Louvre Abu Dhabi & Richard Mille Announce Second Edition of Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2022 and The Richard Mille Art Prize

To mark the museum’s fifth anniversary, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille have announced the second edition of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here exhibition and the Richard Mille Art Prize, which will call on GCC artists (nationals and residents) working in various media to become part of its universal story - all of which will be showcased at the museum’s Forum, a space of interaction and exchange dedicated to contemporary art.

Curated by Reem Fadda, Director of Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation, Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2022 invites artists to propose new or existing artworks that engage with the notions of Icon and Iconic. Submissions will examine how the concept of the icon resonates within contemporary art practices and how it informs new artistic perspectives.

In an increasingly digitised world, the terms ‘icon’ and ‘iconic’ often connect and separate – an icon is at once an object, an image, and a symbol. Its iconic nature is derived from its visual impact on the viewer. For Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2022, artists will be encouraged to re-engage with the icon to revitalise this iconic effect.

Shortlisted artists will showcase their work in the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2022 exhibition, on display from November 2022 until February 2023 in the museum’s Forum. From these shortlisted artists, the jury will select one recipient of The Richard Mille Art Prize 2022. Proposals for the open call may be submitted until 31 July 2022 via the Louvre Abu Dhabi website. 

The 2022 jury members are HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of UAE Unlimited, an art collector and  patron of the Centre Pompidou, the British Museum, and Sharjah Art Foundation; Christine Macel, the chief curator at the Musée national d’art moderne, Centre Pompidou, and an art critic; Hala Wardé, founding architect of HW Architecture , long-term partner of Jean Nouvel and the lead of the Louvre Abu Dhabi project; Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi; and Reem Fadda, Director of the Cultural Foundation and the curator of Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2022.

Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “As part of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s ongoing 5th anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to announce the second edition of Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2022 in partnership with Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille. This year’s exhibition and prize seek to illuminate the notions of ‘Icon’ and ‘Iconic’, complementing the museum’s development and success throughout these past five years. As part of a mutual, long-term commitment with Richard Mille, Louvre Abu Dhabi continues its mission of championing contemporary artistic talent within the UAE and the GCC, while connecting the museum to its territory.”

Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille EMEA, said: “We are honoured to be expanding the Richard Mille Art Prize 2022 opportunity to GCC nationals and residents, as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Louvre Abu Dhabi. Following last year’s impressive roster of artists, this year’s edition of the Richard Mille Art Prize challenges artists to reflect on the powerful terms: Icon and Iconic, advancing the confines of their creativity. We stay committed to supporting regional artists, reinforcing our avid admiration for the world of contemporary art.”

Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “In honour of the museum’s 5th anniversary, Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2022 will invite GCC artists, both nationals and residents, to focus on the notions of ‘Icon’ and ‘Iconic’ by not merely celebrating the past, but rooting and contextualising contemporary art in its present form. Contemporary art is often said to challenge the elevated, iconic status of art. But in Louvre Abu Dhabi, where the human story of our shared experience of objects, images, and symbols is told in all its richness and depth, this relationship is redefined. Under the museum’s dome, contemporary artists are asked to not simply reinterpret or repeat; instead, they are encouraged to re-engage with the icon to revitalise its iconic effect. We are very delighted to introduce the second edition of this extraordinary opportunity in partnership with Richard Mille, celebrating Louvre Abu Dhabi’s ongoing effort to showcase contemporary art and highlight our unceasing dedication to creating a platform for artistic talent.”

With the success of the inaugural edition of Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 and the Richard Mille Art Prize, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Richard Mille continue to foster the region’s booming art scene by giving local artists, such as Bahraini-American artist Nasser Alzayani, winner of the Richard Mille Art Prize 2021, a platform to be seen and heard. Alzayani was one of seven artists shortlisted for the award in October 2021 and showcased his work in the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 exhibition.

For more information about Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2022 and The Richard Mille Art Prize, please visit www.louvreabudhabi.ae/en/Explore/art-here-2022.