Louvre Abu Dhabi reveals jury panel, shortlisted artists for Art Here 2025 and Richard Mille Art Prize

Al Etihad

3 days ago

31 July 2025 15:20
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Louvre Abu Dhabi and Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille return for the fifth edition of their groundbreaking annual exhibition and competition, Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize, deepening their shared commitment to showcasing contemporary art from the region and beyond within the global creative landscape.Set to open under Louvre Abu Dhabi's iconic dome on October 11 until December 28, Art Here 2025, conceptualised by guest curator Sophie Mayuko Arni, invited artists to respond to the theme Shadows, a concept exploring the interplay between light and absence, visibility and concealment, and the layered dimensions of memory, identity, and transformation. Reflecting the richness of regional creativity, this year's edition welcomed more than 400 proposals from artists based in the GCC and Japan, along with artists from the MENA region with a GCC connection.The jury of Art Here 2025 consists of a distinguished panel of members. It includes His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Founder of UAE Unlimited, and a Board Member of the British Museum and Centre Pompidou, as well as a prominent patron and collector of arts who has been instrumental in supporting the UAE's emerging artists. Also on the jury are Dr Guilhem André, Director of the Scientific, Curatorial, and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi and a seasoned art historian, and Maya Allison, founding Executive Director of the Art Galleries and Chief Curator at New York University Abu Dhabi.Joining them for this edition are acclaimed international curators Yuko Hasegawa, Visiting Professor at Graduate School of Management at Kyoto University and former Director of 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, and Sophie Mayuko Arni, a Swiss Japanese Curator and founding Editor of Global Art Daily, known for fostering cultural exchange between the Gulf and Japan through her innovative curatorial work.Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: "Now in its fifth edition, Art Here continues to grow as a platform for dialogue and discovery, bringing together emerging artistic voices from across the region and, for the first time, Japan. With the support of our valued partner Richard Mille and our esteemed jury, we are proud to share that the calibre and number of proposals received this year reflect the region's growing creative momentum and the expanding reach of the initiative. This announcement reaffirms Louvre Abu Dhabi's commitment to championing contemporary art and fostering creative exchange across borders, rooted within the dynamic cultural landscape of Saadiyat Cultural District."Peter Harrison, CEO Richard Mille EMEA, said: "Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize have become a key part of our ongoing support for contemporary art. The expansion into Japan reflects our shared vision with Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to build meaningful connections between artists and audiences across different contexts. The quality and thoughtfulness of this year's proposals show a growing maturity in the regional and global art scene and a strong appetite for dialogue through art."Six proposals by seven exceptional artists, each bringing a unique cultural perspective and creative approach, have been selected to be showcased under the museum's dome. The artists are Ahmed Al-Aqra, a Palestinian architect, artist, and researcher known for his work investigating spatial practices, often using a multidisciplinary approach combining art, philosophy, and architecture. Jumairy, an Emirati artist and musician, creates digital performances that explore inner emotions and blur the line between what is real and virtual. The work of Japanese artist Ryoichi Kurokawa sits at the intersection of art and technology, combining sound and visuals in highly detailed, immersive installations. Pakistan-born and currently residing in the UAE, Hamra Abbas brings a contemporary perspective to traditional Islamic art, exploring ideas around faith, gender, and memory shaped by her experience across different cultures. Japanese artist Rintaro Fuse uses painting, film, and poetry to reflect on modern urban life in his thoughtful work, capturing feelings of isolation and disconnection in today's digital world. Lastly, the architectural duo Takuma Yokomae from Japan and Dr Ghali Bouayad from Morocco, who go by the name YOKOMAE et BOUAYAD, collaborate on projects that blend design traditions from Tokyo and Marrakesh, experimenting with form, pattern, and technology. Together, this group of artists offers more than just creative work; they share deeply personal perspectives on identity, culture, and the world we live in.Dr Guilhem André, Director of Scientific, Curatorial, and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: "The evolution of Art Here over its five editions has seen it become a flagship exhibition for Louvre Abu Dhabi, one that embraces diversity and nurtures emerging talents. This year's expansion into Japan marks a deliberate curatorial shift that deepens cross-cultural dialogue between the Gulf and East Asia, broadening the scope of artistic engagement and reaffirming our role as a hub for both regional and international creativity. As we continue to support and elevate emerging voices from the UAE and the region, we are equally committed to cultivating new creative bridges across continents, reflecting our sustained belief that contemporary art is a powerful lens through which we can understand our shared humanity and experiences.'Sophie Mayuko Arni, Curator of Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2025, said: "I am deeply honoured to curate this year's edition of Art Here and thrilled to see such a positive response from artists across the region and Japan. The theme of Shadows allowed for wide interpretations of outdoor installations, and the sheer number of proposals received speaks volumes about the relevance of Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Expanding the geographical reach of the Prize may come with challenges, but fostering cross-cultural understanding sits at the heart of the museum's mission and provides artists with new horizons to dream and imagine. From many strong submissions, shortlisting the six commissioned artworks was a very difficult task. I would like to thank the stellar jury for a joint effort to reach the final selection."The announcement of this year's jury and shortlisted artists signals the next phase of a growing curatorial dialogue that spans the Gulf, Japan, and the wider region. As the artists begin developing their works, Art Here 2025 continues to push the boundaries of regional collaboration and artistic expression, inviting new interpretations of shadow, space, and cultural resonance within the evolving universal narrative of Louvre Abu Dhabi.
For more details on Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize, please visit https://www.louvreabudhabi.ae/en/exhibitions/art-here-2025
Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi