show by multidisciplinary artist and architect Kaikhan Salakhov whose work explores the intersection between science, art, and spirituality, using sacred geometry to illuminate deep cosmic truths. Open until 18 November 2024, the exhibition will showcase 36 hand-painted acrylic canvases merging scientific concepts with deep philosophical inquiries.
10. Roots and Modernity Exhibition: Contemporary Mediterranean Arab Art
18 September will also mark the launch of the Roots and Modernity: Contemporary Mediterranean Arab Art exhibition. Organised by the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts in partnership with the Sharjah Art Museum, the show will feature carefully selected art pieces from the gallery’s permanent collection. Exhibited will be 86 works (drawings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and prints) by 62 Arab artists from the southern and eastern Mediterranean. The show will continue until 24 November 2024.
In addition, you might be interested in visiting Artist’s Garden: Samur by Zheng Bo.
