Sharjah’s first-ever Arab art museum is set to open in 2028
Arab art finds its new permanent home in the emirate of Sharjah
Art has always been a window to the soul of artists, current political movements, deeply rooted memories and much more. There isn’t just one singular definition of what makes art such a desirable and inspiring piece – it’s a collection of emotions that’s visible through every line drawn and splattered paint. Fostering just that love and emotion for all things art, the oh-so prominent Barjeel Art Foundation is setting up a permanent shop in the cultural capital of the Arab World – Sharjah – in early 2028. And yes, this is quite a big deal.
For much of their history, these artworks have travelled across the region, each telling a story through every brushstroke, choice of colour and the artistic intention behind it.
The independent collecting institution, Barjeel Art Foundation was conceptualised by visionary Emirati columnist and researcher Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi in 2010 in Sharjah. His idea behind the foundation was simple: make Arab art publicly accessible.
What began as a means to showcase his growing art collection soon became a haven for other artists and researchers alike to showcase their curated range of exquisite art pieces.
What can you expect from the all-new Barjeel Art Foundation?
Breaking ground earlier this year in April, the Barjeel Art Foundation is over 4,000 square metres along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and will feature a whopping collection of over 2,000 art pieces from across the Arab world. This also includes never-before-seen pieces from across the region.
Originally sketched out by Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi and designed by architect Mohamed Essa of Architecture Corner Consultants, the inspiration for the architecture is drawn from Al Qassemi’s vision of transforming an age-old, deteriorated building into a more refined space that harbours art history and continues to nurture Arab artists.
But make no mistake, these aren’t just new-age artworks that will be on display. Some of these are decades old and have survived the tests of time, war, displacement and more. So, you will be in for much more than just artwork – you’ll be in for the emotions behind the art, their storied pasts and their innate ability to evoke raw emotions from the viewer.
We’ll be keeping our eyes open for any updates, so stay tuned.
Image: Instagram
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