October is here, and it has brought some exciting art events for all of you art buffs not to miss. We offer you to think about your next weekend plans in advance, so look through our monthly list of must-visit art events. Here are the top 10 exhibitions in October (and beyond) we find worth attending.
1. Quantum Storm Rainbow by Andrew Schoultz
You have two more days to go to Quantum Storm Rainbow, a solo show by American artist Andrew Schoultz being held at Volery Gallery in Dubai. In his works on view, Schoultz investigates the intricate interplay of weather, technology, and societal dynamics and presents it through a rich spectrum of tones and colours. The exhibition’s title reflects the multifaceted nature of the world: a landscape marked by challenges yet adorned with beauty and hope.
2. Reflections in Free Fall by Bashir Qonqar
Zawyeh Gallery presents an online exhibition Reflections in Free Fall by Palestinian artist Bashir Qonqar. Everyone is invited to explore the social tapestry of our existence and investigate the threads that hold individuals together within a society. The show will be on view 30 October 2023.
3. LOBI LOBI: Pascale Marthine Tayou
Until 28 January 2024, the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi is housing LOBI LOBI, a survey solo exhibition by Cameroonian artist and writer Pascale Marthine Tayou. Named after his poem LOBI LOBI, it delves into the paradoxes of consumer and material culture. One has the opportunity to admire Tayou’s distinctive art pieces in which he examines the scarcity and excess of resources in the contemporary landscape.
4. Lasting Impressions: Samia Halaby
Being held at Sharjah Art Museum, Lasting Impressions: Samia Halaby is an exhibition showcasing this renowned abstract Palestinian artist’s works (180 in total). It takes viewers through a journey of 60 years of Halaby’s work and gives them insight and details of each period and style. The show will be open to the public until 7 January 2024.
5. MORAL CODES by Josh Rowell
Firetti Contemporary in Dubai has arranged MORAL CODES, a solo exhibition by British artist Josh Rowell. It is dedicated to the exploration of the realms of ethics, communication, and the evolving digital landscape and allows a viewer to contemplate the moral codes shaping our society. On view until 7 November 2023, the show features Rowell’s famous series of works including Painting Language (inspired by Aesop’s fables), Virtually Fragile, and Mosaics.
6. Fatma Al Ali & Nika Neelova: Ephemeral Structures
NIKA Project Space in Dubai is staging Ephemeral Structures, a duo show by Emirati artist Fatma Al Ali and Nika Neelova based in the United Kingdom. Both delve into the interplay between art, materials, and the spatial environment. In their art, they redefine our understanding of space and its transformation by implementing architectural elements. The exhibition will run through 4 November 2023.
7. Group Exhibition Silent Hands at Hayy Jameel
Until 16 October 2023, Hayy Jameel in Jeddah is hosting Silent Hands, a group show including such artists as Pacita Abad (Philippine), Hangama Amiri (Afghanistan), Mohammed Kazem (UAE), Maha Malluh and Anhar Salem (Saudi Arabia), Khairullah Rahim (Singapore), and Aarti Sunder (India). The exhibition explores workspaces (both physical and virtual) and their intersections with gender, financial independence, social mobility, and migration.
8. The 6th Edition of Jameel Prize: Poetry to Politics
Meanwhile, Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai is holding Jameel Prize: Poetry to Politics, the 6th edition of the Jameel Prize that focuses on contemporary design inspired by Islamic tradition. The exhibition displays the artworks of the eight finalists: Ajlan Gharem (Saudi Arabia), Golnar Adili (USA), Hadeyeh Badri (UAE), Kallol Datta (India), Farah Fayyad (Lebanon), Sofia Karim (UK), Jana Traboulsi (Lebanon), and Bushra Waqas Khan (Pakistan). The last day of the show will be 7 January 2024.
9. Brushstrokes & Perspectives: A Journey Through Interconnected Passages of Non-Figurative Art
The Brushstrokes & Perspectives show displays art pieces by modern and contemporary artists deeply inspired by such art movements as Art Informel, Abstract Expressionism, and Kinetic art. Those participating in the exhibitions are Abdelkader Guermaz, Mahjoub Ben Bella, and Mohammed Khadda (Algeria); Asma M’Naouar and Hedi Turki (Tunisia); Chafic Abboud (Lebanon), Leopoldo Torres-Agüero (Argentina), and Nasser Assar (Iran). Being housed by Elmarsa Gallery in Dubai, the show will end on 28 October 2023.
10. Hayy Jameel: Accommodations
Accommodations is an experiential exhibition brought to Hayy Jameel by Art Jameel and the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission. It features architects Hussam Dakkak, Basmah Kaki, and Hessa AlBader of Studio Bound. The items on display (archival material, urban plans, architectural models, etc.) trace the history of shelters and allow one to explore how the built environment and urban fabric adapt to accommodate changing social conditions. The show will run through 16 October 2023.
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