Hosted at Warehouse421, ‘Bayn: the In-Between’ is a collaboration between UAE-based artists, curators and initiatives

Bayn: the In-Between, is the third exhibition organised by U.A.E. Unlimited, a satellite platform founded and supported by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, and will be held at Warehouse421 from February 2017. U.A.E Unlimited’s mission is to nurture and develop emerging artists in the UAE. Munira Al Sayegh, an emerging curator from the Emirates, is currently working with eight commissioned conceptual artists and a ninth internationally established acclaimed guest artist from Saudia Arabia, Manal Al Dowayan.

Bayn: the In-Between is a collaboration between U.A.E. Unlimited and a number of UAE-based artists, curators, and institutions, highlighting the collective nature of the creative community in the UAE today. Hosted at Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi, the exhibition is being developed with the support of Maraya Productions in Sharjah. Maya Allison, Founding Director of NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, is the Senior Curatorial Adviser to the project, and mentoring the exhibition’s curator Munira Al Sayegh.

The participating artists represent a wide range of creative practices that explore the various reactions to the transformations happening today in our society. These include Emirati installation and multi-media artist Asma Al Ahmed, Iraqi architect & designer Hatem Hatem, Emirati musician & sound artist Maytha Al Shamsi, Jordanian portrait artist Saif Mhaisen, Emirati textile artist Sara Al Haddad, Syrian landscape artist & designer Talin Hazbar, Bahraini-American documentary artist Nasser Al Zayani and Emirati architect & illustrator Talal Al Ansari.

The annual exhibition centers on new commissioned works, which will explore the divide between the selves that dwelled in the recent past and their contemporaries, examining what lies in-between to deconstruct and reconstruct labels, boundaries, and identities assigned. The artists are currently developing their commissioned pieces while undertaking monthly reading and discussion sessions with Munira Al Sayegh.

Speaking ahead of the exhibition, Shobha Pia Shamdsani, Executive Director of U.A.E. Unlimited commented: “Through U.A.E. Unlimited’s partnerships with local initiatives in the UAE, we are able to offer emerging artists the advantage of working directly with experienced creative professionals whose insights are invaluable to the development of these young artists. We are delighted to have Maya Allison as Senior Adviser for this exhibition, who can offer keen insights into the arts and culture landscape of the UAE through her role as Director and Curator of NYUAD Art Gallery.”

Maya Allison, Senior Curatorial Adviser said: “An exhibition of emerging artists on this scale is a major, exciting undertaking, particularly with nine entirely new works being produced. Munira’s curatorial concept and commitment to the creative vision of these emerging artists is commendable, as is the commitment of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and Shobha Pia Shamdsani to the support of emerging artists, and now emerging curators, in the UAE.”

The exhibition will open to the public at Warehouse421 in February 2017. Confirmed exhibition dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Pariticpating artists: Asma Al Ahmed, Hatem Hatem, Manal Al Dowayan, Maytha Al Shamsi, Nasser Al Zayani, Saif Mehaisen, Sara Al Haddad, Talal Al Ansari, Talin Hazbar.