Picture this: It’s November. The desert breeze is kind. You’ve got your most artsy outfit on (you know, the one that says I understand abstract concepts and own more than three tote bags), and you’re headed to the place where creativity spills over like your third cup of karak—Abu Dhabi Art 2025 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, from 19 to 23 November.
And guess what? This year, the Visual Campaign Artist isn’t just good. She’s brilliantly bending metal and minds—say hello to Shaikha Al Mazrou, the UAE’s very own sculptural sorceress.
From “Beyond Emerging” to Blazing Trails
Once upon a time (well, in 2017), Shaikha showed up as a “Beyond Emerging” artist at Abu Dhabi Art. Fast forward to now, and she’s basically art royalty. Her appointment as the 2025 Visual Campaign Artist is not just a glow-up—it’s a mic-drop moment.
She’s repping the UAE’s evolving art scene with grace, grit, and yes, a whole lot of oxidised brass. Her campaign artwork “Beyond All Measures (2024)” plays with brass like it’s clay and turns heat and oxygen into art. (Meanwhile, we can’t even keep our kettle from rusting.)
But here’s the kicker—it’s not just about the visuals. It’s a metaphorical call to wake up and smell the philosophical coffee. Her artwork is all about transformation, perception, and boundaries (or rather, smashing them into recyclable smithereens).
Sculpting Meaning from Metal and Mayhem
If you think art is just about pretty colours and awkward nods at galleries, think again. Shaikha’s work takes discarded materials—think electronic waste and construction scraps—and turns them into geometric poems. Imagine Paul Klee meets an upcycled IKEA shelf in a Bauhaus-themed sci-fi dream. That’s the vibe.
She’s not just asking you to look. She’s asking you to feel the space, embrace the tension, and maybe even question your existence a bit. You know, casual Thursday stuff.
Her inspiration? Legends like Kandinsky and Andre. Her method? Sculpting tension, colour, and a good ol’ dose of “wait, how did she even do that?”
Abu Dhabi Art: More Than Just a Fair
Let’s be real. This isn’t just about one artist or one week in November. Abu Dhabi Art is a year-round creative rollercoaster—packed with exhibitions, commissions, and educational outreach that’ll have you geeking out over gesso and graphite in no time.
And if you’re a gallerist with a dream and a decent Wi-Fi connection, gallery applications for the 2025 fair are now open—but don’t snooze! The deadline’s 30 April 2025. Categories include Modern, Contemporary, Special Projects, and Emerge. Go on, give your inner curator a chance to shine.
“Art Isn’t About Making Things…”
Wise words from Shaikha herself. “It’s about provoking thought. It’s a language that doesn’t need borders.” And honestly, if her sculptures could talk, they’d probably be dropping life advice in poetic riddles while wearing designer safety vests.
From prestigious awards (hello, Paulo Cunha e Silva Prize) to being part of global collections, to teaching at NYU Abu Dhabi—Shaikha’s journey is basically what happens when raw talent meets relentless curiosity (and probably a really sturdy toolbox).
So, What Now?
Mark those dates (19–23 November 2025). Charge your phone. Bring your best museum walk. And prepare to be dazzled, challenged, and possibly humbled by oxidised brass.
Because Abu Dhabi Art 2025 isn’t just a fair—it’s a full-blown cultural awakening. And with Shaikha Al Mazrou at the helm of its visual identity, one thing’s for sure: the future of art in the UAE looks bold, brilliant, and beautifully bent out of shape.
Gallery applications now open!
Deadline: 30 April 2025
Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
Categories: Modern and Contemporary, Special Projects, Emerge
