Set beneath the museum’s iconic dome, ‘Art Here’ 2024 will showcase five sculptures and installations shortlisted for the 2024 Richard Mille Art Prize. The exhibition draws focus on the region’s artistic landscape by empowering local and regional artists with a global platform to amplify their voices. This year, Louvre Abu Dhabi, along with guest curator Simon Njami, invited artists to respond to three key concepts echoed in the museum’s three official languages: Awakenings (in English), Overtures (which translates to “Openings” in French), and آفاق ( which translates to “Horizons” in Arabic). Featuring shortlisted artists from the GCC and North Africa, the collaboration highlights the region’s passion for sparking cultural conversations and fresh ideas, flaunting a diverse mix of artworks.
The jury for this year’s edition comprises of esteemed figures from diverse realms of the cultural sphere, each infusing the selection process with their distinctive insights. Returning to the jury are distinguished personalities such as His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Chairman of UAE Unlimited, an art collector, and a patron of the Centre Pompidou, the British Museum, and Sharjah Art Foundation. He is joined by Guilhem André, Scientific Curatorial and Collection Management Director at Louvre Abu Dhabi, a seasoned museum professional and art historian. New jury members include Simon Njami, independent curator, lecturer, art critic, and novelist who has curated numerous international exhibitions spotlighting African and non-Western contemporary artists; Nujoom Alghanem, an Emirati poet, artist, and multi-award-winning filmdirector; and Maya Allison, the founding Director of the Art Gallery and Chief Curator at New York University Abu Dhabi.
In a splendid celebration of creativity, five visionary artists hailing from the UAE, Tunisia, and Egypt have been chosen from over 230 submissions to grace the 2024 ‘Art Here’ exhibition.
Franco-Tunisian artist Férielle Doulain-Zouari’s‘Tilling the Soil’ is a multi-dimensional exploration of memory and landscape through installations, sculptures, and weavings. Her work captures sensory details and the interplay between natural and artificial realms, revealing how personal and environmental elements intersect and evolve over time.
Emirati artist Lamya Gargash’s ‘Debutante Ball’ transforms UAE sand into a 2-meter beach ball sculpture, profoundly exploring Arab identity and cultural heritage through the symbolism of sand. This art piece challenges stereotypes, encourages dialogue, and embodies the warmth and hospitality central to Arab culture, using interactive art to foster curiosity and change perceptions.
Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr explores themes of bravery and resilience through ‘The Brides of the Sky’, reimagining historical cresting structures that symbolize women’s courage during times of conflict. This installation bridges past and present, reflecting on the strength of women.
Tunisian artist Nicène Kossentini’s work ‘Landscapes’ is a poetic exploration of disappearance through the slow alteration of landscapes beneath translucent wax. This installation invites viewers to contemplate the subtle, often invisible transformations of life and environment, reflecting on the fragility and impact of human actions with a sense of “gentle violence.”
Sarah Almehairi, an Emirati artist from Abu Dhabi, presents ‘Shared Motion,’ which explores the movement within stillness by showcasing the word “wind” in Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, and Urdu. Through this work, Almehairi highlights the intricate interplay of language, culture, and history, offering a new perspective on the region’s ongoing evolution.
The winner of the Richard Mille Art Prize will be announced at a ceremony in December 2024 and awarded USD 60,000.
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