We all agree that doing anything outside in the scorching sun (going to the Al Madam Village, for instance) now does not sound tempting, but why not wait out the heat in a gallery or museum? Here is our list of the top 10 exhibitions in the region taking place in July 2024, so feel free to choose one or two to attend on your days off.
Firetti Contemporary & Moser: Celebrating Art, Traditions and Craftsmanship
On view until 4 July 2024, this exhibit staged by Firetti Contemporary in collaboration with Moser, a renowned glassmaking firm, showcases an exclusive selection of Moser’s historical creations alongside new pieces inspired by Emirati artist Salmah Al Mansoori’s works. The exhibition also features her watercolour series titled I Reminisce in Colours portraying the landscapes of Ghayathi, a city that has influenced Al Mansoori’s identity.
What Have You Done by Kusay Bader
Meanwhile, Artbooth Gallery in Abu Dhabi is holding What Have You Done, a solo exhibition by Syrian artist Kusay Bader displaying his expressive abstract paintings. It invites visitors to explore humanity’s complex relationship with nature and contemplate the profound impact of human actions on our planet’s ecosystems. The show will be open to the public until 14 July 2024.
From Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine: Travelling through Fables
Organised by Louvre Abu Dhabi in partnership with Bibliothèque nationale de France and France Muséums, this exhibition allows visitors to immerse themselves into the world of animal tales. On display are 132+ works (rare manuscripts, paintings, contemporary pieces, and more) unveiling narratives of friendship, loyalty, cunning, and morality as portrayed through anthropomorphic animal characters. The show will end on 21 July 2024.
Whispers of Legends by Leila Eskandari
Zawyeh Gallery in Dubai is now home to Whispers of Legends, a solo exhibition by Iranian artist Leila Eskandari which explores the power of stories to traverse temporal, geographical, and cultural boundaries. It presents Eskandari’s latest series of paintings inspired by the Shahnameh (the Book of Kings), an epic poem by the Persian writer Abolqasem Ferdowsi. It is a compendium of Iranian myths, legends, and historical episodes. The show will run through 28 July 2024.
Arab Design Now at M7
Hosted by the M7 art centre, Arab Design Now is the central exhibition of the Design Doha biennial that presents the work of 74 designers and collectives from the MENA region. Exhibited are 38 commissioned pieces that draw from the regional arts heritage and natural resources, spanning installations at an architectural scale, furniture, ornaments, and graphic design. The show will remain open until 5 August 2024.
Shahid by Khalid Albaih
Shahid (Arabic for witness) is an interactive audiovisual installation created by Sudanese artist and political cartoonist Khalid Albaih. Comprising four printed digital illustrations displayed on a mirror, the artwork offers visitors to contemplate their role as witnesses to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The installation is on display at Mathaf and will be available for viewing until 10 August 2024.
Artist’s Rooms: Taysir Batniji
As part of its Artist’s Rooms initiative, Jameel Arts Centre is exhibiting Hannoun, a site-specific installation by Palestinian artist Taysir Batniji, until 18 August 2024. Hannoun features a room of the same size as the artist’s studio in Gaza; its floor is covered with red pencil shavings that resemble poppies, a national symbol of Palestine often associated with the memory of martyrs. This installation follows Batniji’s several projects that evoke notions of memory, erasure, non-being, and destruction/construction or deconstruction/restitution.
The Noble Hilya Exhibition
This exhibition hosted by the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum unveils the journey of the Noble Hilya masterpiece created by Hafiz Othman in the 13th AH/19th AD century. This artwork that vividly portrays Prophet Muhammad’s features and attributes inspired multiple Islamic calligraphers to follow in Othman’s footsteps while maintaining the work’s essence. The Noble Hilya exhibit, through 18 August 2024, includes diverse pieces by renowned calligraphers such as Mohammad al Nuri, Abdulnasser al Masri, and Ayman Mohammad, to name a few.
Ziena Splendor of the Indian Courts
This captivating exhibit organised by Sharjah Museums Authority in partnership with Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah was held at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization earlier this year and is currently available online. The show celebrates the culture of the Indian Subcontinent and explores the influence of Islamic art on Indian artisans. Until 31 December 2024, one is welcome to look at 84 rare art objects that spotlight India’s artistic achievements and the artistic craftsmanship of the country’s jewellers.
Hayy Jameel Façade Commission: The Cell by Zahrah Alghamdi
The annual Hayy Jameel Façade Commission allows Saudi and Saudi-based artists to win the opportunity to create public artwork on the front of the Hayy Jameel building. Until 1 September 2024, you can see The Cell, Saudi Arabian Zahrah Alghamdi’s proposal selected for the latest edition of the programme. It is a sculptural piece inspired by the history and mythology of clay. The work speaks to the common origins and the shared histories of humanity across time and symbolises both the individual and the collective.
In addition, you might be interested in visiting A Mirror In My Pocket by Fazal Rizvi and Between Days by An Hoang.
