Korea: Seoul recently witnessed a landmark celebration of Emirati visual art as the Abu Dhabi Festival, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), unveiled “Proximities”, the largest-ever showcase of Emirati creativity in the Republic of Korea. Running from 16th December 2025 to 29th March 2026, the exhibition brought together over 100 works by 47 artists, including 33 Emiratis, spanning photography, video, painting, sculpture, performance, and installation art.
“Proximities” charts five decades of artistic evolution in the UAE, offering an expansive view of the nation’s vibrant cultural heritage. Among the featured artists are luminaries such as Hassan Sharif, Abdullah Al Saadi, Shaikha Al Mazroui, Alaa Younis, Rand Abduljabbar, and Jumairy, whose works collectively capture the balance between tradition and modernity that defines contemporary Emirati expression.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the significance of the exhibition in strengthening UAE–Korea cultural relations:
“The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea share a deep and enduring bond, strengthened by a flourishing partnership across diverse sectors. Among these, culture and the arts serve as a shining example, beautifully embodied in the collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) as part of Abu Dhabi Festival. This partnership reflects the shared vision of both nations’ leadership in fostering mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and building bridges of cooperation between our peoples.”
Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, highlighted the exhibition’s intergenerational and cross-disciplinary dialogue:
“The landmark Proximities exhibition, held at SeMA in the Korean capital and presenting 47 artists from the UAE, marks a significant chapter in the shared journey of artistic exploration and exchange within the global visual arts landscape, particularly in South and East Asia. UAE-Korean relations are rooted in decades of rich and fruitful cooperation founded upon trust, mutual respect and shared interests.”
Curated by Maya El Khalil and Eunju Kim, “Proximities” is organized around three thematic propositions, co-developed with guest curators including Farah Al Qasimi, Mohammed Kazem, Cristiana de Marchi, and the artist trio Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, and Hesam Rahmanian (RRH). Each section invites audiences to explore the world through diverse lenses, from the intimate and everyday to the abstract, collective, and elemental. Maya El Khalil remarked that the exhibition explores overlapping dynamics of artists, curators, and geographies, creating an encounter that transforms perspectives rather than translating them.
Eunju Kim added:
“Proximities delves into the contemporary resonance of artistic exchange between Korea and the UAE, fostering imagination, productive tension, and harmonious coexistence. This collaboration illuminates new pathways for dialogue, enriching the cultural landscapes of both nations.”
“Proximities” also marks the second chapter in a three-year collaboration between ADMAF and SeMA, following the 2025 exhibition Layered Medium: We Are in Open Circuits in Abu Dhabi. Beyond exhibitions, the partnership supports co-commissioned artworks, artist residencies, knowledge exchange, and public programmes including panel discussions and performances, strengthening cultural ties and promoting dialogue between Abu Dhabi and Seoul.
In Seoul, Emirati visual art not only celebrates its past but asserts a dynamic global presence, inviting audiences to engage with the stories, identities, and visions that continue to define the UAE’s contemporary artistic landscape. “Proximities” is a testament to the UAE’s evolving creative identity, a bold, reflective, and deeply humanistic dialogue between nations, generations, and disciplines.