Art_Africa_2016_03_

ARTAFRICA

have significant art fairs too. In March 2016 Art Dubai has its tenth edition, while

Abu Dhabi Art is preparing for the 8th edition in November 2016. Those interested

in design can enjoy different fairs and special events that complement the fine art

fairs in the recently inaugurated Dubai Design District.

Sharjah is also particularly active in art and culture, but with a very different profile.

Here the focus is not on mega-museums or the growing number of for-profit

galleries, rather on the strong network of museums and progressive exhibition

spaces of contemporary art. Sharjah Museums Department comprises of close to

twenty institutions, concentrating on all aspects of culture, art, heritage, nature and

innovation. Apart from these museums, the recently enlarged spaces of Sharjah Art

Foundation are also impressive venues. Regularly organised exhibitions of high-end

international artists, UAE-based masters and emerging talents are accompanied by

informative catalogues, conferences and tours. The President and Director of the

Foundation, Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi is also directing the Sharjah Biennale, one of

the leading events of its kind. Still in Sharjah, Maraya Art Centre is also very popular,

with shows dedicated to contemporary art and design – a focus on this latter is in

their newly opened institute, the 1971 Design Space on the Flag Island in Sharjah. In

addition, the Maraya Art Centre hosts the Barjeel Art Foundation whose main aim

is to manage and exhibit the private collection of Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, one of

the largest collections of contemporary Arab art.

The art scene in the UAE is much more diverse than it might seem at first glance.

Besides the aforementioned three emirates the other four (Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah,

Ajman and Umm al Quwain) also contribute with artistic, cultural and musical events.

The most inspiring feature is this multifaceted approach. As a result, the emirates

complement one another’s offerings, and the art-lovers, both those living in the UAE

or those visiting, can only benefit from this inspiring variety.

Dr. Zoltán Somhegyi is a Hungarian art historian, holding a Ph.D. in aesthetics.

Based in the United Arab Emirates and teaching at the University of Sharjah,

he is the Middle East Editor-at-Large of ART AFRICA.

HUB IN THE MAKING / DR. ZOLTÁN SOMHEGYI 5/5

FEATURE / HUB IN THE MAKING

Installation view of

Barjeel Art Foundation’s

exhibition ‘Walls and

Margins’, Image courtesy

of Barjeel Art Foundation.