Ithra is hosting the first major Saudi exhibition for the work of Lebanese artist Etel Adnan. Photo: Arab American National Museum
Ithra is hosting the first major Saudi exhibition for the work of Lebanese artist Etel Adnan. Photo: Arab American National Museum
Ithra is hosting the first major Saudi exhibition for the work of Lebanese artist Etel Adnan. Photo: Arab American National Museum
Ithra is hosting the first major Saudi exhibition for the work of Lebanese artist Etel Adnan. Photo: Arab American National Museum

Top art exhibitions in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to see this spring


Melissa Gronlund
  • English
  • Arabic

As the calendar ticked over to 2024, art institutions in the Gulf began setting the stage for some of their best exhibitions of the year.

The UAE will host Art Dubai and March Art Week, while Saudi Arabia has a growing fixture of events anchored by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation as well as exhibitions and biennials staged in AlUla.

Here is a mix of blockbuster shows and calmer retrospectives to catch in the coming months.

Being Borrowed: On Egyptian Migration to the Gulf

Location: NYUAD Project Space, Abu Dhabi

Date: Until February 7

A photograph from Tasneem Gad's archival project This Memory Does Not Exist (2022) taken by her father. Photo: Tasneem Gad
A photograph from Tasneem Gad's archival project This Memory Does Not Exist (2022) taken by her father. Photo: Tasneem Gad

This show, which originated in Cairo in 2022, looks at the years of migration of Egyptians to the Gulf. Curators Farah Hallaba, Farida Youssef and Ali Zaaray have brought together 22 artists to explore ideas around identity, home and host country, looking at the generations of Egyptians who have been raised in Abu Dhabi, as well as those who remained in Egypt.

The exhibition draws on research supported by the NYUAD programme Al Mashhad and on the work of NYUAD professor Laure Assaf.

Sheher, Prakriti, Devi

Location: Ishara, Dubai

Date: Until June 1

Ladhki Devi's Dasha Devi (2020-21) is an example of Warli, an Indian tribal art. Photo: Ladhki Devi / Ishara
Ladhki Devi's Dasha Devi (2020-21) is an example of Warli, an Indian tribal art. Photo: Ladhki Devi / Ishara

Curated by the New Delhi photographer Gauri Gill, this exhibition explores the relationship between the environment – both urban and rural – and the sacred.

Gill invited 12 artists and collectives, mainly from South Asia, to think about how everyday built environments can offer portals to other worlds, whether through devotional drawings by artists such as Ladhki Devi or by paying attention to how animals make their own homes in urban settings.

Featuring artists Mariam Suhail, Meera Mukherjee and Shefalee Jain, the show was curated in dialogue with Ishara director Sabih Ahmed.

Etel Adnan Exhibition

Location: Ithra – King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

Date: February 2-June 29

Lebanese-American poet Etel Adnan. Photo: Fabrice Gibert
Lebanese-American poet Etel Adnan. Photo: Fabrice Gibert

Ithra, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, is hosting the first major retrospective of the Lebanese-American artist Etel Adnan in the kingdom.

Curated by Sebastien Delot from the Musee National Picasso-Paris, the exhibition will be one of the most comprehensive to date of the artist, who died aged 96 in 2021. Featuring more than forty of her works, the retrospective will include paintings, written work, artists’ books (or leporellos), tapestries and ceramics, made over the course of her long career.

Vikram Divecha: Short Circuits

Location: Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai

Date: February 1-June 16

Vikram Divecha, Fee Transfer (2017), maps the flows of money. Photo: Vikram Divecha / Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde
Vikram Divecha, Fee Transfer (2017), maps the flows of money. Photo: Vikram Divecha / Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde

The Jameel Arts Centre presents the first survey show of the artist Vikram Divecha, who moved to Dubai in 2005 and is now one of the UAE’s most established artists. Curated by Dawn Ross and Lucas Morin, the Jameel show will look at Divecha’s work since 2013, focusing on his investigations of the different social and built systems around us.

Desert X AlUla: In the Presence of Absence

Location: AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Date: February 9-March 23

Serge Attukwei Clottey's Gold Falls, one of the commissions from Desert X AlUla 2022. Photo: Lance Gerber / Royal Commission for AlUla
Serge Attukwei Clottey's Gold Falls, one of the commissions from Desert X AlUla 2022. Photo: Lance Gerber / Royal Commission for AlUla

Desert X AlUla is a temporary exhibition of works installed in north-west Saudi Arabia, with commissions by international, regional and Saudi artists around the themes of the imperceptible and hidden.

