Seven UAE-based artists have been selected from over 300 submissions to participate in a group exhibition opening June 11 at JD Malat Gallery in Downtown Dubai, running through July 1, 2026. The artists—Ahmed Emad, Anila Ashraf, Camelia Mohebi, Elizaveta Pugacheva, Samo Shalaby, Sasan Nasernia, and Yousif Albadi—represent diverse backgrounds and work in painting, sculpture, and mixed-media installations exploring identity, memory, materiality, and cultural exchange. The exhibition is part of "Made in the UAE," a curatorial initiative launched in October 2025 by JD Malat Gallery to identify and support artists contributing to the UAE's cultural landscape.
This initiative matters because it provides a dedicated platform for emerging and mid-career artists living in the UAE, reflecting the country's multicultural society and rapidly evolving art scene. The competitive selection process, judged by a panel of prominent regional figures including Zina Khair, Roxane Zand, Ali Mohammadioun, and Jean-David Malat, underscores the growing institutional support for contemporary art in the Emirates and signals Dubai's increasing importance as a global creative hub.