Renowned artist Issam Kourbaj has been announced as the curator of Abu Dhabi Art’s 2025 Beyond Emerging Artists (BEA) programme. Known for a practice rooted in memory, displacement and place-making. Kourbaj will mentor three rising UAE-based artists as they develop new work inspired by the cultural and historical depth of Al Ain.
The artists selected for this year’s BFA cohort are Maktoum Marwan Al Maktoum, Alla Abdunabi, and Salmah Al Mansoori. Each artist will be commissioned to create a new, site-responsive piece under Kourbaj’s guidance, culminating in an exhibition that treat Al Ain not just as a place but as a living archive of tradition and human experience.
Reflecting on the selection process, Kourbaj praised the strong field of applicants and the relevance of the chosen artists’ practices. “Many young artists in the region are turning their attention to pressing social, environmental and historical questions. I look forward to working with these three as they respond to Al Ain – not just as a physical space, but as a layered, symbolic terrain,” he said.
Maktoum Marwan Al Maktoum, a multidisciplinary artist, creates narrative-rich works that tap into surrealism, folklore and collective memory. Alla Abdunabi works primarily in sculpture and installation, often exploring the afterlives of objects and material memory. Salmah Al Mansoori’s work spans painting, installation and sculpture, reflecting on themes of loss, identity and the vanishing details of her hometown.
The commissioned works will debut at the Abu Dhabi Art Fair, which will take place from 19–23 November 2025 before travelling to international venues, giving the artists global exposure and further opportunities to engage new audiences.
Through BEA, Abu Dhabi Art reinforces its commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists while connecting UAE-based practices to wider cultural dialogues across the globe.
