Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are set to host a series of cultural events this season, highlighting diverse artistic expressions from around the world. From vibrant exhibitions at the Sharjah Art Foundation to the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation’s showcase in Abu Dhabi, these events will feature photography, abstract paintings, multimedia installations, and traditional Arabic calligraphy, bringing together local and international artists in celebration of creativity and culture.
Sharjah Art foundation cultural events:
Vantage Point Sharjah 12: If I Were Another
28 September 2024–8 December 2024
Vantage Point Sharjah (VPS) is an annual exhibition showcasing emerging photographers. The 12th edition, titled *If I Were Another*, features four artists selected from an international open call. Their works explore themes like displacement, ecology, and motherhood through diverse photographic methods, offering a platform for documentary and experimental approaches. Curated by Sara Al Mheiri.
Emily Karaka: Ka Awatea, A New Dawn
7 September 2024–1 December 2024
*Ka Awatea, A New Dawn* surveys the work of Senior Māori artist Emily Karaka, an abstract expressionist and colourist rooted in Māori rights and the Treaty of Waitangi. Her vibrant, large-scale paintings advocate for iwi justice and environmental care. This exhibition spans five decades of her career and includes new work. Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi and Megan Tamati-Quennell.
Bouchra Khalili: Between Circles and Constellations
7 September 2024–1 December 2024
*Between Circles and Constellations* explores Bouchra Khalili’s examination of hidden solidarities among transnational and stateless communities through her projects over the past 15 years. Her multimedia work, which blends personal and collective histories, emphasizes “radical citizenship”—a community beyond identity norms. Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi, the exhibition spans film, photography, print, and installation, highlighting global networks of solidarity.
William Kentridge: A Shadow of a Shadow
28 September 2024–8 December 2024
*A Shadow of a Shadow* surveys 17 of William Kentridge’s performances from the late 1980s to the present. Known for his theatrical, musical, and operatic projects, Kentridge’s work critiques South Africa’s social and political realities. The exhibition features drawings, stage props, and installations, emphasizing his use of shadow plays and political satire. Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi.
Antonio Dias: The Search for an Open Enigma
28 September 2024–8 December 2024
*The Search for an Open Enigma* showcases the work of Antonio Dias (1944–2018), an artist who pushed material and conceptual boundaries to address sociopolitical issues. Spanning from the 1960s to the late 1990s, the exhibition highlights his mixed-media works critiquing Brazil’s dictatorship and later explorations of conceptualism and abstraction. Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi.
Perform Sharjah
October 2024–January 2025
Sharjah Art Foundation’s performing arts season returns this October with a programme that engages with the city’s urban fabric, public spaces, heritage houses and theatres through a range of cross-disciplinary performances.
Sharjah Film Platform 7
15 November 2024 –24 November 2024
The seventh edition of the Sharjah Film Platform, the annual festival of independent and experimental filmmaking, returns this November. Featuring UAE premieres, the nominated films will compete in four categories: Best Fiction Feature, Best Fiction Short, Best Documentary Feature, and Best Documentary Short. The festival also includes a diverse screening programme, including the *Director in Focus* section, which honors influential regional filmmakers.
Focal Point 2024
22 November 2024 –24 November 2024
Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual art book fair highlights independent bookmaking globally, with a focus on regional publishers. It serves as a critical platform for knowledge-sharing and community building, showcasing works from artists’ presses, self-publishers, and non-commercial cultural producers who push the boundaries of publishing. The event also features talks, workshops, book launches, and signings.
Bassam Freiha Art Foundation Exhibition
14 October 2024 – 28 February 2025
The Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (BFAF) will unveil a remarkable series of exhibitions in Abu Dhabi, including *Hour Eternal*, which highlights two decades of Emirati abstract art. The gallery will also feature *Visions of the Orient* from H.E. Bassam Freiha’s collection and monumental sculptures by Anthony James and Tarek Elkassouf, exploring cultural identity and societal boundaries.
Dubai Culture promotes Arabic calligraphy through the Ornamentation and Gilding project
October 2024 -24 November 2024
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) offers workshops as part of its Arabic Calligraphy, Ornamentation, and Gilding project to nurture emerging talent. Hosted at Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children under the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale, the courses cover Ruq’ah, Thuluth, Naskh, Diwani Al Jali, and Ijaza scripts, taught by renowned calligraphers Abdul Razzaq Al Mahmoud, Musab Doori, Uday Alaraji, and Zaid Al Athamy.