After the initial edition captivated the UAE’s imagination, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation has brought back its “Portrait of a Nation” exhibition series.
The three-month show, which is on display at Manarat Al-Saadiyat until April 16, is an investigation of the UAE’s visual art scene’s development over the previous 50 years, throwing a light on the people, history, and stories that helped define the country’s creative landscape. The event is being hosted in connection with the 19th edition of the Abu Dhabi Festival and is themed “Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Creation, Innovation, and Joy.”
Maya El-Khalil and Roxane Zand organised “Portrait of a Nation,” which includes works by artists, curators, and gallerists who were born in the UAE or have made it their home, including the late artist Christo and his companion Jeanne-Claude.
The couple’s first visit to Abu Dhabi was in 1979, and their bond with the emirate dates back to that time. They’ve visited Abu Dhabi several times since then, forming a long-standing bond with the locals. As a result, “Portrait of a Nation” pays tribute to the late artists with a tribute that “highlights Christo’s pivotal role in nurturing young artists and his dedication to supporting creative talent in the UAE and around the world,” according to Huda Ibrahim Alkhamis, founder of ADMAF and artistic director of Abu Dhabi Festival.
“From the outset, the production of ‘Portrait of a Nation II: Beyond Narratives’ has been a process of approaches — to people, histories, and stories,” El-Khalil stated in a press release. Guests can also enjoy a variety of performances, presentations, and workshops that will be held during the event.
The showing of Emirati director and artist Nujoom AlGhanem’s short film “Passage,” commissioned by the National Pavilion UAE at the 2019 Venice Biennale and shot in the UAE and Italy, is another highlight. As part of the “Composers’ Platform” at the Abu Dhabi Festival, the Abu Dhabi Festival is also displaying its most recent record production in an installation.