Louvre Abu Dhabi Announces Jury And Shortlisted Artists For Art Here 2024 And Richard Mille Art Prize

Louvre Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Swiss watchmaker Richard Mille, has revealed the jury and shortlisted artists for the fourth edition of Art Here 2024 and the Richard Mille Art Prize. This annual event continues to bolster the region's vibrant art scene by providing local and regional artists with a significant platform to showcase their work and broaden their creative horizons.

The jury for this year's edition has been expanded to include North Africa alongside the GCC. It comprises distinguished members from various cultural backgrounds, each offering a unique perspective on the selection process. Returning jurors include H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Founder and Chairman of 'UAE Unlimited', and a board member of both the British Museum and Centre Pompidou for Middle Eastern Art acquisitions.

Guilhem André, Scientific Curatorial and Collection Management Director at Louvre Abu Dhabi, also returns as a juror. New members joining this year are Simon Njami, an independent curator, lecturer, art critic, and novelist; Nujoom Alghanem, an acclaimed Emirati poet, artist, and multi-award-winning film director; and Maya Allison, Founding Director of the Art Gallery and Chief Curator at New York University Abu Dhabi.

This year’s theme is Awakenings. Louvre Abu Dhabi and guest curator Simon Njami invited artists to interpret this theme by translating the concept of openness into visual forms. Openness represents beginnings where possibilities are endless and involves choices that determine one's path. The shortlisted artists will create sculptures or audiovisual installations addressing contemporary questions.

The competition attracted submissions from across the UAE, GCC, North Africa, and beyond. Five exceptional artists from the UAE, Tunisia, and Egypt have been shortlisted from 230 submissions. Their works will be displayed at Louvre Abu Dhabi from 20th September to 15th December 2024. These artists will compete for the prestigious Richard Mille Art Prize along with a US$60,000 cash award.

Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, expressed his enthusiasm about the ongoing partnership with Richard Mille. He stated: "We are delighted to acknowledge our esteemed partnership with Richard Mille for the fourth year, bringing together a distinguished international jury. This collaboration enables the museum to continuously innovate and present new creative themes such as Awakenings."

Rabaté also highlighted that for the first time, their open call extended to North Africa. This expansion underscores their commitment to reaching new geographies while producing and displaying artworks from five shortlisted artists. He added: "This initiative reaffirms our commitment to enriching the region’s cultural ecosystem and our mission to narrate stories from diverse cultures around the globe."

The selected artworks will be showcased at Louvre Abu Dhabi starting 20th September 2024. The exhibition will run until 15th December 2024. This initiative not only supports emerging talent but also enriches cultural dialogue within the region.

By including North Africa in this year's edition, Louvre Abu Dhabi aims to foster greater inclusivity in its artistic endeavours. The competition provides a platform for diverse voices within the art community to be heard.

The event continues to play a crucial role in promoting artistic innovation in the Middle East. It offers artists an opportunity to engage with contemporary themes through their unique perspectives.

The Richard Mille Art Prize remains a significant accolade within the art world. It recognises outstanding contributions by artists who push creative boundaries while addressing pertinent issues through their work.

As these five talented artists prepare their pieces for display at Louvre Abu Dhabi next year, they contribute significantly to a growing narrative of cultural exchange and artistic excellence in the region.

The upcoming exhibition promises to be an engaging display of creativity inspired by this year's theme of Awakenings. Visitors can expect thought-provoking installations that explore openness in various forms.

This initiative highlights Louvre Abu Dhabi's dedication to supporting regional artists while fostering global cultural connections through art exhibitions like Art Here 2024.

With inputs from WAM