Abu Dhabi Art and Meem Gallery to present solo exhibition by Kamal Boullata at Warehouse421

Abu Dhabi, 23 April 2018: As part of its year-round public programming, Abu Dhabi Art has announced the second in its series of commercial gallery exhibitions in Abu Dhabi showcasing artworks for sale. This new exhibition will feature a collaboration with Meem Gallery, who will present works by Palestinian artist Kamal Boullata at Warehouse421 for the project. Launching on 24th April, the exhibition will run until 13th May 2018, and features Boullata’s last three series of works; Bilqis, Addolcendo, and Angelus.

This exhibition will mark the first time that these three interconnected bodies of work will be shown together and will offer audiences a unique opportunity to view the artist’s recent oeuvre in one setting.

Kamal Boullata is a Palestinian artist and writer based in Germany. Primarily working in silkscreen, Boullata’s work frequently incorporates Kufic script, an early form of Arabic calligraphy to create colourful, geometric compositions on paper. Much of his work explores themes of identity and exile. Boullata’s paintings, silkscreens, and livres d’artiste have been exhibited in Europe, the US, France, and the Middle East.

Dyala Nusseibeh, Abu Dhabi Art Director said: “We are proud to partner with Meem Gallery for our newly launched programme of extended gallery exhibitions in Abu Dhabi. We aim to offer Abu Dhabi residents an engaging opportunity to view works by both emerging and established artists through this initiative. Kamal Boullata is one the region’s foremost artists and with this solo presentation we are delighted to offer a more in-depth perspective on his work.”

Meagan Kelly Horsman, Director of Business Development, Meem Gallery said: “Meem Gallery is delighted to collaborate on this exhibition with Abu Dhabi Art and Warehouse421. Bringing together three series of recent paintings by Kamal Boullata allows us and visitors to the exhibition to view these works together for the first time. Each body of work flows from one series to the next, and it will be wonderful experience to see them in relation to one another; from the large triptychs of the Bilqis series to the small, intimate works on paper of Addolcendo; and the dramatic cyclical works of Angelus."

Faisal Al Hassan, Manager at Warehouse421, said: “We are delighted to host the second instalment of Abu Dhabi Art’s commercial gallery exhibitions at Warehouse421. This collaboration underlines our commitment to support the region’s talented creatives by connecting commercial galleries with art enthusiasts. We look forward to welcoming the public to view this series of works by Kamal Boullata, which will help increase appreciation of Arabic art while providing a valuable showcase where visitors can purchase pieces for their collections. This exhibition, in tandem with our ongoing program of events at Warehouse421, represents another step in our ongoing mission to bring the finest in regional art and cultural programming to Abu Dhabi.”

The exhibition will open on 24th April and run until 13th May 2018 at Warehouse421. Open to all and free to attend, the exhibition will be open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 8pm. Warehouse421 is closed on Mondays.

About The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

About Abu Dhabi Art – Abu Dhabi Art expands beyond the notion of a traditional art fair, in placing strong emphasis on a diverse public engagement programme, including art installations and exhibitions, talks and events that  take place in different locations throughout the year. The culmination of this year-long programme is the Abu Dhabi Art event in November, which provides an important sales platform for participating galleries whilst also offering these galleries an opportunity to showcase ambitious installations and site specific works by their artists to an audience of over 20,000 visitors.

About Warehouse421 – Warehouse421 is a hub for creativity and an active participant in Abu Dhabi’s creative ecosystem, and is dedicated to supporting learning, making, exhibition and commercial activity relevant to the local and regional creative industries. Since November 2015, Warehouse421 has hosted 14 exhibitions and showcased the work of more than 200 local and regional artists and designers, providing a place for creatives to formally and informally convene. Warehouse421 offers public the opportunity to explore their creativity through interactive initiatives including talks, workshops, film screenings and performances. Located in the Mina Zayed of Abu Dhabi, Warehouse421 was converted from two former industrial warehouses and designed by the respected Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).

About Meem Gallery – Meem Gallery is a leading international presence in the management and promotion of Modern and Contemporary Arab, North African and Iranian art. Founded in 2007 by Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi, Mishal Hamed Kanoo and Charles Pocock, the gallery runs an ambitious programme of solo and group exhibitions with a special focus on regional Modern Masters, including Dia Azzawi, Kamal Boullata and Parviz Tanavoli. The gallery also exhibits the work of innovative Contemporary artists such as Zhivago Duncan and Mahmoud Obaidi. In addition to its extensive exhibition schedule, Meem Gallery oversees Meem Editions, a respected in-house publishing programme that regularly commissions work by many of the most well-regarded scholars, academics and writers in the field.