With an aim to promote Emirati artists, London’s Gallery hub Cromwell Place has joined hands with one of UAE’s biggest art fairs, Abu Dhabi Art, for an upcoming exhibition, that is due to take place next month.

It will be for the first time that Abu Dhabi Art show will be taking place in the English capital where works of artists Hind Mezaina, Afra Al-Dhaheri and Afra Al-Suwaidi will be on display. The show will be held at South Kensington during June 2 –13, 2021.

The works of these artists were created last year as part of the fair’s annual programme Beyond: Emerging Artists, which was adapted during the coronavirus pandemic and was curated by Maya El-Khalil.

 
The director of Abu Dhabi Art, Dyala Nusseibeh in a statement said, “Cromwell Place was a natural partner for our first exhibition abroad, as several of our gallery exhibitors at the fair are also members at Cromwell Place.”

The works of the artists speak of different sentiments. For instance, one of the featured artists Hind Mezaina shares that her work explores themes of collective memory and the notion of heritage while artist Al Dhaheri creates works using her own hair strands, exploring ‘identity formation’.

The collaboration between Abu Dhabi Art and Cromwell Place is aimed at highlighting the works of UAE artists at the London hub. Dubai-based Lawrie Shabibi Gallery will showcase the artworks by Emirati artist Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim. Dubai-based galleries The Third Line and Isabelle van den Eynde will present a selection of works by Middle Eastern artists Anuar Khalifi, Sara Naim, Sophia Al Maria, and Manal AlDowayan.

Cromwell Place, which opened late last year due to the pandemic, is situated across five Grade II-listed townhouses in South Kensington. The space has 14 gallery spaces including offices, viewing, and meeting rooms, storage and a large exhibition space which can be hired by members for between two to six weeks at a time.