Take a dive into the method behind the mastery at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, i.e, in the life of Executive Director Maya Allison
Having recently successfully executed the experimental In Real Time at NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery, Executive Director Maya Allison continues to push boundaries on the daily.
Constantly championing pressing social issues through the lens of art, Maya has ingeniously spearheaded a revolution in the Abu Dhabi community, firmly establishing herself as a though leader in her own right and beyond.
Come spend 5 minutes with the maestro herself!
Tell us a little bit of yourself
My name is Maya Allison. I am the Executive Director of the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery and Chief Curator at NYU Abu Dhabi.
How and when did you move here, and what inspired the move?
I moved here in January 2012, so 12 years ago. I had been coming since 2010 and the challenge of thinking about an entirely new exhibition venue, in the context of Abu Dhabi, is what drew me here.
How has living in Abu Dhabi shaped your sense of belonging and community?
This is a place that has a lot of people, moving here and moving on, and I’ve come to treasure the community that has grown among those of us who have stayed and the community that is from here.
Can you tell us about a particular person in Abu Dhabi who has had a significant impact on your life and why?
There are two people whom I would have to mention. One is His Excellency Zaki Nusseibeh. His vision for what is possible in the arts and culture of the UAE has been part of the fuel that keeps me going and inspires me. Another is all of the artists based in the UAE, who have become dear friends and trusted fellow travelers on a journey of art.
What is your favourite thing about the emirate and why?
I love the combination of the peaceful, oceanside, desert town, where my husband and I are raising our son, and making our home, together, with the incredibly exciting and inspiring projects that I am a part of. Abu Dhabi has a way of nourishing both sides of my life that I haven’t found anywhere else.
A myth about Abu Dhabi that you would like to bust?
That everything is new. Histories exist, even if they are not visible to the naked eye, but also many layers of history exist in the town itself that tells stories of many generations who have come and gone and who will arrive.
Could you share a memorable moment when you felt the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Abu Dhabi community in your own life?
There are far too many for me to pick one. The dinner parties, the casual exchanges when we run into each other at art events, or at the corner store.
Follow Yalla – Abu Dhabi Life for all the latest news across the capital and beyond
