The exhibition brings together painting, sculpture, and performance in a poignant exploration of identity
In the heart of Abu Dhabi’s vibrant arts scene, a transformative journey is unfolding.
Maitha Abdalla: Between Metamorphosis and Reality, now on view at the Cultural Foundation until 30 August, is more than a solo exhibition; it’s an immersive experience into the multilayered world of one of the UAE’s most compelling contemporary artists.
Curated under the aegis of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the exhibition brings together painting, sculpture, and performance in a poignant exploration of identity, transformation, and storytelling.
Maitha Abdalla, a multidisciplinary Emirati artist, is no stranger to pushing the boundaries of creative expression.
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Her work weaves together strands of folklore, mythology, and psychological inquiry, creating dreamlike spaces where fantasy meets reality and the personal intersects with the collective.
With a practice that spans film, photography, drawing, painting, and live performance, Abdalla is both storyteller and performer; embedding her physical presence into every aspect of her creation.
Walking through the exhibition, visitors encounter figures caught in intimate, often claustrophobic, domestic settings; silent witnesses to themes of vulnerability, confinement, and self-discovery.
These characters, rendered with layers of oil, acrylic, and gestural charcoal marks applied directly by hand, seem suspended between worlds.
Abdalla’s technique is visceral and expressive, transforming each canvas into a site of physical performance and psychological depth.
What makes Between Metamorphosis and Reality so compelling is its constant oscillation between abstraction and representation.
The exhibition invites viewers to let go of fixed narratives and embrace fluidity; of form, identity, and meaning. In Abdalla’s universe, the lines between memory and myth blur, and the self is never static but always in flux.
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Complementing the exhibition is a must-attend artist talk on 28 May, from 6.30 pm to 8 pm, featuring Maitha Abdalla in conversation with Munira Al Sayegh, renowned curator and founder of Dirwaza Curatorial Lab.
The dialogue promises to offer rich insights into Abdalla’s artistic evolution, her recent residency at the Cultural Foundation, and her exploration of themes such as birth, death, guilt, and metamorphosis.
Expect a deep dive into the artist’s process and the conceptual frameworks that inform her work; from the ritualistic act of creation to the complex interplay between language, the body, and emotional expression.
For audiences eager to explore the emotional and cultural dimensions of contemporary Emirati art, this conversation is not to be missed.
Maitha Abdalla: Between Metamorphosis and Reality is an invitation to witness transformation, both personal and collective, through the power of art.
It’s a powerful reminder of how artistic expression can spark dialogue, foster cultural understanding, and reflect the inner landscapes of a society in motion.
Don’t miss your chance to witness this extraordinary artistic journey; on display now at the Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi, through 30 August.
Free. Until 30 August, Cultural Foundation Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit abudhabiculture.ae
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