An exhibition featuring the very best of Emirati art was held as part of the long-standing and fruitful partnership between Abu Dhabi Festival (ADF) and Mubadala Development Company. The multi-media exhibition, entitled ‘Unconventional’, was created to foster a culture of art appreciation among Mubadala’s employees and the broader Abu Dhabi community. The exhibition presented work by a selection of the UAE’s leading contemporary artists.

Spanning a two week period, Unconventional was curated by the Emirati digital artist Sumayyah Al Suwaidi. The show celebrates original work being produced today by the UAE’s most innovative visual artists. Aligned with the key mission of Abu Dhabi Festival, the exhibition sought to embed the arts in society and hopes by inspiring and encouraging artistic expression.

“Abu Dhabi Festival is extremely proud to partner with Mubadala to support these talented Emirati artists who have the aspiration and the talent to influence the UAE’s cultural landscape through the unifying spirit of the arts”, said Her Excellency Mrs. Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival during the closing ceremony.

Also during the closing ceremony at Mubadala’s Al Mamoura Building, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala, said: “Mubadala’s partnership with Abu Dhabi Festival stems from our commitment to foster appreciation of the fine arts among the UAE community. It is a unique experience to be able to offer our employees the opportunity to learn, appreciate and develop a real passion for arts through the outstanding work of the presenting UAE artists.”

The exhibiting artists include Abdul Rahim Salem, Fatma Lootah, Jalal Luqman, Mattar Bin Lahej, Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, Noor Al Suwaidi, Farid Al Rais, Hamdan Al Shamisi, Khawla Darwish, Moaza Mattar.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces the Abu Dhabi Festival is an annual arts and culture festival that is a source of inspiration and innovation at both a local and international level. Drawing together a program of the very best talent from around the world, the Festival seamlessly combines a multitude of art-forms, and aims to explore the Emirates’ artistic and cultural heritage and traditions.

The vision of Abu Dhabi as a cultural capital for the region as well as the world is intrinsically connected to that of the Abu Dhabi Festival. This year the Festival reached out to over 25,000 people across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and beyond, successfully bringing cultural creativity to the forefront of public thought. 

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