A curated selection of art expressions to plan your month ahead…

With a brand new month comes brand new events to check out, and culture vultures, we’ve rounded up plenty to keep you busy in June.

Here are 6 cool cultural events to check out in the UAE this month.

Exhibition: Genius Loci

Discover the work of Kazakh artist Almagul Menlibayeva who, through a series of striking, fashion-style portraits, discusses environmental issues in her post-Soviet nation. The title comes from Roman mythology indicating a magical power, and there is certainly a sense of mysticism about this exhibition.

Andakulova Gallery, Unit 18, DIFC, Damac Park Towers, Dubai. Open all summer, Sat to Thur 11am to 7pm. Tel: (04) 3859897. andakulova.com

Exhibition: Collection of Undoings

In this group exhibition of artists from India, myriad subjects are tackled. From colonial histories to the ephemeral state of life, death and the surreal, they are all found in a poetic presentation well worth exploring. The show runs all summer and artists will be rotated every fortnight.

1×1 Art Gallery. Unit 10, Alserkal Avenue, Street 8, Al Quoz 1, Dubai. Sat to Thur 10am to 7pm. Tel: (04) 3411287. 1x1artgallery.com

Tour: Beyond the Fence

Drop in for a free 30-minute guided tour of this photographic exhibition by Jalal Bin Thaneya. The images depict a blend of landscape and industrial architecture, composed and structured, yet often captured in moments of chance.

Tashkeel, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai. Until June 11, Sat to Thur 10am to 5pm. Tel: (04) 3363313. tashkeel.org

Festival: Art Souq

This annual affordable art event targets new and young collectors, as it shows an array of artworks priced under Dh15,000. Offering postcards, original paintings, sculptures and more, this art market is an eye-opener to new audiences.

Etihad Modern Art Gallery, Al Bateen Area, Abu Dhabi. Sat to Thur 10am to 10pm. Tel: (02) 6210145. etihadmodernart.com

Screening: Swan Lake

Watch a recording of the four-act ballet of a reworking of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece Swan Lake, which is one of the most famous tragic romance stories in the world. Choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, the myth of the swandancer is refashioned for a contemporary age. Recorded at Opera Bastille in Paris, the show is screened with English subtitles.

Alliance Francaise, Street 18, Oud Metha, Dubai. June 25, 7.30pm. Tel: (04) 3358712. afdubai.org

Event: The Mobile Beach Library

A good read on a summer’s afternoon with the sounds of the sea lapping in the distance is a great way to relax. Head down to Sharjah’s beaches where you will find mobile libraries lending books of all genres for free.

Hamriyah Beach, Khor Fakkan Beach, Dibba Al Hosn Beach, Kalba Creek, Al Khan Beach, Sharjah Lagoon. June 15, sharjahwbc.com

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Images: provided 

Words: Anna Seaman. Anna is an arts and culture specialist in the UAE, and a regular contributor to What’s On. Find out more at annaseaman.com