Abu Dhabi, UAE- 21 January 2022:   HE Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, inaugurated the Portrait of a Nation II: Beyond Narratives exhibition today as part of Abu Dhabi Festival, which is held under Under the patronage of HH Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, in the presence of HE Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, member of the Executive Council of the emirate of Abu Dhabi; HE Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to His Highness the President and Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and HE Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and Founder and Artistic Director of Abu Dhabi Festival, along with Ambassadors, UAE officials, participating artists and notable figures in the nation’s arts and culture landscape.

HE Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan toured the exhibition, which opens to public today and runs until the 16th of April at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, and viewed the artworks and installations on display in the exhibition, 15 of which were commissioned by Abu Dhabi Festival for the exhibition, which together reflect the past five decades. 

At the core of the exhibition are more than 100 key artworks, including 15 special commissions, covering the work of over 62 pivotal artists, ranging from founders of the Emirati art scene to today’s emerging generation. Over the course of 3 months, the exhibition will host panel discussions, workshops, and a variety of events with artists and students. 

The exhibition features prominent loans from esteemed partners, including the Barjeel Art Foundation, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, UAE Unlimited, HE Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, The National Pavilion UAE La Biennale di Venezia, The Farjam Collection, HE AbdulRahman Al Owais, The Cleveland Clinic, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah Museum, Art Jameel, NYU Abu Dhabi, Ramin Salsali Museum and the Samawi collection.

In conjunction with the exhibition and as part of the Composer’s Platform, which helps promote the work of Arab composers and musiciajs worldwide, Abu Dhabi Festival is presenting a series of new albums released within a dedicated installation. 
Held under the theme “Crafting the Emirates State of Mind: Innovation, Creation &Joy”, Abu Dhabi Festival, in its 19th edition, is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan and supported by lead partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and energy partner GS Energy. Abu Dhabi Festival 2022 encompasses over 1,000 participating artists from around the world to present more than 300 performances and events. The 19th edition will also include two world tours and17 world premieres.

The 2022 Abu Dhabi Festival programme is part of the contribution that the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation makes to the UAE capital’s designation as a UNESCO City of Music.