Abu Dhabi Biennial Transforms Public Spaces with 21 Artists Exploring Home and Memory

Public spaces across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain are set to be transformed by art installations as the second Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial makes its return this month. Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the exhibition features 21 artists and collectives from the UAE and internationally, showcasing monumental, interactive, and multi-sensory works that delve into themes of home, collective memory, and community.

The biennial commences in Al Ain on October 23, with Abu Dhabi following on November 15. The exhibition will run in both cities until February 15, 2027.

In Abu Dhabi, artworks will be displayed at Mina Zayed (MiZa), Souq Al Mina, Hidd Al Saadiyat, and the Saadiyat Cultural District, specifically in the park situated between the Zayed National Museum and Louvre Abu Dhabi. The program will also extend to various locations in Al Ain, though specific sites are yet to be announced. Details regarding which artworks will be presented at each location are also pending release.

The diverse lineup of participating artists includes UAE talents such as Khalid Al Banna, Roudhah Al Mazrouei, and Shama Al Hamed, alongside international figures like Ibrahim Mahama, Laure Prouvost, Yinka Shonibare, and Akram Zaatari. Other featured artists include Asuncion Molinos Gordo, blaxTARLINES, Celeste Boursier-Mougenot, Elena del Rivero, Ivan Argote, Jean-Marie Appriou, Kapwani Kiwanga, Marinella Senatore, M'barek Bouhchichi, Mercedes Azpilicueta, Nari Ward, Reena Saini Kallat, Serge Attukwei Clottey, and Vica Pacheco.

Under the theme 'Home: A Glossary for a Communal Sense of Place,' curated by Artistic Director Elvira Dyangani Ose, the exhibition explores home as a dynamic, shared human experience. It examines how community, memory, and daily interactions shape individuals' relationships with places. The artists will engage with their chosen settings, drawing upon research and collaborating with local communities.

Visitors can anticipate contemporary art integrated into public and cultural spaces, with installations focusing on urban landscapes, material culture, and civic participation. The biennial promises a blend of large-scale, interactive, and multisensory artworks designed to foster engagement with both the art and its environment. Further details on individual installations, visiting hours, ticketing, and related events will be announced soon.