UAE Contemporary Art Shines in Seoul

In a remarkable display of cultural collaboration, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), alongside the Seoul Museum of Art, launched Proximities, marking the most extensive exhibition of contemporary visual art from the UAE ever seen in East Asia. This initiative is supported by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister.

Officially inaugurated on December 15, 2025, by UAE Culture Minister Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, the event gathered dignitaries from both the UAE and South Korea, including Kim Hea Kyung, Korean Minister of Culture, and prominent figures from the arts community.

Al Qassimi emphasized that the exhibition signifies the UAE's dedication to fostering international cultural ties and enhancing creative dialogue with various nations. With contributions from 47 UAE-based artists covering five decades, Proximities showcases a rich diversity of Emirati artistic expression.

Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, ADMAF's founder, highlighted the exhibition's focus on various art forms, including photography, video, and installation, reflecting cultural shifts across generations. She acknowledged the exhibition’s role in advancing Emirati artists on the international stage amidst rapid cultural changes.

Ambassador Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi described this exhibition as pivotal for showcasing the cultural relationship between the UAE and South Korea, presenting a thorough narrative of the Emirati visual arts evolution. He underscored its importance for reinforcing the Special Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

Proximities will remain open to the public until March 29, 2026, featuring over 110 artworks by prominent artists, including Hassan Sharif and Jumairy, documenting five decades of artistic progress in the Emirates.

Choi Eunju, General Director of SeMA, expressed pride in hosting this significant presentation of Emirati contemporary art and highlighted its potential to forge deeper cultural bonds between the two nations.

Co-curated by Maya El Khalil and Eunju Kim, the exhibition is divided into thematic sections exploring memory, identity, and transformation, offering varied insights on how proximity influences artistic narratives.

The exhibition is complemented by a public program of discussions and artist dialogues, marking the next step in a promising three-year partnership between ADMAF and SeMA, aimed at deepening cultural connections through shared artistic endeavors.