421 Arts Campus Marks Anniversary with Exhibition Reflecting UAE's Art Evolution

Abu Dhabi's 421 Arts Campus is presenting the exhibition 'Rays, Ripples, Residue' to commemorate its tenth anniversary. The show examines the development of the United Arab Emirates' contemporary art scene through three distinct curatorial sections. Munira Al Sayegh's segment, 'Leading to the Middle,' highlights early foundational efforts and individuals, including artist and educator Tarek Al-Ghoussein and the artist-run space Bait 15, founded by Hashel Al Lamki, Afra Al Dhaheri, and Maitha Abdalla. Nadine Khalil's chapter, 'Ghosts of Arrival,' uses performance and restaging to reflect on past artist-led initiatives, featuring works like Hashel Al Lamki's 'Space Is Holy' series and Mona Ayyash and Nadine Ghandour's 'Partial Sea View_ Office Run.' The final section, 'SUN™,' curated by Murtaza Vali, explores themes of energy, consumption, and the environment through works such as Sa Tahanan Co.'s 'Liham Mula Sa Araw (Letters from the Sun)' and Raja’a Khalid's 'High Noon.' The exhibition runs until April 26, 2025, at the 421 Arts Campus in Abu Dhabi, offering a retrospective look at the informal networks and artistic processes that preceded the UAE's current institutional art landscape.