Tipped to be the country’s foremost art institution cum exhibition space, the Salwa Zeidan Gallery is an iconic edifice at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s cultural identity. Having opened its doors to the public in 1994 this one of a kind gallery was reopened as recently as 2009 under the royal patronage of HRH Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan. Renowned throughout the Gulf as the region’s premier art space for contemporary art, the venue takes pride in displaying the works of the Middle East’s finest artists while nurturing emerging talent within the UAE and its neighbouring countries. Showcasing various modes of contemporary artistic expression, the venue displays paintings, photography collections, sculptures, installations and performance art pieces, while organizing cultural activities the likes of poetry readings and workshops on various art forms.
As a globally recognized curator of individual and collaborative exhibits in association with other world renowned galleries, the venue is a visual treasure trove for art lovers exploring Abu Dhabi. Having served as the venue of choice for Art Dubai 2011, Abu Dhabi Artfair 2010, the Dropping Lines’ Contemporary Emirati Art Show and Abu Dhabi Art 2009 Exhibition, the Salwa Zeidan Gallery has also hosted prestigious events such the Abu Dhabi International Sculpture Symposium in past years.
Apart from displaying the works of reputed Middle Eastern masters the likes of Hassan Sharif, Rose Husseiny, Nedim Kufi and Mohammed Kazem, exhibits by Fatema Al Mazrouie and Kourosh Salehi were also showcased at the venue along with the highly documented Abdul Badi Abdul-Musawwir Solo Exhibition. Highlights at the venue include works by foreign artists such as Yoshin Ogata, Gheorghi Filin, John Van Alstine and Caroline Ramersdorfer, while photographic collections by local greats Kourosh Salehi and Omar Zeidan are also on show at the gallery. International photographers exhibiting their work at the locale include Billy Lee, Vincent Sannier, Rita Grosse-Ruyken and George Lewis.
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