The Louvre Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille, has launched the fourth annual Art Here exhibition and competition, running from September 20 to December 15. This year’s edition, themed “Awakenings,” showcases the works of five Arab artists, selected from over 200 applicants, vying for a $60,000 prize.
The five featured artists—Sarah Almehairi, Lamya Gargash, Ferielle Doulain-Zouari, Moataz Nasr, and Nicene Kossentini—each offer unique interpretations of the theme. The winner, chosen by a jury, will be announced in December.
One of the standout works comes from Emirati artist Lamya Gargash, who transformed UAE sand into a giant beach ball sculpture titled Debutante Ball. Gargash’s inspiration came from a hurtful comment she received in her youth when someone referred to the UAE as merely a “giant sandbox.”
Reflecting on her art, Gargash said, “I consider it a response to something that I experienced years ago. A negative comment, a provocative comment that was pointed at me. And I took it to heart.” She added, “The theme ‘Awakenings’ speaks volumes about transience and finding your way. So for me, it is a rebirth. It’s a renaissance.”
Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr also delivered a deeply personal work inspired by Arab history. Leaving behind a career in economics to pursue his passion for art, Nasr’s piece Brides of the Sky focuses on women during the Mongolian invasion of Egypt.
Nasr, whose love for history influences his art, explained, “What I’m trying to do as an artist is bring a big loop, a magnified loop and put it on things that people can pass by without seeing and tell them: Look, this is your heritage.”
He hopes his work will spark reflection among viewers. “Maybe this is going to awaken something in them and make them understand something about themselves, about the history, the heritage,” Nasr added.
The Art Here exhibition continues to provide a platform for emerging Arab artists to display their talent and engage with the region’s rich cultural heritage.