Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Founding Honorary Patron of Abu Dhabi Festival, and H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Patron of the Abu Dhabi Festival and wife of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), will present "Proximities," the largest exhibition of Emirati visual art in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from 16th December 2025 to 29th March 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, the exhibition will feature over 100 works by 47 artists, including 33 Emirati artists, spanning three generations and showcasing five decades of the evolution of Emirati visual art. Notable artists such as Hassan Sharif, Abdullah Al Saadi, Shaikha Al Mazroui, Alaa Younis, Rand Abduljabbar, and Jumairy will have their works displayed.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed emphasized the strong bond shared between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea, highlighting the partnership in culture and the arts exemplified by the collaboration between ADMAF and SeMA as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival. He noted that the "Proximities" exhibition represents a significant milestone in the journey of artistic exploration and exchange, particularly in South and East Asia, reflecting the UAE and Korea's shared vision of fostering mutual understanding and cultural exchange.
Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, remarked that the exhibition covers various forms such as photography, video, painting, sculpture, performance, and installation. It traces shifts in cultural dialogue and understanding, enhancing artistic exchange between the UAE and Korea, and emphasizes the role of the arts in shaping a progressive future. She highlighted the significance of Emirati artists' contributions to the cultural landscape in both regional and global contexts.
The exhibition, co-curated by Maya El Khalil and Eunju Kim, unfolds through three propositions developed with guest curators, including Farah Al Qasimi, Mohammed Kazem, and Cristiana de Marchi. It examines different forms of proximity and encourages audiences to reflect and engage in dialogue.
Maya El Khalil noted that "Proximities" explores overlapping dynamics across geographies and generations, challenging perspectives and inviting audiences to become part of ongoing exchanges. Eunju Kim added that the exhibition aims to explore the resonance of artistic exchange between Korea and the UAE, fostering open imagination and mutual understanding.
"Proximities" represents the second phase of a three-year institutional collaboration between ADMAF and SeMA, following an earlier exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration also includes co-commissioned artworks, artist residencies, and an ongoing public program of discussions and performances in both cities.