Post by : Badri Ariffin

Under the auspices of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has partnered with the Seoul Museum of Art to launch Proximities, marking the largest exhibition of contemporary visual art from the UAE ever in East Asia.

Officially inaugurated on December 15, 2025, by UAE Minister of Culture Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, the event gathered dignitaries from both the UAE and South Korea, including Kim Hea Kyung, the Korean Minister of Culture, along with Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, ADMAF Founder, and UAE Ambassador Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, among others.

During his speech, Minister Al Qassimi emphasized the UAE's dedication to enhancing international cultural collaboration, stating that Proximities showcases the rich spectrum of Emirati contemporary art in Korea and broader East Asia. The exhibition features the works of 47 UAE-based artists, capturing five decades of artistic innovation and the diversity of Emirati expression.

Al Qassimi further noted the partnership with ADMAF supports ongoing national aspirations regarding the cultural and creative sectors, and emphasizes the Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad program's role in facilitating dialogue with global art institutions like the Seoul Museum of Art.

Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo mentioned that the exhibition encompasses photography, video, painting, sculpture, performance, and installation, tracing evolving narratives of identity and cultural understanding. She pointed out that Proximities fosters artistic exchanges between the UAE and Korea while showcasing Emirati artists’ works on an international platform, capturing the experiences of three generations reflectively.

UAE Ambassador Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi hailed the exhibition as a testament to the robust cultural links between the UAE and South Korea, illustrating the growth of Emirati visual arts by bringing together influential creators and contemporary voices, reinforcing cultural diplomacy and mutual exchange.

Open to visitors until March 29, 2026, Proximities presents over 110 artworks from 47 artists, including 33 Emirati artists spanning three creative generations. The showcase includes distinguished names like Hassan Sharif and Ala Younis, encapsulating five decades of artistic progression in the Emirates and is part of the 23rd Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad.

Choi Eunju remarked that the Seoul Museum of Art is honored to host this unprecedented exhibition of Emirati contemporary art, offering a platform for dialogue and mutual exploration that accentuates Seoul's role as a hub for international artistic interaction.

Co-curated by Maya El Khalil and Eunju Kim, the exhibition is organized into three thematic sections, developed in collaboration with guest curators Farah Al Qasimi, Mohammed Kazem, Cristiana de Marchi, and the art trio Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, and Hesam Rahmanian. Each section reflects themes of memory, identity, and transformation, highlighting the significance of human, cultural, and geographical proximity in art creation.

The exhibition features a public program of discussions and artist presentations. Proximities also represents the next phase in a three-year collaboration between ADMAF and SeMA, under a memorandum with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, fostering enduring cultural ties between the UAE and South Korea through shared artistic efforts.

#Abu Dhabi News #UAE News