Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art, has inaugurated Proximities, the largest exhibition of contemporary visual arts from the UAE ever presented in East Asia. The exhibition opened on December 15, 2025, in Seoul, marking a significant expansion of cultural exchange between the UAE and South Korea. As a result, the initiative positions visual arts as a strategic pillar within broader international cultural diplomacy.
Exhibition Scope and Institutional Framework
Proximities presents more than 110 works by 47 artists, including 33 Emirati artists, spanning photography, video, painting, sculpture, performance, and installation. The exhibition traces five decades of artistic development across three generations, highlighting how meaning evolves through geography, proximity, and shared narratives. According to His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, “The opening of the Proximities exhibition embodies the UAE’s vision to build bridges of international cooperation and deepen cultural ties with friendly nations, supporting artistic exchange and the shared development of resources within the cultural and creative industries.” He added, “This landmark exhibition enhances the UAE’s global presence through the largest showcase of contemporary art from the UAE in Korea and East Asia, featuring 47 UAE-based artists whose work reflects five decades of creativity and the authenticity and identity that define Emirati artistic expression.”
Her Excellency Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo stated, “Spanning photography, video, painting, sculpture, performance and installation, the Proximities exhibition traces shifts in meaning, understanding and cultural dialogue.” She further said, “In partnership with Seoul Museum of Art, the exhibition enhances artistic exchange between the UAE and Korea and strengthens the presence of Emirati artists on the global stage.” Meanwhile, His Excellency Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi noted, “This exhibition not only showcases the richness and diversity of Emirati visual arts, but also highlights the remarkable artistic journey that has unfolded over the past five decades.” He also said, “By organising this exhibition, we reaffirm the UAE’s unwavering commitment to fostering cultural dialogue and strengthening communication between artists in the UAE and the Republic of Korea.”
Curatorial Structure and Long-Term Outlook
Co-curated by Maya El Khalil and Eunju Kim, the exhibition unfolds through three thematic propositions developed with guest curators, including Farah Al Qasimi, Mohammed Kazem, Cristiana de Marchi, and the RRH artist trio. Each section presents a distinct curatorial lens, encouraging reflection, dialogue, and discovery across generations and disciplines. According to Choi Eunju, “This exhibition displays the most comprehensive presentation of Emirati contemporary art ever mounted in Korea.” She added, “We anticipate that this exchange will generate refreshing insights and inspiration across the artistic communities of both countries.”
On view until March 29, 2026, Proximities forms part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad programme and represents the second chapter of a three-year institutional collaboration between the two partners. Consequently, the project reinforces a long-term framework for co-curated exhibitions, artist residencies, commissioned works, and public programmes, aligning cultural production with sustained international engagement.