Fictional Landscapes: Women Artists Redefine the World at Foundry, Downtown Dubai

This winter, Downtown Dubai’s Foundry opens its doors to Fictional Landscapes, a compelling group exhibition exploring the intersections of identity, migration, and social change. From 9th November to 15th December 2024, the show brings together the work of 28 women artists from South Asia, the Middle East, and post-Soviet countries, offering a rich collection of stories told through textiles, paintings, video installations, and performance pieces. The unrepresented and independent artists presents unique perspectives on the landscapes they inhabit—spaces that exist not just in geography but also in the emotional, political, and cultural realms.

At the core of this exhibition lies a reimagining of landscapes—not just as natural terrains but as entire art spaces shaped by personal and collective memory. These works offer reflections on belonging, displacement, transformation, and the ongoing impact of migration on individual lives. The exhibition invites viewers to immerse themselves in narratives where public and personal spaces overlap, blurring boundaries and reshaping our understanding of the world around us.

Among the featured artists are Irina Nakhova and Oksana Mas, renowned for their work on identity and memory, which has appeared at the Venice Biennale. Emerging UAE-based talents like Sara Masinaei and Sophiya Khwaja join them, offering intimate perspectives on home, displacement, and personal identity. The exhibition also highlights the contributions of Anna Afonina, Almagul Menlibayeva, and Fatima Uzdenova, whose works challenge patriarchal systems and explore the interplay between political realities and social change. These diverse voices create a compelling dialogue, connecting personal stories to larger cultural conversations through an array of artistic mediums.

Beyond the Gallery Walls

Fictional Landscapes is not confined to the walls of the gallery; it invites its guests to reflect upon their environment and the way art is influenced by the urban environment. The exhibition extends its conversation to the streets of Dubai and its ever-changing landscape. The artworks featured in this exhibition explore gender, migration, and politics, prompting viewers to question how these themes shape both personal lives and larger social movements. Through immersive media, tactile installations, and conceptual performances, visitors are drawn into a dialogue between public and private spaces. The exhibition suggests that landscapes are not just backdrops to human experience but active players in shaping identity and society.

Foundry Dubai’s Evolving Art Scene

Foundry Dubai is a is hybrid progressive art space, located in Boulevard Crescent, has quickly become a creative hub for regional and global talent, known for its innovative blend of gallery spaces, co-working environments, and cultural programming. The space aims to foster artistic exchange, bridging different perspectives through exhibitions like Fictional Landscapes. It offers a platform where local creatives and international voices meet, underscoring Dubai’s ambition to become a global arts destination.

As part of Emaar Properties’ portfolio, Foundry Downtown Dubai reflects the company’s commitment to integrating culture and the local creative community into its developments. Emaar, known for creating landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera, supports initiatives that promote artistic expression and collaboration. Foundry exemplifies this vision by building spaces that nurture creativity, aligning with Dubai’s Creative Economy Strategy to expand art tourism and position the city as a leading destination for culture and innovation.

Connecting Through Stories

At a time when migration, memory, and identity dominate global conversations, Fictional Landscapes offers an artistic lens through which to explore these themes. By highlighting both established and emerging voices, the exhibition provides a platform for personal stories to enter a larger cultural dialogue. It emphasizes the evolving nature of contemporary art within Dubai’s evolving cultural scene and its ability to create connections across diverse audiences.

The artists use their work to reflect on the complexities of gender and politics, creating pieces that resonate with viewers on both personal and societal levels. As a hybrid progressive art space, the exhibition suggests that art can act as a bridge between individual experiences and collective histories, encouraging culture enthusiasts and audiences to reflect on their own place within these narratives.

Mark Your Calendar

Fictional Landscapes offers an immersive experience that will leave a lasting impression. Whether you're an art enthusiast or someone curious about new perspectives, this exhibition provides an opportunity to engage deeply with stories that transcend cultural boundaries.

Running from 9th November to 15th December 2024 at Foundry, Downtown Dubai, the Fictional Landscapes promises to be a highlight of the city's cultural calendar. Explore the works, reflect on their themes, and enjoy the vibrant surroundings of Downtown Dubai—because some journeys are too meaningful to miss.