Josh Brendon
Abu Dhabi flaunts a collection of world class art galleries that is bound to leave visitors in awe. Offering a mosaic of the old and the new, you will constantly feel shifted between two worlds.
Art in Arabia goes back all the way to the traditional era and in the Etihad Art Gallery one can enjoy masterpieces from this timeline. Located in the heart of the capital of the UAE, the Etihad Modern Art Gallery severs as a multipurpose hub for culture and colour and showcases an interesting collection of artwork from an array of regional artists such as Khalid Al Najjad, Khavoosh, Ufuc Kobas and Svilen Petrov. The Etihad Modern Art Gallery celebrates the heritage of UAE and frequently organises exhibitions with the intention of promoting this art, history as well as the culture of this emirate. To further reiterate its commitment to the development of the art scene, the gallery hosts a number of art classes throughout the year creating new talent in the process.
Located on the Corniche, one of Abu Dhabi's favourite places, the N2N Gallery is one of the most frequently visited art galleries in the city. A rather new member to the art scene of Abu Dhabi, the N2N showcases a number of modern pieces that hails all the way from Europe as well. In fact, the N2N by nature is a foreign concept that was created within the UAE shores by two Ukrainian art enthusiasts. The gallery showcases over 170 pieces of art most of which are brought to life by Ukrainian artists. 13 different artists have contributed in the finery that can be witnessed at this gallery. Also included in this list are big names such as Spanish pastel master Cesar Estrany and the famous French artist, Christian Jequel. A mosaic of sculpture, graphic art and an array of paintings in a variety of mediums, the exhibits create an intriguing fusion between modernism and realism. Like the Etihad, the N2N also gives back to the art world by hosting art classes where budding artists are taught from great talents.
Even if you are staying at the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara due to your fondness for the Sir Bani Yas Island hotels, you need to make a trip to the Saadiyat Island to witness the beauty that the Salwa Zeidan Gallery has to offer. Vibrant in every sense of the word, the gallery is adorned with a number of paintings that will transport you between places and time zones. For art lovers, this gallery is indeed a treasure-trove of artwork where the best of all worlds converge in a single location. To add to its appeal, the exhibits you find here are not restricted to mere paintings for you also get a number of media presentations, installations, performances and sculptures. Art speaks through many worlds here and the best part is each world is equally alluring.
If there is one Art Gallery that the ladies are sure to fall in love with, it probably is the Gallery One. An interior decorator's paradise, the Gallery One is that place where you can get exclusive pieces of art created by highly talented artists especially designed to decorate homes. Going by a home décor theme, you get a number of ornamental prints that are ideal for homes and abstracts better suited for a workplace.
