As the summer heat becomes relentless, finding respite in the cool, contemplative spaces of an art exhibition might be just what you need. For the discerning art enthusiast, MILLE has curated an essential list of exhibitions, spanning from the local to the international, that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling abroad, discovering a new artist in a gallery is, in our opinion, one of the best ways to spend a sunny afternoon. Dive into our selection below and ensure that your summer itinerary includes at least one of these must-see exhibitions.
‘Backbone’ by Salasil, Carbon 12, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
“Backbone” delves into the intricate connections and vulnerabilities of structures that bind and support us, both physically and metaphorically. Running until Aug. 31, the exhibition draws inspiration from the word “سند” in Arabic, which means someone who has your back. “Backbone” examines these concepts through various artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, video, sound, and textiles.
The exhibition invites six artists—Nour Malas, Alia Hamaoui, Malik Thomas Jalil, Kais Dhahifi, Jana Ghalayini, Audrey Large, and Théophile Blandet—who engage in themes of risk and interruption. Malas’s spontaneous gestures transport viewers into endless inner voids, capturing the emotional and confrontational; while Hamaoui’s work, inspired by architectural structures viewed in motion, distorts and builds spaces that reflect our inner worlds.
Jalil’s use of natural materials and delicate textiles crafts feverish narratives of spectral figures, invoking a voyeuristic gaze that traces psychological journeys. Dhahifi integrates industrial aesthetics with engraved aluminum, referencing both ancient knowledge and futuristic technology. Meanwhile, Ghalayini’s work reveals personal introspections, transforming presence into proof of existence via traditional weaving methods. Offering new perspectives on the world and questioning what we consider tangible are Large and Blandet, who challenge the reliability of vision through their exploration of distinct visual languages.
‘Spatial Dialogues’ by teamLAB at ATHR Gallery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
ATHR Gallery’s latest offering is a mesmerizing dialogue between digital art and cultural heritage. In their Middle Eastern debut, the acclaimed art collective teamLAB presents “Spatial Dialogues” at Beit Zenel, a historic gem in Jeddah’s AlBalad district.
Running until Aug. 30, “Spatial Dialogues” is a must-visit for anyone in Jeddah this summer. The exhibition is a curated array of digital works that explore the depth of human emotions and contemporary societal challenges. Drawing heavily from Japanese literary arts—poetry and traditional paintings—the artworks are transformed into immersive, vivid visuals that envelop the viewer. The exhibition text emphasizes the cultural parallels between Arabian and Japanese traditions, particularly their shared reverence for poetry and artistic expression. This confluence invites viewers to discover beauty and understanding through this unified creative lens.
“Long Story Short” at Gypsum Gallery in Cairo, Egypt
Celebrating a decade of artistic endeavor, Gypsum Gallery’s “Long Story Short” is a retrospective group exhibition marking its 10th anniversary. Showcasing works from over 21 artists spanning 2001-2024, the exhibition, which is open until Sept. 2 in Cairo, offers visitors a panoramic view of the gallery’s rich history of creativity and collaboration.
The exhibition presents a diverse array of subjects and mediums—from contemporary mixed media to textiles and paintings—each addressing pertinent themes such as the interplay between the body and its socio-political environment, the construction and deconstruction of architectural narratives, and the politics of memory. This eclectic mix ensures a thought-provoking experience for all visitors.
What’s more, a portion of the exhibition’s proceeds will support Taawon’s Orphan Gaza Care Program, aiding children who have lost parents in the recent conflicts.
“Jameel Prize: Moving Images” at the V&A in London, United Kingdom
Organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in partnership with Art Jameel, the Jameel Prize celebrates the profound influence of Islamic tradition on contemporary culture. This prestigious award recognizes artists and designers whose works are inspired by Islamic design and visual culture, creating a unique blend of historical reverence and modern innovation.
The 7th edition, titled “Moving Images,” brings together a diverse group of artists, including Sadik Kwaish Alfraji, Jawa El Khash, Alia Farid, Zahra Malkani, Khandakar Ohida, Marrim Akashi Sani, and a collective submission by Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, and Hesam Rahmanian. These artists explore a wide range of themes—from domesticity and spirituality to ecology and revolution—through mediums such as film, video, and digital technologies.
This exhibition promises an intimate, immersive experience, reflecting on identity, community, and personal history through film, photography, animation, installation, sound, sculpture, and virtual reality.
This year’s prize saw an open call in 2023, attracting artists who delve into time-based media and digital art forms. The international jury, chaired by V&A Director Tristram Hunt and comprising artists Morehshin Allahyari and Ajlan Gharem, curator Sadia Shirazi, and academic Laura U. Marks, will announce the winner on Nov. 27, 2024. Following this, the finalists’ works will be exhibited at the V&A from Nov. 30 to March 16, 2025. The exhibition will then tour globally, including a notable stop at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah in 2025.
“Lessons of the Hour” by Isaac Julien at MoMA in New York, United States
Isaac Julien’s “Lessons of the Hour” offers an immersive portrait of Frederick Douglass, the legendary abolitionist who escaped from chattel slavery in 1838 and became one of the most influential figures of the 19th century. This video installation, spanning 10 screens, weaves a non-linear narrative that melds Douglass’s life and work with excerpts from his speeches, literary works, and personal correspondence.
Douglass, the most photographed American of his era, understood the power of portraiture in challenging racist stereotypes and advancing civil rights. Julien’s work captures this insight, highlighting Douglass’s visionary use of imagery to promote freedom and equality.
For the first time, historical objects directly related to “Lessons of the Hour” will be displayed alongside the installation. These include albumen silver print portraits of Douglass, pamphlets of his speeches, first editions of his memoirs, and a facsimile of a rare manuscript detailing his thoughts on photography. A specially designed wallpaper composed of period newspaper clippings, broadsides, magazine illustrations, and scrapbook pages will also be featured, offering a rich historical context.
Running from Nov. 30 to March 16, 2025, at MoMA, “Lessons of the Hour” reveals how Douglass’s ideas about citizenship, democracy, and human dignity remain timeless. This exhibition is a profound exploration of history and its enduring relevance, making it a must-see for anyone in New York.
Zanele Muholi, Tate Modern, London, United Kingdom
Renowned for their deeply impactful photography, Zanele Muholi’s work has captured global attention and acclaim. This major survey, featuring over 260 photographs, spans the full breadth of their career, offering an unparalleled insight into their visual activism.
Muholi, who identifies as a visual activist, has been documenting and celebrating the lives of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer, and intersex communities since the early 2000s. Their work powerfully portrays moments of love and intimacy alongside stark images that reflect the ongoing violence and prejudice faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, despite the promises of South Africa’s 1996 constitution.
In the series “Only Half the Picture,” Muholi juxtaposes tender moments with intense, haunting images that speak to traumatic experiences. “Faces and Phases” features portraits where each participant directly engages the viewer, their unwavering gaze challenging onlookers to acknowledge their presence and humanity. This growing archive documents a community courageously living their truth in the face of oppression.
Other significant works include “Brave Beauties,” celebrating non-binary individuals and trans women who have triumphed in Miss Gay Beauty pageants, and “Being,” which offers tender, stereotype-defying portraits of couples. Muholi’s ongoing series “Somnyama Ngonyama” (“Hail the Dark Lioness”) turns the camera inward, with self-portraits that confront issues of labor, racism, Eurocentrism, and sexual politics.
Building on the artist’s 2020-21 exhibition at Tate Modern, this survey will include new works produced since then, continuing to expand the powerful narrative of Muholi’s visual activism.
