Manar Abu Dhabi has revealed the artist line-up for the second edition. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the 2025 edition will feature 15 artists and collectives across four locations in the Emirate: Jubail Island, Souq Al Mina and in Al Ain along trails through Al Qattara and Al Jimi Oases.
Curated by artistic director Khai Hori, and co-curated by Alia Zaal Lootah, Munira Al Sayegh and assistant curator Mariam Alshehhi, the theme entitled The Light Compass will explore the medium of light as a guide in a directional or an abstract sense.
Participating artists include:
Christian Brinkmann
DRIFT
Encor Studio
Ezequiel Pini (a.k.a. Six N. Five)
Iregular
Kirsten Berg
Lachlan Turczan
Pamela Poh
Shaikha Al Mazrou
KAWS
Khalid Shafar
Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
Abdulla Al Mulla
Ammar Al Attar
Maitha Hamdan
This year Jubail Island will become the anchor for Manar Abu Dhabi, hosting 15 installations throughout the mangroves, including Pamela Poh’s steel structure with glass spheres entitled EDEN (2025), plus an expansive transforming land art installation, CONTINGENT OBJECT (2025), by Shaikha Al Mazrou, as well as four of Iregular’s interactive installations, which feature artificial intelligence. Works by Ezequiel Pini (a.k.a. Six N. Five), Christian Brinkmann, Kirsten Berg, Lachlan Turczan will feature on the island, and multidisciplinary studio DRIFT will install a dome-like structure, UNFOLD (2025), which transforms biometric data from visitors into flowers and soundscapes, as well as WHISPERS (2025) and WIND OF CHANGE (2025) that respond to the environment.
Souq Mina will feature KAWS: HOLIDAY Abu Dhabi with the artist’s signature COMPANION holding an illuminated moon.
Manar Abu Dhabi extends for the first time to Al Ain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two oases of Al Qattara and Al Jimi will include works by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Khalid Shafar, Ammar Al Attar, Maitha Hamdan, Abdulla Al Mulla and Christian Brinkmann.
Manar Abu Dhabi will take place in Al Ain from 1 November until 4 January 2026 and in Abu Dhabi from 15 November until 4 January 2026.
