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Sharjah Biennial 8 Explores Ecology Beyond Environment

festival-fair · 2026-04-23

The 8th Sharjah Biennial, titled 'Still Life: Art, Ecology and the Politics of Change,' is scheduled to take place from April 4 to June 4, 2007, in Sharjah, UAE. This edition sees artistic director Jack Persekian returning, alongside guest curators Mohammed Kazem, Eva Scharrer, and Jonathan Watkins. The event broadens the concept of ecology to encompass social, political, mental, and personal aspects, encouraging interdisciplinary discussions. A symposium held in London in April 2006 contributed to its development. Over 80 artists are participating, with 16 showcasing their work across various locations in the city. Additionally, the biennial features a film program, outreach efforts, and an exhibition by the Emirates Fine Arts Society, showcasing 30 local artists. Persekian emphasizes the link between ecological crises and economic globalization.

Key facts

  • 8th Sharjah Biennial runs April 4 to June 4, 2007
  • Title: 'Still Life: Art, Ecology and the Politics of Change'
  • Artistic director: Jack Persekian (Al'Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Art, Jerusalem)
  • Guest curators: Mohammed Kazem, Eva Scharrer, Jonathan Watkins
  • Over 80 artists participate, 16 in off-site locations
  • Symposium held April 5-7, 2006 in London with Latitudes
  • Emirates Fine Arts Society annual exhibition runs concurrently
  • 80% of Sharjah's population are migrant workers or expatriates

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Al'Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Art
  • Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts (RSA)
  • Latitudes
  • Emirates Fine Arts Society
  • University of Sharjah
  • Sharjah Biennial

Locations

  • Sharjah
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Jerusalem
  • London
  • Barcelona

Sources