Richard Mille and Louvre Abu Dhabi return for the fifth edition of Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize. Established in 2021, the exhibition has quickly become a defining platform for contemporary art in the region and beyond, reflecting both Richard Mille and Louvre Abu Dhabi’s shared focus on artistic innovation and cultural exchange.
Opening beneath the striking dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi on October 11th and running until December 28th 2025, this year’s exhibition will present newly commissioned works responding to the theme Shadows, curated by Swiss-Japanese curator Sophie Mayuko Arni. The concept explores the interplay of light and absence, visibility and concealment, and the layered dimensions of memory, identity, and transformation. More than 400 proposals were received from artists across the UAE, the wider Gulf, Japan, and beyond.
The jury is led by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Founder of UAE Unlimited, and a distinguished patron and collector who sits on the boards of the British Museum and Centre Pompidou, serves on the panel. He is joined by Dr Guilhem André, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, whose scholarship has been instrumental in shaping the institution’s vision, and Maya Allison, Founding Executive Director of the Art Galleries and Chief Curator at New York University Abu Dhabi. Also serving are the acclaimed Japanese curator Yuko Hasegawa, Visiting Professor at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of
Management and former Director of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, and Sophie Mayuko Arni, the Swiss-Japanese curator and founder of Global Art Daily, recognised for her work fostering artistic exchange between Japan and the Gulf.
Six artworks by seven artists were selected, each offering a distinctive cultural lens and creative approach:
- Jordanian-Palestinian architect, artist, and researcher Ahmed Al-Aqra investigates space and philosophy through multidisciplinary practice, often integrating architecture as both form and concept.
- Emirati artist and musician Jumairy creates digital performances that collapse the boundaries between emotion, reality, and virtuality.
- Japanese artist Ryoichi Kurokawa is celebrated for immersive audiovisual installations that unite sound and image in meticulously crafted compositions.
- Kuwaiti-born, Pakistani artist Hamra Abbas reinterprets Islamic art traditions to explore faith, gender, and memory shaped by her transnational experience.
- Japanese painter, filmmaker, and poet Rintaro Fuse reflects on urban isolation and disconnection in the digital age.
- The architectural duo Takuma Yokomae from Japan and Dr Ghali Bouayad from Morocco, known as YOKOMAE et BOUAYAD, combine Tokyo and Marrakesh design traditions through experimental exploration of form, pattern, and technology.
Together, these artists demonstrate the breadth and depth of contemporary creativity across the Gulf, Japan, and beyond.
Peter Harrison, CEO Richard Mille EMEA, said: “Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize have become a key part of our ongoing support for contemporary art. The expansion into Japan reflects our shared vision with Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Department of Culture and Tourism to build meaningful connections between artists and audiences across different contexts. The quality and thoughtfulness of this year’s proposals show a growing maturity in the regional and global art scene and a strong appetite for dialogue through art.”
Installed beneath the dome of Louvre Abu Dhabi, these pieces will form a compelling showcase that reflects the richness of contemporary practice and the universal resonance of the theme of shadows. Tilly Harrison, Managing Director of Richard Mille Middle East, adds: “What sets the Richard Mille Art Prize apart is the complexity of its curatorial framework and the calibre of the jury who shape it. By inviting perspectives from the Gulf, Japan and beyond, the Prize creates a dialogue that is both locally grounded and globally relevant. This year’s shortlist reflects not only artistic talent but also a depth of research and critical engagement that will resonate with audiences around the world.”
The Prize’s expansion to Japan represents a significant development, reflecting both the ambition of its founders and the vision of curator Sophie Mayuko Arni, who emphasised the importance of cross-cultural dialogue. She said: “I am deeply honored to curate this year’s edition of Art Here and thrilled to see such positive response from artists across the region and Japan. The theme of Shadows allowed for wide interpretations of outdoor installations, and the sheer number of proposals received speaks volumes about the relevance of Art Here and the Richard Mille Art Prize at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Expanding the geographical reach of the Prize may come with challenges, but fostering cross-cultural understanding sits at the heart of the museum’s mission and provides artists with new horizons to dream and imagine. From many strong submissions, shortlisting the six commissioned artworks was a very difficult task. I would like to thank the stellar jury for a joint effort to reach the final selection.”
Since its inception, the Richard Mille Art Prize aims to champion artists with the opportunity to develop new works in dialogue with the architectural brilliance of Louvre Abu Dhabi and engage a diverse global audience. Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, noted: “Now in its fifth edition, Art Here continues to grow as a platform for dialogue and discovery, bringing together emerging artistic voices from across the region and, for the first time, Japan. With the support of our valued partner Richard Mille and our esteemed jury, we are proud to share that the calibre and number of proposals received this year reflect the region’s growing creative momentum and the expanding reach of the initiative. This announcement reaffirms Louvre Abu Dhabi’s commitment to championing contemporary art and fostering creative exchange across borders, rooted within the dynamic cultural landscape of Saadiyat Cultural District.”
Press release from Richard Mille and Louvre Abu Dhabi
Image: Louvre Abu Dhabi. Detail. Photography by Mohamed Somji © Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
