Taking place from 28 February to 3 March 2024 at Madinat Jumeirah

Dubai Collection today announces the first details of Encounters, a new exhibition taking place at Art Dubai 2024. Curated by Alia Zaal Lootah, the exhibition will present a cross-generational lineup of Emirati artists in a show featuring 26 artworks, all drawn from Dubai Collection, which is the city’s first institutional collection of modern and contemporary art launched by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in partnership with Art Dubai Group and patrons who support the initiative through an innovative loan system.

Artists include: Hassan Sharif, Mohammed Kazem, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Abdul Qader Al Rais, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Afra Al Dhaheri, Maitha Abdallah, Hashel Al Lamki, and Sarah Almehairi.

Encounters derives its name from the notion that each of the showcased artworks will undergo a slightly different experience as they are placed in a new context in this exhibition. Previously confined to the private domains of individual collectors and institutions, be it their residences or workplaces, these artworks now find themselves in the public sphere, engaging in a dialogue with other pieces within the exhibition. The show is replete with unexpected encounters, exemplified by the juxtaposition of works by Sarah Almehairi and Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, creating an echo of artistic interplay. By allowing the essence of each artwork to emerge without imposing unnecessary interpretations, the exhibition encapsulates a simple yet profound concept centered around observation and appreciation.

Featuring a diverse lineup of artists from the United Arab Emirates spanning multiple generations, Encounters provides the opportunity to experience the sensation of collecting and curating a personal collection, encompassing various genres, artistic schools, and artists from different generations. The placement of these works together not only mirrors their presentation in private spaces but also reflects the exposure of UAE artists to a multitude of mediums and innovative modes of thought. Whether it be the avant-garde approach of Hassan Sharif, characterised by his practice of folding, or the experimentation of Shaikha Al Mazrou and Afra Al Dhaheri with traditional and industrial materials, the exhibition encapsulates these influences, forging new connections among the artworks on display.

Encounters will be presented at Art Dubai, the leading platform for art and artists from the Middle East and Global South. Reflecting the growing collector base within the UAE, and with a commitment to supporting scholarship and critical thinking, the exhibition will be supported by online commissioned essays by leading arts writers.

The Modern and Collector talks at Art Dubai are presented in partnership with Dubai Collection, in line with the initiative’s aim to bolster thought leadership with a focus on collecting practices and untold art histories. Highlights of the 2024 programme include sessions exploring the East-

East and South-South networks that were critical to the formation of modern art in the region, as well as a series of conversations with the collectors who are playing key roles in emerging cultural epicentres.

Muna Faisal Al Gurg, Chair of the Dubai Collection’s Curatorial Committee and CEO – Culture & Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: "Dubai Collection was created with the vision of building a collection that represents our communities in Dubai, and provides an opportunity for public engagement. The innovative loan system showcases the breadth and depth of collectors based in the UAE, and shines a light on long-held collecting practices of patrons in the region. This exhibition celebrates some of the UAE’s most prominent artists, through the lens of the patrons who have loaned their works. We are proud of initiatives like these as they underscore our commitment to cultural preservation, show precise awareness of artistic movements and the coming together of so many of us to build the art ecosystem of Dubai in pursuit of an emirate that is known as a global centre of culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent."

Alia Zaal Lootah, Curator of the exhibition, said “Encounters is a cross-generational exhibition showcasing the strength and depth of Emirati artists. As Art Dubai is a springboard for showcasing talent to a global audience, it was fitting that the exhibition takes place during this critical moment, and that it will weave together stories and present new encounters between the artists, the visitors and the patrons who have kindly loaned their works. The Dubai Collection is an important resource in documenting the growth of the UAE art scene, not only through showcasing works to the public through exhibitions such as this, but also through its Digital Museum, where it will reach even more people online.”

Benedetta Ghione, Art Dubai Group’s Executive Director, said: “We are pleased to support the presentation of Encounters, the latest Dubai Collection exhibition. At Art Dubai we are incredibly proud to platform and champion the very best artists from this region to a global public, and this exhibition is a real who’s who of the Emirati art scene, from the most established household names to the rising stars.”