Sharjah Art Foundation
Sharjah Art Foundation brings a broad range of contemporary art and cultural programmes to the communities of Sharjah, the UAE and the region. Since 2009 SAF has built on the history of cultural collaboration and exchange that began with the first Sharjah Biennial in 1993. Working with local and international partners, we create opportunities for artists and artistic production through our core initiatives that include the Sharjah Biennial, the annual March Meeting, residencies, production grants, commissions, exhibitions, research, publications and a growing collection. Our education and public programmes focus on building recognition of the central role art can play in the life of a community by promoting public learning and a participatory approach to art. Sharjah Art Foundation is funded by the Department of Culture and Information, Government of Sharjah.
SAF Director Hoor Al-Qasimi
Appointed Curator for the National Pavilion United Arab Emirates at the 2015 International Art Exhibition – La Venice Biennale di Venezia
The appointment of Sheikha Hoor as curator was announced on Monday by the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, commissioners for the National Pavilion United Arab Emirates la Biennale di Venezia.
The National Pavilion of the UAE, Arsenale Sale d'Armi, Venice (currently under construction) Credit: Davide Ferrante
March Meeting 2014
This year’s open call seeks active correspondents for the March Meeting. Sharjah Art Foundation will support 5 – 8 artists, writers, and curators with research goals and interest in the region to attend all days of the March Meeting as a correspondent, each grantee will in turn be expected to contribute an essay, blog post, diaristic record, or alternative response to MM 2014.
Curator Murtaza Vali in Conversation with artist Wael Shawky
Artist Talk
Tuesday, 11 March 2014 7:00 pm A4, Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai
Wael Shawky, Al Araba Al Madfuna II, 2013, black-and-white video projection with sound, film still
Abdullah Al Saadi: Al-Toubay
Exhibition
22 February - 22 May 2014 Bait Hussain Makrani and Bait Hassan Mukhtar SAF Art Spaces
Susan Hefuna: Another Place
Opening reception
Thursday, 13 March 2014 6:00 pm Bait Al Serkal Arts Area Al Shuweiheen
Susan Hefuna, 4 Women - 4 Views, 2001, Photography, 130x200 cm. Courtesy of the artist
Eduard Puterbrot: Between my East and my West
Exhibition
22 February - 22 May 2014 Building J SAF Art Spaces
Wael Shawky: Horsemen Adore Perfumes and other stories
Opening reception
Thursday, 13 March 2014 7:00 pm Building P, Bait Al Aboudi, Bait Gholoum Ibrahim SAF Art Spaces
Wael Shawky, Al Araba Al Madfuna II, 2013, black-and-white video projection with sound, film still
Selection of works from SAF Collection on display in SAF Art Spaces
20 January - 1 March 2014 Building GH SAF Art Spaces
Sharif Waked, Jericho First, 2002, 30 paintings, installation view
Sharjah Art Foundation Collection
Sharjah Biennial 12
Eungie Joo as Curator
Sharjah Art Foundation announces the appointment of Eungie Joo as Curator of Sharjah Biennial 12 (SB12), opening in March 2015. Joo was Director of Art and Cultural Programs at Instituto Inhotim in Brumadinho, Brasil, and previously served as Director and Curator of Education and Public Programs at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York.
Rasheed Araeen: Before and After Minimalism
Opening reception
Thursday, 13 March 2014 7:00 pm Building I SAF Art Spaces
Sculpture No. 2, 1965, steel and paint, 122 x 122 x 122 cm, installation view, Hayward Gallery, London, 1989
SAF Education Programme
SAF Art School: Spring 2014 Children's Education Programme March 1 – May 31, 2014 Sharjah Art Foundation’s education programme offers children the opportunity to discover their artistic creativity while learning about art and culture. Through a variety of learning experiences featuring workshops, activities and events, SAF's multi-disciplinary approach helps students build art knowledge, creativity and confidence. Taught by professional artists, SAF’s education initiative is designed in response to themes within its ongoing exhibition programme.
SAF Young Artist Programme: Spring/Summer 2014Adult Education Programme March 29 – September 6, 2014 Sharjah Art Foundation offers a series of seminars, intensive workshops, and discussions with art professionals aimed at young artists who wish to deepen their practice and develop their professional and practical skills.
Moving Images
SAF partners with Dubai International Film Festival and Art Dubai on Moving Images -- an initiative that explores the shared space between art and cinema.
Mario Rizzi, Al Intithar, 2013, film still
Programme announced for 2014 March Meeting
SAF announces the preliminary schedule of speakers, events, and exhibitions for the 2014 March Meeting, taking place March 13 to 16.
Conceived by SB12 curator Eungie Joo as an integral part of the Biennial—opening in March 2015—the seventh annual MM2014 is a four-day symposium including presentations about past projects in Sharjah and the UAE, introductions to the work of artists who will be commissioned for SB12, sessions for collective research and analysis, keynote presentations by leading figures in the region, and time for informal conversation. As a departure point for SB12, MM2014 sets a tone of collaboration and exchange for the coming year. March Meeting 2014 will coincide with exhibitions of work by Rasheed Araeen, Susan Hefuna, and Wael Shawky, on view March 13 through June 13. The March Project opens March 16, featuring new commissions by early career artists, curated by SAF President and Director Hoor Al Qasimi.
Open Call: Studio space for UAE based artists
SAF invites UAE based artists to apply for studio space at the Collections Building in Sharjah Arts Area. Through an Open Call, three studio spaces will be granted to artists by selection, and seven other spaces will be available for rent.
Rawdat al-Balabel
In collaboration with AMAR Foundation (Arab Music Archiving & Research), Sharjah Art Foundation presents Rawdat al-Balabel: a series of podcasts about classical Arabic music that consists of 104 episodes posted online over the course of 52 weeks. The forty-ninth podcast of Rawdat al-Balabel Qaṣīda “ ‘Sheikh Abū al-‘Ilā Muḥammad 3” is now available.
Image courtesy of AMAR Foundation