Art Jameel, a not-for-profit organisation that supports arts, education and heritage in the Middle East, announced today, that they are launching a multi-year commission’s programme.
The Art Jameel Commissions is open to artists from or based in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, as well as those from around the world with an interest in and familiarity with these regions. This initiative builds on Art Jameel’s longstanding interest in supporting artists in creating create new public works.
The programme spans a three-year cycle, anchored at the forthcoming Jameel Arts Centre. It will be starting with a 2018 sculpture commission, which focuses on figures using light technologies. The following two editions will consider a research and lecture series (in 2019) and drawing and painting (in 2020).
For the inaugural edition, artists are invited to create pieces to the concept and form of light, and also in a way that is complementary to the building and environment of the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai. The project encourages artists to consider the role of light in a dynamic urban setting and to reflect upon the ways in which artists and architects have embraced the medium.
The submission of applications deadline will be by 11.59pm UAE time on November 21, 2017. An international jury will select three shortlisted artists before announcing the winner in February 2018.
The jury includes writer and curator Shumon Basar; independent curator and art historian Reem Fadda; James Lingwood, Co-director, Artangel; Elvira Dyangani Ose, Senior Curator at Creative Time and Lecturer in Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London; and Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President, Sharjah Art Foundation; plus representatives of Art Jameel.
The winning artist will receive a production budget of $70,000, as well as support from a network of architectural, engineering and technical experts.
Art Jameel has an extensive track record of working with artists to produce and exhibit works in public spaces. In collaboration with Jeddah Municipality, for example, Art Jameel founded the open-air Jeddah Sculpture Museum, restoring and showcasing major sculptures in a public park on the Corniche in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; recent new commissions include a major outdoor work by Maha Malluh.
Antonia Carver, Director of Art Jameel, said, “Art Jameel aims to support artists in the development of their practice and the new commissions programme allows us to do just that. With its focus on light technologies and mandate to create a truly public work, the inaugural ‘Art Jameel Commissions: Sculpture’ encourages artists to explore new media and reach broad audiences outside of the traditional gallery space. This programme is an exciting way for us to continue building upon Art Jamel’s strong history of exhibitions, educational initiatives, institutional partnerships and community outreach and encourage artists’ practices in, from and connected to the region.”
The new work awarded under the inaugural ‘Art Jameel Commissions: Sculpture’ programme will be revealed at the Jameel Arts Centre on the Dubai Creek, at its grand opening in the winter of 2018.
Full details on Art Jameel Commissions: Sculpture, including details on eligibility criteria and processes, can be found here.
