Total Arts at the Courtyard is hosting The Year of Wilfred Thesiger, an exhibition showcasing fascinating photographs by Sir Wilfred Thesiger, one of the most acclaimed explorers of the 20th century. Organised in collaboration with Motivate Media Group and the Arabian Gallery, the show will remain open to the public until 4 February 2025.
Sir Wilfred Thesiger (b. 1910, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 2003), an alumnus of Eton College and Magdalen College (Oxford), felt a profound connection with the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the UAE. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, he traversed the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali), documenting it through photography and writing. These adventures took him deep into the desert, where he lived among the Bedouins and immersed himself in their traditions. The exhibition at Total Arts allows visitors to explore these extraordinary journeys, presenting photos that serve as striking visual narratives, artistic masterpieces, and deeply personal reflections on remote places.
His travel writings, including Arabian Sands (1959) and his autobiography A Life of My Choice (1987), remain pillars of travel literature. Other works, such as Desert, Marsh and Mountain (1979), introduced audiences to his outstanding photo archive. Thesiger’s contributions have earned him multiple accolades, and his photographic legacy continues to inspire, preserving the cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula for future generations.
Thesiger’s impressive body of work, which comprises more than 5,000 pictures, captures the people, landscapes, and Arabian traditions, offering a rare window into a disappearing, untamed world. His portraits of Bedouins and desert scenes are enduring records of the region’s beauty, resilience, and evolving way of life.
About Total Arts
Established in 1992, Total Arts is among Dubai’s pioneering art spaces and the first gallery in the Al Quoz Industrial area. Focusing on Middle Eastern art, the gallery is dedicated to discovering and promoting emerging artists while enriching the Emirati cultural landscape. Over the years, it has evolved into an interdisciplinary space for learning, collaboration, and creative experimentation.
In 1998, Total Arts relocated to The Courtyard, an art hub designed as a multidisciplinary community centre. Since then, it has hosted a wide range of cultural activities, further cementing its role as a vital part of Dubai’s creative scene.
To get more information about the exhibition, please go to its official web page.
Additionally, you might be interested in viewing twelve historical photo albums launched by Akkasah, a photo archive at NYU Abu Dhabi. We would also recommend that you visit Reflections & Inspirations from Emirati Heritage, a group exhibition at the Sharjah Heritage Museum.
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