Emerging Artists Take Part in Abu Dhabi Art’s Initiative
Emirati artists Salmah Al Mansoori and Maktoum Marwan Al Maktoum, along with Libyan artist Alla Abdunabi, are the three creatives participating in this year’s Beyond Emerging Artists programme. This annual initiative, organized by Abu Dhabi Art, offers a platform for emerging artists based in the UAE to refine their artistic practices and create bold projects. The selected artists will unveil their new commissions at the upcoming Abu Dhabi Art fair, which will be held from November 19 to 23 at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
The programme is curated by Issam Kourbaj, a renowned Syrian artist whose work has been exhibited globally, including at the British Museum, Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, Amsterdam’s Tropenmuseum, and the Penn Museum in Philadelphia. Kourbaj chose the three artists for this year’s edition, emphasizing that their work spans installation, sculpture, and conceptual storytelling, exploring themes such as identity, memory, and the layered histories of place.
“It was challenging to select just three from among so many exciting emerging artists put forward,” Kourbaj said. “Like many creatives around the world, young artists in the region are directing their gaze towards excavating the present and engaging with urgent matters of our time, whether environmental, social or historical.”
Kourbaj also hinted that the artists will develop work inspired by Al Ain, both as a source and a canvas for new ideas. The artists themselves shared statements reflecting on how the garden city will serve as an anchor to their work.
Al Mansoori, a multidisciplinary artist who often documents forgotten places in her work, expressed her desire to “share stories from my hometown that are often overlooked.” Al Maktoum, on the other hand, is looking forward to “investigating the archaeological histories of our country in sites such as the ones found in Al Ain.” Abdunabi, meanwhile, aims to create “site-specific work that listens to the buried histories of the land.”
International Exposure for Emerging Artists
After the works are unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art, they will be featured in other events around the world. This global exposure is a key aspect of the Beyond Emerging Artists platform.
Last year’s cohort, which included Fatma Al Ali, Dina Nazmi Khorchid, and Simrin Mehra Agarwal, will be presenting their works at Sotheby’s Maison in Hong Kong this month, followed by an exhibition in London.
“We are proud to present the 2025 edition of Beyond Emerging Artists in Hong Kong for the very first time, marking an exciting milestone in the programme’s journey,” Afra Almteiri, acting unit head of Abu Dhabi Art Programmes, said. “This exhibition not only showcases the creativity and vision of emerging UAE-based artists but also builds a vital cultural bridge between the UAE and Hong Kong. It reflects our commitment to fostering dialogue, discovery and the global reach of contemporary art from our region.”
The Role of Cultural Exchange in Contemporary Art
The Beyond Emerging Artists programme highlights the growing importance of cultural exchange in the contemporary art scene. By providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work internationally, the initiative helps to elevate their profiles and connect them with a wider audience. This not only benefits the artists but also enriches the global art community by introducing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.
The selection of Al Ain as a central theme for this year’s programme underscores the significance of local heritage and history in shaping artistic expression. Through their work, the participating artists aim to explore the deep connections between place, memory, and identity, offering viewers a unique lens through which to understand the complexities of the region.
As the programme continues to expand its reach, it plays a crucial role in supporting the development of emerging talent and promoting cross-cultural dialogue. With each edition, the Beyond Emerging Artists initiative reinforces its commitment to nurturing creative voices and ensuring that their stories resonate beyond the borders of the UAE.