The exhibition, now in its third year and a sister to the original Desert X event in the Californian desert, was the first to bring contemporary artworks to the tourist and cultural site AlUla.

This year’s programme is curated by Maya El Khalil, an eminent figure in the region, and Marcello Dantas, the Brazilian documentary filmmaker. Having moved to a new site, it will be housed in venues such as the mountain of Harrat Uwayrid and the former AlManshiyah Railway Station.

Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale: After Rain

Location: Jax District, Riyadh

Date: February 20-May 24

Emirati artist Hassan Sharif will be included in the next Diriyah biennial. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National
Emirati artist Hassan Sharif will be included in the next Diriyah biennial. Photo: Antonie Robertson / The National

The second Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale will explore the relationship between humans and the environment.

Led by the well-known Ute Meta Bauer – who was the founding director of the Office for Contemporary Art in Oslo and subsequently the Centre for Contemporary Art in Singapore (which she still heads) – the exhibition takes in feminism, ecology and complex historical narratives.

The show will bring 85 Saudi and international artists to Riyadh’s new Jax district, where the Diriyah Biennale Foundation has erected its permanent buildings. Artists include the late Emirati artist Hassan Sharif, the pioneering US feminist artist Joan Jonas, as well as Safeya Binzagr, known as the mother of Saudi art.

Lala Rukh: In the Round

Location: Sharjah Art Foundation, Al Mureijah Art Spaces

Date: February 24-June 16

An image from Lala Rukh's series River in an ocean (1993). Photo: Estate of Lala Rukh / Grey Noise, Dubai
An image from Lala Rukh's series River in an ocean (1993). Photo: Estate of Lala Rukh / Grey Noise, Dubai

Late artist Lala Rukh from Lahore was a major minimalist artist and feminist organiser, who expanded the impact of both these practices through her long-standing work in education.

Now, the Sharjah Art Foundation will survey her career via more than 50 drawings, prints, photographs, videos and animations. Put together by SAF’s director Hoor Al Qasimi and Natasha Ginwala, one of curators of the next Sharjah Biennial, the exhibition features both Rukh’s careful, exacting works on paper and how they contrast with the directness of her political work.

Inspired by music as much as the rhythms of water and the moon, her work will be fully explored for the first time in this retrospective.

Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card

5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
6pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed; Dh180,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 2,200m
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Second Test

In Dubai

Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)

Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES

All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated

Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona

65
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EScott%20Beck%2C%20Bryan%20Woods%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdam%20Driver%2C%20Ariana%20Greenblatt%2C%20Chloe%20Coleman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

Syria squad

Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.

The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV

Power: 360bhp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh282,870

On sale: now

'Operation Mincemeat' 

Director: John Madden 

 

Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton

 

Rating: 4/5

 
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETerra%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hussam%20Zammar%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mobility%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%20funding%20of%20%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIXTURES

All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Friday
Sevilla v Levante (midnight)

Saturday
Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad (7.15pm)
Eibar v Valencia (9.30pm)
Atletico Madrid v Alaves (11.45pm)

Sunday
Girona v Getafe (3pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7.15pm)
Las Palmas v Espanyol (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Deportivo la Coruna (11.45pm)

Monday
Malaga v Real Betis (midnight)

La Mer lowdown

La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet

Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Twin%20electric%20motors%20and%20105kWh%20battery%20pack%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E619hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C015Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUp%20to%20561km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQ3%20or%20Q4%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh635%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

THE SPECS

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 523hp

Torque: 750Nm

Price: Dh469,000

Major honours

ARSENAL

  • FA Cup - 2005

BARCELONA

  • La Liga - 2013
  • Copa del Rey - 2012
  • Fifa Club World Cup - 2011

CHELSEA

  • Premier League - 2015, 2017
  • FA Cup - 2018
  • League Cup - 2015

SPAIN

  • World Cup - 2010
  • European Championship - 2008, 2012
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)

Saturday

Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)

Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)

Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)

Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)

Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (9.30pm)

Sunday

Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)

SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)

The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity

Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Omar%20Hilal%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Muhammad%20Farrag%2C%20Bayoumi%20Fouad%2C%20Nelly%20Karim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO

Quarter-finals

Saturday (all times UAE)

England v Australia, 11.15am 
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm

Sunday

Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm

Hot%20Seat
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20James%20Cullen%20Bressack%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Mel%20Gibson%2C%20Kevin%20Dillon%2C%20Shannen%20Doherty%2C%20Sam%20Asghari%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%201%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history

4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon

- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.

50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater

1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.  

1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.

1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.

-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.

Updated: January 26, 2024, 4:28 AM`