May is going to be another great month for art enthusiasts in the Gulf region, and we are sure that you will see it for yourself after looking through our usual top 10 exhibitions to explore in May. Get ready to dive into all the creativity that the region has to offer!
1. World Art Dubai 2024
Collaborating with Dubai Culture, World Art Dubai (WAD), the region’s biggest art fair, is to take place at World Trade Centre from the 2nd to the 5th of May, 2024. Spanning 6,000 sqm of exhibition space, the 10th iteration of the fair will present a plethora of diverse art pieces from across the globe which range from $100 to $20,000. The event will also feature new segments, including WAD Tourism Art Tour that offers exhibitors a captivating journey of the Emirates’ art and cultural tapestry.
2. Over the Slopes of Speech by Katya Muromtseva
Presented by Nika Project Space, this solo exhibition by New York-based artist Katya Muromtseva, who is famous for her socially engaged practice, features her latest large-scale watercolour paintings. These are created after interviews with women immigrants, connecting to their various narratives and histories. The show will run through 4 May 2024.
3. Consecrated Networks by Basmah Felemban
ATHR Gallery is holding Consecrated Networks, a solo show by Saudi artist Basmah Felemban interested in symbolism and Islamic metaphysics. It displays a backlog of documentation, experimentation, and supporting material that built her portfolio of multimedia works. The show presents Felemban’s interpretation of the role of archives in the future. It will be available for viewing until 14 May 2024.
4. Be Fekret Hastam by Naz Shahrokh
This exhibition housed by XVA Gallery showcases conceptual Iranian-born artist Naz Shahrokh’s creations: from upcycled sculptural objects to site-specific installations and embroidered pieces. In her work closely aligned with research, the artist explores common challenges found within the environment. The show will be on view until 19 May 2024.
5. Berber Jewellery Collection from the Royal Palace
This exhibition organised by the National Foundation of Museums of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) showcases historical and culturally significant objects from Morocco’s Oudayas (National Museum of Adornment in Rabat). On display at MIA until 20 May 2024, it explores the regional traits of key jewellery production centres in Morocco and reflects the country’s rich heritage.
6. An Ode to Intertwined Histories by Rachid Koraïchi
Currently, you have the opportunity to explore An Ode to Intertwined Histories, Algerian artist Rachid Koraïchi’s solo show featuring his most important art pieces. Held at Elmarsa Gallery, it combines the visual dimension with the reading of texts by great poets and writers (Rûmî, Ibn Arabi, and others) which the artist often cites in his practice. The show will end on 25 May 2024.
7. Zhivago Duncan: The Rare But Known Phenomenon
Until 25 May 2024, Meem Gallery is hosting The Rare But Known Phenomenon, a monographic exhibition by contemporary artist Zhivago Duncan which displays a series of his new paintings executed in soft and delicate colours. According to the artist, within this collection, he has tried to distil the complexity of ideas and images into a meditative practice reflecting the cycles of nature typically devoid of philosophical interpretation.
8. The Fifth Wife at Firetti Contemporary
The Fifth Wife is a collective exhibition taking place at the Firetti Contemporary gallery. It includes seven artists: Aidha Badr, ARE, Ghaleb Hawila, Jason Seife, Khalid Zahid, Salmah Al-Mansoori, and Sawsan Al Bahar. The participants delve into the mythology of where all folklore tales unfold, celebrating the majesty of the majlis tradition. One will be able to attend the exhibit until 26 May 2024.
9. Living in a Burning House by Amir Khojasteh
Until 28 May 2024, esteemed Iranian artist Amir Khojasteh is heading his solo exhibition at the CARBON 12 gallery. One can look at his bronze sculptures and paintings blooming with visual energy. Through these works, the artist invites his audience to think about the never-ending state of “living in a burning house”, where every painting is a reflection of self or a commentary on the absurdity of existence.
10. Platforms and Patterns for a Postcolonial Avant-Garde
Collaborating with Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Sharjah Art Foundation and Tate St Ives has organised The Casablanca Art School (CAS): Platforms and Patterns for a Postcolonial Avant-Garde (1962–1987). This group exhibition displays diverse works by 21 artists from CAS, a school that fomented an artistic revolution after Moroccan independence in 1956. The show will be open to the public until 16 June 2024.
Additionally, you might also be interested in visiting Charts for a Resurrection by Dima Srouji at the Lawrie Shabibi gallery.
