Rizq Art Initiative (RAi) has opened "Under the Same Sky," an exhibition at its gallery on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, running until July 31. Curated by Meena Vari, who moved to the UAE from Bangalore after two decades, the show brings together 20 UAE-based artists whose works respond to the country through memory, landscape, architecture, material culture, and everyday observation. Featured artists include Emirati Sara Al Sulaimani, Pakistani Rabila Kidwai, Palestinian-American Tala Atrouni, and Maitha Al Omaira. The exhibition deliberately avoids a single narrative, instead allowing each artist to explore personal connections to the UAE, whether through the Abu Dhabi Corniche, domestic scenes like drying clothes, or tatreez embroidery reflecting identity.
This exhibition matters because it captures the layered, multicultural identity of the UAE through the lens of both long-term residents and newer arrivals, reflecting the country's character as a place shaped by movement and constant change. By highlighting diverse perspectives—from Emirati artists to those who moved to the UAE decades ago—"Under the Same Sky" offers a nuanced portrait of belonging that resonates in a nation where many residents' memories are formed in rapidly evolving urban landscapes. The show underscores how contemporary art can articulate shared cultural markers and personal histories in a globalized world.