With the support of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) has launched Proximities, marking the largest and most inclusive exhibition of contemporary visual art from the UAE ever displayed in East Asia, in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art.
The exhibition was inaugurated on December 15, 2025, by Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture, at the Seoul Museum of Art. The ceremony attracted esteemed guests, including top officials from both UAE and South Korea, such as Kim Hea Kyung, Korean Minister of Culture, and other dignitaries like Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, ADMAF Founder, and UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi.
At the opening, Al Qassimi emphasized that the exhibition underscores the UAE's dedication to enhancing international cultural partnerships and fostering creative exchanges with nations worldwide. He expressed pride in the comprehensive showcase of Emirati contemporary art, which spans five decades and features 47 artists, reflecting the rich, diverse, and evolving identity of Emirati art.
He also highlighted that ADMAF’s collaborative efforts are crucial for developing the UAE's cultural and creative sectors, with programs like Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad facilitating significant artistic dialogues with global institutions like the Seoul Museum of Art.
Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo noted that the exhibition delves into various art forms, such as photography and installation, illustrating the transformation of identity and cultural understanding across artistic generations. She stressed that Proximities plays a vital role in connecting Emirati artists with international audiences while encapsulating the experiences of three generations of creatives influenced by the UAE’s rapid cultural evolution.
Ambassador Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi described the show as a profound showcase of the UAE's cultural relations with South Korea, chronicling the development of Emirati visual arts through the works of both pioneering and contemporary artists, thereby reinforcing cultural diplomacy and bilateral relationships.
The exhibition remains open to the public until March 29, 2026, presenting over 110 artworks from 47 artists, including 33 Emirati talents, and highlights five decades of innovation in Emirati art with notable contributions from artists like Hassan Sharif and Nujoom Al Ghanem. This initiative is part of the 23rd iteration of the Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad program.
Choi Eunju, director of the Seoul Museum of Art, expressed pride in hosting this monumental presentation of Emirati contemporary art, which fosters dialogue and transcends cultural barriers, thereby enhancing Seoul's position as a hub for global artistic collaboration.
The exhibition, co-curated by Maya El Khalil and Eunju Kim, features three thematic sections, each developed in partnership with guest curators and addressing themes such as memory and identity. The exhibition includes a series of public discussions and artist presentations, marking a continuous collaboration between ADMAF and SeMA aimed at deepening cultural connections through art and collective creative initiatives.
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