Five Dubai art shows to catch before it's too late
It’s your last chance to catch our pick of this month’s best exhibitions in the city. Here are the five to see…
1. Parataxic Distortion
Until September 1
This exhibition by the Doha-based duo Christto & Andrew will have you rethinking the rules of portraiture. The young artists, Christto Sanz and Andrew Weir, have filled the East Wing gallery with their series of colourful photographs that play with the idea of traditional portraits, challenge common misconceptions about the Gulf and are also just fun, retro-style images with a big helping of sarcasm.
East Wing, Limestone House 12, DIFC, Ritz Carlton Annex, Dubai, Sat to Thur 10am to 8pm, free. Tel: (050) 5533879. Metro: Emirates Towers. east-wing.org
2. Domestic Affairs
Until September 8
This collection of artwork from a small group of Middle Eastern artists is all about lifting the lid on home and personal lives, exploring the ideas of family traditions and appearances. Textiles also play a big role; Emirati artist Khalid Al Banna, for example, uses scraps of cloth to create vibrant abstract pieces reflecting lost traditions of the UAE, while Zahra Imani’s art looks almost quilt-like.
Gallery Isabelle Van Den Eynde, Unit 17, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, Sat to Thur 10am to 7pm, free. Tel: (04) 3235052. Taxi: Alserkal Avenue. ivde.net
3. Home Ground
Until September 1
August is a quiet month for Dubai’s galleries, which makes it a great time to head to Sharjah and catch the last weeks of the Home Ground exhibit. It includes work from all sorts of artists under the theme of national identity and questioning the idea of home. There are paintings from the likes of Lebanon’s Mohamad Said Baalbaki, photos from contemporary Egyptian photographer Youssef Nabil and installations from Palestinian videographer Larissa Sansour.
Maraya Art Centre, Level Two, Al Qasba, Sharjah, Sat to Thur 10am to 10pm, Fri 4pm to 10pm, free. Tel: (06) 5566555. Taxi: Al Qasba Theatre. barjeelartfoundation.org
4. Seydou Keïta
Until September 1
Get an insight into a small moment in history with this exhibition by Malian photographer Seydou Keïta. The black and white photos show residents from Bamako, Mali, from 1948 to 1960 and, as each one was privately commissioned, they have a unique and personal feel. Comparing all the portraits, it’s fascinating to see all the different fashion trends, family dynamics and French colonial influences.
Leila Heller Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Dubai, Sat to Thur 10am to 7pm, free. Tel: (056) 8298026. Taxi: Alerkal Avenue. leilahellergallery.com
5. Vantage Point Sharjah
Until October 12
The Sharjah Art Foundation is holding its fourth annual exhibition, shining a light on and supporting the GCC’s photography talent. It’s invited artists of all levels and from across the region to submit pieces under the umbrella of self-portraiture. Expect to find some real varied work, each with their own unique personal twist.
Sharjah Art Foundation Art Spaces, Building GH, Al Mareija, Sharjah, Sat to Thur 9am to 9pm, Fri 4pm to 9pm, free. Tel: (06) 5685050. Taxi: Heritage area. sharjahart.org
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