Sharjah Art Foundation Unveils Exciting Autumn 2025 Programme Featuring Major Exhibitions And New Initiatives

The Sharjah Art Foundation has unveiled its Autumn 2025 programme, featuring a variety of exhibitions and events. Highlights include the first solo exhibitions in the region by artists Afra Al Dhaheri, Leda Catunda, and Rachid Koraïchi. Additionally, there will be a significant display of works from the Foundation’s collection at Kalba Ice Factory. New initiatives include a photography gallery in Al Manakh and the opening of Al Majarrah Park.

Afra Al Dhaheri's exhibition will kick off the season, inviting audiences to explore themes of time through her mixed media works. These pieces experiment with repetition and layering to create unique textures. Meanwhile, Leda Catunda's exhibition will showcase her vibrant haptic works from the 1980s onward. This presentation is co-organised with Halle für Kunst Steiermark in Graz and will travel to Austria in June 2026.

Rachid Koraïchi’s exhibition spans five decades of his work, delving into signs and symbols from various languages and cultures. His installations draw inspiration from Islamic mysticism, offering a multifaceted exploration of these themes. The Kalba Ice Factory will host a large-scale presentation of works from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection for the first time since its restoration.

November marks the launch of two significant projects by the Foundation. In Al Manakh, a new photography gallery opens in a repurposed telecommunications building. The inaugural exhibition features an extensive selection of photographs from the Foundation’s collection. Simultaneously, Al Majarrah Park will open near Rain Room Sharjah after being transformed by Superflex in collaboration with Schul landscape architects, KWY.studio, and local residents.

The performing arts season returns this October with Perform Sharjah's fourth edition, expanding across Sharjah and Khorfakkan. This diverse lineup celebrates Sharjah’s cultural richness by connecting people through art in both familiar and unexpected spaces. The eighth edition of Sharjah Film Platform will feature UAE premieres of films nominated by an international committee competing for awards.

The annual art book fair showcases independent bookmaking globally, providing a space for knowledge-sharing and community building. It includes workshops for print and design enthusiasts alongside printed materials by cultural producers who experiment with publishing mediums. Listening sessions, concerts, workshops, and talks are also planned to engage the local community.

Music Events and Future Plans

A diverse group of musicians will perform traditional and experimental music forms while sharing their experiences. A conference on maritime music from the Western Indian Ocean is scheduled for year-end. During Focal Point, two book projects will be launched with more details available closer to event dates.

This comprehensive programme aims to enrich cultural experiences across Sharjah through art exhibitions, performances, film screenings, music events, and educational activities.

With inputs from WAM