As the UAE’s art scene continues to thrive, this week’s museum and gallery offerings converge on a powerful theme: textiles as living archives of memory, identity, and cultural influence. Across Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai, exhibitions showcase how fabric, thread, and dye are far more than mere materials—they are tools of storytelling, spiritual symbolism, and socio-political commentary. Here’s a closer look at three standout exhibitions currently shaping the cultural conversation in the Emirates.
A Royal Legacy Woven in Cloth: “Kings and Queens of Africa” at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Until June 8 | Louvre Abu Dhabi
This week marks the final opportunity to witness one of the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s most acclaimed exhibitions, Kings and Queens of Africa: Forms and Figures of Power. A landmark collaboration with the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris, the exhibition takes visitors on an immersive journey through the regal heritage of Africa—shedding light on monarchs whose legacy continues to shape the continent’s cultural identity.
Curated by Hélène Joubert, the exhibition features over 300 historical artifacts including intricately embroidered royal garments, ceremonial adornments, thrones, and sacred insignia. These objects, some never before displayed in the Middle East, span various regions and periods, illustrating the diverse expressions of leadership and spiritual authority across African kingdoms.
The exhibition does more than celebrate African royalty—it interrogates the lasting impact of power and tradition through objects imbued with symbolism. From the Ashanti and Yoruba dynasties to the Kingdom of Benin, the pieces speak to generations of rule, resilience, and ritual.
In observance of Ramadan, the museum has extended its hours, offering late-night access until 1:00 AM—allowing visitors to experience the exhibition under the serene glow of the museum’s iconic dome. With its rich visuals and profound storytelling, this show is a must-visit before it closes on June 8.
Textiles as Resistance: “Naseej: Threads of Hope” at Beeah Headquarters, Sharjah
Until June 3 | Beeah Headquarters, Sharjah
In Sharjah, a powerful conversation about culture and empowerment unfolds through Naseej: Threads of Hope. Hosted at the architecturally striking Beeah Headquarters and curated by Fatima Deemas, this exhibition unites craft, activism, and regional artistry. Organized in partnership with the Fatima Bint Mohamed Bin Zayed Initiative, Naseej presents nine handwoven carpets designed by artists from the Gulf and beyond—and intricately woven by women artisans in Kabul, Afghanistan.
What makes Naseej particularly compelling is its emphasis on process. Each carpet reflects months of collaborative effort, where artists conceptualized designs rooted in themes of memory, nature, and hope, and Afghan craftswomen brought them to life using age-old techniques, natural dyes, and ethically sourced wool.
The lineup includes UAE artists such as Juma Al Haj and Nasir Nasrallah, Bahraini designer Sara Kanoo, the Beirut-based collective Bokja, and Honduran-born Adrian Pepe. Through the tactile language of thread and loom, the show highlights textiles as a medium of resistance and renewal—especially for Afghan women facing socio-political instability.
Naseej is not just an art exhibition—it is an act of cultural preservation and global solidarity.
Silken Introspection: “Garden of Murmurs” by Malik Thomas Jalil Kydd at Carbon 12, Dubai
Now Showing | Carbon 12 Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
At Dubai’s Carbon 12, emerging Iraqi-British artist Malik Thomas Jalil Kydd unveils his debut solo exhibition, Garden of Murmurs—a stirring reflection on masculinity, loss, and the complexities of identity. Kydd transforms raw silk into contemplative canvases, hand-stitched and dyed with natural pigments like sage, creating a serene yet emotionally charged atmosphere.
The centerpiece of Kydd’s exhibition is his portrayal of the male figure—rendered at a slightly exaggerated “angel scale”—that traverses themes of intimacy, grief, and transcendence. His materials evoke softness, but his technique—layering oil, pastel, and charcoal—introduces a striking visual tension. The result is a deeply introspective series of works that meditate on what it means to heal, love, and belong.
With each panel, Kydd offers a quiet resistance to chaos, weaving threads of tenderness into a backdrop shaped by diaspora and displacement. The show is a timely contribution to the UAE’s evolving conversation on identity and artistic experimentation.
The Final Thread
Whether through royal attire, carpets of hope, or silk-stretched introspection, these exhibitions collectively affirm one truth: textiles are not merely woven objects, but woven experiences. This week, the UAE invites art lovers, culture seekers, and curious minds to witness the fabric of stories that connect us across time, geography, and meaning.
