BFAF to host series of Emirati art, sculpture exhibitions

ABU DHABI / AD MEDIA OFFICE

The Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (BFAF) will open a series of new exhibitions from October 14 2024 until February 16 2025, at Saadiyat Cultural District, Abu Dhabi, exploring Emirati abstract art, the Orientalist movement, and monumental sculptures by renowned artist Anthony James. Visitors will be able to explore the four exhibitions, held across the Main Gallery, Annex Gallery and Sculpture Garden, and attend events as part of the supporting educational programme from October 14 2024.
The exhibitions include Hour Eternal — Emirati Abstraction, which is curated by Dr Michaela Watrelot. The exhibition will feature 14 Emirati artists who have played a role in shaping contemporary art in the Emirates, with works on loan from the Ministry of Culture, artists’ studios and galleries, and private collectors.
Hour Eternal will offer an overview of the transformation of abstract art. The pieces chosen for display aim to reflect on time’s fleeting and everlasting duality. The works on display will feature pieces by Hassan Sharif and his brother Hussain, Mohammed Kazem, and Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim. Other artists with works on display include Abdul Qader Al Rais, Mona Al Khaja, and Salma Al Marri, as well as other prominent artists.
Dr Michaela Watrelot, Curator at BFAF, said: “Over the past 20 years, there have been rapid changes to the UAE’s cultural and physical landscape, and pioneering artists such as Hassan Sharif and the Five played a significant role in pioneering the use of abstraction as a way to explore the impact of this on the nation’s identity.”
“To be able to display their works alongside other key figures experimenting with geometry, calligraphy and architecture within the realms of abstraction is monumental, and this would not be possible without the support of the UAE Ministry of Culture, Barjeel Art Foundation, as well as the artists, collectors and galleries who have loaned pieces to Bassam Freiha Art Foundation. I am grateful for their contributions to Hour Eternal, and I look forward to sharing these pieces with the public from October.” A selection of works from the private collection of Bassam Said Freiha, the art foundation’s founder, will also go on display, including paintings from notable artists Rudolphe Ernst, Léon Comerre, Paul Leroy and Fabio Fabbi.
In the Annex Gallery, Tarek Elkassouf will present Boundaries exhibition, a series of 29 limestone sculptures adorned with 22-carat gold, as well as the linked exhibition Lines from Letters.
BFAF’s Sculpture Garden will also feature two sculptures from artist Anthony James, who is the first and only visual artist to have work exhibited on all seven continents. James’ work is currently on display at galleries in Aspen, Beverly Hills, Singapore, Dubai, London, and New York. From October, BFAF will continue its educational programming to run alongside the new exhibition with support from the Art Foundation’s newly appointed Art Educator and Curatorial Liaison, Emilie Dubois. The programmes will include a series of artist-led workshops, art talks and lectures.