Saudi galleries a hit at Abu Dhabi event

The sixth edition of Abu Dhabi Art Fair opened its doors last weekend to welcome artists, galleries, art professionals and visitors from around the world to be part of a program that takes the region’s cultural institutions to a whole new level of development. The two participating Saudi galleries, Ayyam Gallery and Athr Gallery, received much attention from both art collectors as well as connoisseurs of contemporary art in the Arab world.
Under the patronage of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the event took place in the heart of Saadiyat Island in the exhibition halls of Manarat Al-Saadiyat.
Running between Nov. 5-8, the event hosted various performances, programs and panel discussions.
This year, two Saudi galleries participated in the event to signify the creativity and innovation of seminal, mid-career and emerging artists.
Ayyam Gallery participated with six diverse artists, offering a preview of the gallery’s curated selection of modern and contemporary art through their recent developments in painting.
“Ayyam Gallery is pleased to announce its participation in the sixth edition of Abu Dhabi Art Fair, one of the Middle East’s premier art events. This forthcoming survey will explore the evolving formalism of geometric abstraction, neo-expressionism, and symbolism, which are currently defining regional art.”
Athr Gallery, which was participating for the third time in Abu Dhabi Art, represented six artists as well, featuring 15 pieces of artwork reflecting aesthetical, geometrical and spiritual patterns.
The Abu Dhabi Art Fair is an important milestone in both the Saudi galleries' artistic journey, where it highlights the works of both professional and emerging artists in a place that is considered one of the most important destinations of modern and contemporary art.
Most exhibitors in the region are keen to exhibit on such a distinctive platform, which allows them to showcase their artwork alongside the work of famous artists who have come from all over the world to witness an important event in the history of contemporary art.
The Saudi galleries focused on pre-modern forms such as Islamic art and traditional crafts.
Hazem Harb of the Athr Gallery displayed his first interpretation of Islamic geometric patterns through his Al-Baseera series.
"In this exhibition, I invited the viewer to look deeply and reflectively, to admire ‘art for arts sake’ and to immerse oneself in the series of paintings that celebrate the aesthetics of geometry. Here, there are no overarching themes of suffering. In contrast to works that explore human conditions of loss and oppression, in Al-Baseera, the visitor transcends the present to engage in a contemplative Sufi interpretation of geometrical abstraction,” said Harb.
For three consecutive years, Saudi galleries have proved that they are able to represent the Kingdom in the best way possible through their innovative and creative artworks.
Aya from Athr Gallery praised the efforts of the art fair organizers for "the great opportunity that allows us to prove the Kingdom’s position on such a remarkable platform."
“Abu Dhabi Art Fair is the perfect place for us to present our artists and display their works for the third year in a row,” she said.
She said the gallery will most certainly participate in the coming years’ editions. “Definitely, we will repeat the experience if we had the opportunity in the coming years. Such a great platform will be a great opportunity for us.”
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