ARTIST COMMISSIONS IN CULTURAL SITES

Artists & Locations:
Nujoom Alghanem in Al Jahili Fort | Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim in Al Ain Oasis

Launched in 2017. Each year, Abu Dhabi Art invites established and well-known artists to create site-specific works in cultural sites in Al Ain and the wider Abu Dhabi emirate, to activate these sites and draw new audiences to them. The works created by the commissioned artists are revealed during Abu Dhabi Art Fair and remain on show to the public for several months afterwards.

 

Nujoom Alghanem

“Artifacts of the Current Moments” is an immersive multi-layered art installation by artist, poet, and filmmaker, Nujoom Alghanem commissioned by Abu Dhabi Art for the Cultural Sites Programme this year.
It spreads over 7 rooms of Al Jahili Fort presenting works in diverse media centring around ceramic as a major material to reflect on the main theme of the installation which is the “current moment”.
The installation highlights the artist’s multi-disciplinary practice which includes poetry, painting, sound, film, and sculpture.

Known for her storytelling approach, Alghanem creates a subliminal narrative for the visitors of Al Jahili that is based on the different materials and tools she adopted in parallel with the subjects she has been exploring for the last six months, particularly in relation to her several visits to Al Ain Oasis. Her objective is to provide the audience with a profound experience at the Fort. She invites them to be in an open dialogue with the thoughts each section of the installation presents. This approach mirrors her personal journey, delving into the essential meanings of the known and unknown, the recognized and the concealed, and the prevailing psyche of existing elements versus those reverberating from ancient history.

She intentionally creates similar items to those that were unearthed in archeological sites aiming at situating them within a new historical context specific to this region and moment in history. Yet, she injects a contemporary touch, employing aesthetic choices such as interweaving ceramic pieces with industrial wires and utilizing diverse clay types, glazes, oxides, and waxes to reflect the present time.
While the inception of this theme dates back several years, Alghanem intensified her efforts during the Covid pandemic, viewing the lockdown as a pivotal, historical moment. For her, it was an opportunity for humanity to reconnect with nature and the inner psyche.
Alghanem contends that artists can construct alternative realities, making the world more bearable. She states, "there are hundreds of hours that pass throughout our lives either in waiting for things to happen or in waiting for the right time to start something more profound. In 2021, I started creating ceramic art pieces to address those moments spent in waiting, forming the foundation of this installation."
In terms of film, Alghanem produced a 7-minute art-film with an un-attached soundtrack that will be played in a separate room to engage the audience with each form independently.

Finally, it’s essential to acknowledge the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. This installation was also supported by Dubai Culture who provided her with the space and facilities to create her artworks at Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children in Dubai.





Nujoom Alghanem is represented by Aisha Alabbar Gallery, is a commissioned artist for Artist Commissions in Cultural Sites, Abu Dhabi Art 2023.

Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim

Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim’s installation Al Ain Oasis, commissioned by Abu Dhabi Art for the Cultural Sites of Al Ain, comprises dynamic, colourful tree-like sculptures made of natural and found materials that celebrate the vibrant greenery of Al Ain’s oasis terrains. The artist combines his signature medium of paper-mâché, recycled cardboard and found objects to create a unique landscape of organic forms.

Ibrahim's practice is deeply rooted in a processed-based approach, which he views as both experiential and meditative. Through this site-specific installation, he creates a profound sense of presence, inviting viewers to experience an encounter with his artistic expression and the UNESCO heritage site of Al Ain oasis. In a departure from his previous works, Ibrahim introduces new elements, adding his symbol motifs directly onto his biomorphic sculptures, a harmonious integration between his two-dimensional paintings and his three-dimensional sculptures.

The commissioned installation reflects his deep connection to the local environment, and in keeping with his practice, addresses concerns of urbanization's impact on nature. Conceptualized as a gift to Al Ain, the installation is reminiscent of Ibrahim’s distinct land art works which are inspired by a lifelong relationship with the nature of the region. As visitors engage with the installation, they are encouraged to contemplate local developments in sustainable art, their own connection to their natural surroundings, and ways they can contribute to its preservation.

Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim is represented by Lawrie Shabibi, is a commissioned artist for “Artist Commissions in Cultural Sites” in Abu Dhabi Art 2023