Abu Dhabi: One of the most renowned art shows in the region, Abu Dhabi Art will feature its 2021 Edition of the Beyond: Emerging Artists program at the Palazzo Franchetti, Venice, Italy from the 20th of April to 22nd May 2022, coinciding with the Biennale Arte 2022.
The Beyond: Emerging Artists Initiative will highlight commissioned artists Mr. Christopher Joshua Benton, Ms. Maitha Abdalla and Mr. Hashel Al Lamki, who were supported by guest curators Mr. Sam Bardaouil and Mr. Till Fellrath, co-founders of multidisciplinary curatorial platform Art Reoriented.
The Initiative encourages local and international curators to work with UAE-based emerging artists of their choosing in a year-round program, enabling and supporting the artists to hone their skills and develop their professional practice.
Participating artists are provided with a budget and curatorial support to create ambitious new works that are exhibited through Abu Dhabi Art.
Abu Dhabi Art has always been committed to nurturing artists, enabling them to develop their practice and providing opportunities that can support them professionally and expand audiences for their work. Our annual program Beyond: Emerging Artists, was, in 2021, funded through the newly launched cultural philanthropy initiative Friends of Abu Dhabi Art, whose support gave our UAE-based emerging artists an unparalleled international platform. Now expanding beyond the UAE, we are delighted to bring global attention to the works of Christopher Joshua Benton, Maitha Abdalla and Hashel Al Lamki in Venice this year.
Ms. Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art, remarked on the occasion.
Exposure at Palazzo Franchetti will be the second international exhibition for Abu Dhabi Art, building on the success of the fair’s collaboration with London’s Cromwell Place in 2021, where it extended its 2020 Beyond: Emerging Artists program to the UK.
La Biennale di Venezia is a perfect platform for these young artists to engage with art world professionals, collectors, art-lovers and fellow artists.
I’m honored to showcase Neptune in Venice this year at a moment that coincides with the Venice Biennale. This body of work was recently exhibited at the Abu Dhabi Art fair under the fair’s Beyond: Emerging Artists 2021 program, curated by Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath. Neptune celebrates the various colors and textures of Abu Dhabi. I’m very pleased that the journey of this body of work can extend and reach a new audience that might engage with it critically and offer up new readings and dialogues surrounding it.
Mr. Hashel Al Lamki observed about his trip to Venice.
Abu Dhabi Art is expected to return to Manarat Al Saadiyat from the 16th to 20th of November 2022.