Public Matter

The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial: Public Matter (2024-2025) has transformed Abu Dhabi into an emirate-wide celebration of art, culture and community. The exhibition features site-specific installations by more than 70 artists from the UAE and around the world, including 40 new commissions, thoughtfully exhibited throughout the downtown areas of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Public Matter explores the concept of "public" and defining it within the context of Abu Dhabi. Understanding what constitutes public spaces is crucial to comprehend the unique characteristics of the city. In a place where the natural environment dominates and determines the ways, locations, and times at which people gather, it is essential to question and localise what it means to be public. 

Participating artists: Abdullah Al Saadi, Afra Al Dhaheri, Alex Ayed, Alia Farid, Allora & Calzadilla, Anga Art Collective, Arquitectura Expandida, Atelier Aziz Alqatami, Athar Jaber, Ayesha Hadhir, Azza Al Qubaisi, Bik Van der Pol, Christopher Joshua Benton, Daniel Buren, Eddie Clemens, Eko Nugroho, Emily Jacir, Farah Al Qasimi, guBuyoBand, Hashel Al Lamki, Henrique Oliveira, Hussein Sharif, Kabir Mohanty, Kader Attia, Khalil Rabah, Latifa Saeed, Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Load na Dito, Lúcia Koch, Majd Alloush, Mircea Cantor, Mobile Academy Berlin, Mohamed Al Astad, Mohammed Al Hawajri, Nathan Coley, Nicholas Galanin, Nnenna Okore, Oscar Murillo, Paweł Althamer, Radhika Khimji, Rami Kashou x Emirati Artisans, Rand Abdul Jabbar, Rawdha Al Ketbi, Rimini Protokoll, Sammy Baloji, Seema Nusrat, Shaikha Al Ketbi, Sophia Balagamwala, SUPERFLEX, Tania Candiani, Tarik Kiswanson, UT-R Studio, Wael Al Awar, Wael Shawky, Yeesookyung, Zeinab Alhashemi 

For more information on Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial eight self-guided routes, public programmes, or to book a tour, please visit paad.ae. The Biennial is free to attend. 

About Public Art Abu Dhabi
Public Art Abu Dhabi is the Department of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)’s new initiative under its ongoing commitment to commissioning public art for the emirate. Integral to this initiative is its community engagement efforts. The initiative advances the creative legacy, cultural infrastructure, liveability, and wellbeing of the UAE capital’s residents through placemaking and collective memory. An investment of over 35 million US dollars is dedicated to the initiative annually, to support the emirate’s wider creative industries through public art.

Press contact: Mandy Sinclair, AMSinclair@dctabudhabi.ae