Dubai Collection, the emirate’s pioneering institutional art initiative, is set to debut a thought-provoking new exhibition titled Common Grounds at Art Dubai 2025, running from 18 to 20 April at Madinat Jumeirah. Curated by three Zayed University students — Shamsa Al Qubaisi, Maryam Al Zaabi, and Sara Al Sulaimani — under the mentorship of curatorial advisors Dr. Nada Shabout and Magalí Arriola, the exhibition reflects a compelling intersection of academic exploration and cultural heritage.
Launched in 2021 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Collection is a public–private initiative developed by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority in collaboration with Art Dubai Group. With more than 1,000 artworks from 40+ countries, including contributions from 22 Emirati artists and nearly 100 female creators, the Collection is an evolving archive of Dubai’s modern and contemporary visual culture.
A New Generation of Curators Steps Forward
The Common Grounds exhibition emerged from a semester-long course titled Communities, Curatorial Practices, and Collections, taught by Dr. Moya Goosen at Zayed University’s College of Arts and Creative Enterprises. The project invited students to use the Dubai Collection as a foundation for curatorial proposals, resulting in a competitive selection process that ultimately chose Common Grounds for public presentation.
Through a diverse selection of works dating from 1949 to 2024, the exhibition explores the power of art to reveal shared human experiences across cultural and temporal boundaries. Featured artists include Talal Al Najjar, Lamya Gargash, and Juma Al Hajj, among others — each contributing to a visual dialogue around identity, memory, and belonging.
Art as Education, Dialogue, and Legacy
“This exhibition demonstrates the Dubai Collection’s ambition to act not just as an archive, but as a living, educational tool,” said Muna Faisal Al Gurg, Chair of the Dubai Collection Curatorial Committee and CEO of the Museums and Heritage Sector at Dubai Culture. “Common Grounds is a shining example of what can be achieved when young voices are given a platform to share their vision.”
The project also underscores the Collection’s mission to foster dialogue and critical engagement with cultural narratives. According to Benedetta Ghione, Executive Director of Art Dubai, “This exhibition is not about static preservation. It’s about living collections that spark discussion and reflect contemporary values. The students’ input brought new life and relevance to the Collection.”
Janet Bellotto, Dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University, emphasized the transformational impact on students: “It connects academic learning with real-world professional experience, empowering our students to imagine their role within the future of the creative industries.”
A Platform for Emerging Cultural Voices
Dr. Nada Shabout, Regents Professor of Art History at the University of North Texas, noted that the students approached the project with remarkable dedication: “They engaged with the Collection not just as curators, but as storytellers. Their exhibition is grounded in solid research and shaped by meaningful interpretation.”
Echoing this sentiment, Magalí Arriola, Director of Museo Tamayo in Mexico City, added: “Their concept balances intellectual depth with emotional resonance, reminding us of the profound potential of art to connect across differences.”
By presenting Common Grounds at Art Dubai — a global nexus for contemporary art in the region — Dubai Collection reaffirms its commitment to supporting the next generation of cultural leaders while preserving the stories of the city’s diverse communities for audiences around the world.
For more information about Dubai Collection, visit www.dubaicollection.ae
