Guggenheim Legacy Continues: Next Generation Finds a Home and Purpose in Abu Dhabi

As the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi prepares for its grand opening on December 11, it carries the weight of a family name synonymous with modern art for nearly a century. The institution's roots trace back to Solomon R. Guggenheim, a mining magnate who, with the guidance of artist Hilla Rebay in the 1920s, began amassing a significant collection of abstract paintings. This burgeoning collection eventually necessitated its own dedicated space.

Decades later, Solomon's niece, Peggy Guggenheim, played a crucial role in supporting struggling artists. In 1943, she provided Jackson Pollock with a monthly stipend of $150 against future sales, enabling him to pursue his art full-time, a stark contrast to his previous job as a museum custodian. Peggy championed his work, offering him his first solo exhibition at her New York gallery, Art of This Century, and commissioning the iconic Mural for her home.

Solomon's extensive collection, notably featuring numerous works by Wassily Kandinsky, found its permanent home in Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece in New York, which opened in 1959, a decade after his passing. Meanwhile, Peggy established herself in Venice, opening her home and collection to the public.

The Guggenheim's vision expanded further with the 1997 opening of the Frank Gehry-designed museum in Bilbao, a project that significantly contributed to transforming the Spanish city into a global art destination. This expansion paved the way for an agreement in 2006 to establish a museum in Abu Dhabi, bringing the institution to a region whose artists would become a vital component of its collection.

This expansion has now brought Solomon's great-great-grandson, Dillon Lawson-Johnston, to the United Arab Emirates. Initially visiting through the museum project, he has since made Abu Dhabi his home, accompanied by his wife and two children. Through his personal endeavors, ongoing involvement with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, and strong connections with the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi team, Lawson-Johnston aims to be instrumental in advancing his family's legacy in his new home.

"I don't want to just be a passive inheritor of a name," Lawson-Johnston stated. "I want to play a very meaningful role in what the Guggenheim name will mean in the future."

Lawson-Johnston grew up visiting the Guggenheim in New York, but it was in his twenties that he delved deeper into the institution's history. He was particularly struck by how his relatives identified and supported talented individuals. He observed this pattern extending beyond the art world into fields like aviation and publishing, prompting him to consider his own potential contributions. He learned the importance of boldness from his grandfather, Peter Lawson-Johnston, a former president and chairman of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation. "I’ve spent a lot of time with him, and he really was the one who championed Bilbao and Abu Dhabi," Lawson-Johnston remarked. "I think a lot of people don’t know that, but he was the one who really took the risk to do that." His grandfather believed in the transformative power of museums on a city's cultural landscape. Upon witnessing Abu Dhabi's long-term cultural aspirations, Dillon felt compelled to be a part of it. "Guggenheim Abu Dhabi was my entry point," he explained. "It was my introduction to this place, and the reason I started spending time here, and that really opened my eyes to the people here, the country itself, the ambition of the leadership."

Making Abu Dhabi Home

After gaining experience at Untitled Entertainment and the talent agency UTA, Lawson-Johnston co-founded the investment firm Guggenheim Brothers Media in 2024. The UAE's commitment to investing in creative industries inspired him to explore business opportunities in the region. Subsequent discussions led to a partnership with Abu Dhabi's Ethmar International Holding, announced in January, solidifying his decision to settle in the city. Despite his expanding business ventures, Lawson-Johnston feels a profound responsibility as the sole Guggenheim family member residing in Abu Dhabi. "I think there’s a huge sense of responsibility for me to represent the family in a certain way as we continue to figure out what’s next," he said.

The museum, with its opening date approaching, is a collaborative effort between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Foundation. Designed by Frank Gehry, the building on Saadiyat Island will be the largest in the Guggenheim network, showcasing art from the 1960s onwards, with a focus on works from West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia. "Abu Dhabi itself will need to feel distinctly like it’s from Abu Dhabi, and it will," Lawson-Johnston affirmed. "But it’s also part of a larger cultural dialogue."

Lawson-Johnston's involvement with the Foundation allows him to contribute to this dialogue. Through the Wanasa Circle, he shares insights on emerging artists and regional developments with curators in New York, who then advise and support their work. He also participates in the Young Collectors Council in New York, discussing programs aimed at engaging younger audiences with museums. He and his wife, Chloe, co-chaired the council's 2025 fundraising party, which supported the museum and its art fund.

He sees potential for his contributions in evolving the family's legacy, which has moved from collecting art to supporting artists and building institutions, thereby broadening public access to art. While not considering himself a major collector, he aims to foster greater participation in cultural life. "Being engaged with the arts does not have to be focused around collecting per se," he stated. "It can be supporting creatives, being part of a community. It can be figuring out how next generations engage or creating access."

After the Opening

Lawson-Johnston's ambitions extend to initiatives that will engage visitors once the museum opens its doors. He anticipates international visitors and aims to cultivate lasting relationships between younger Emiratis and other UAE residents and the museum through its programming and exhibitions. "I think cultural programming is huge," he commented. "We live in a world now where the next generation is experiencing culture digitally before they ever experience it in real life." His background in entertainment fuels his interest in how online engagement can lead individuals to discover artists or visit physical spaces. He is keen on exploring ideas such as inviting digital creators to spend time at the museum and share their experiences with their followers.

"I’m just trying to be a strategic partner where I can around how we can drive the next generation into the museum and engage with it," he said. Furthermore, he is eager to share the story of the family behind the institution. "I want to be a champion of telling the family story," he expressed. "I think when you start to learn more about the history of the family and the ambitions and how it all came together, you’re more inclined to go and spend time there and feel like you’re connected. There’s a certain sense of belonging."