SHARJAH ART MUSEUM
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Museum dedicated to contemporary art, exhibiting original works by Arab and Western artists.
Opened in 1997, the most prestigious art gallery in the Emirates, soon to be rivalled by the international museums under construction in Abu Dhabi, is hidden away on the Corniche, behind Old Souk and the historic buildings of Arts Area. Once in front of it, one wonders how an architect dared to plant such an imposing structure in such an urbanized area. Orientalist painters of the 18th and 19th centuries are featured here, offering us a journey to the Maghreb and Egypt: landscapes, scenes of daily life and portraits follow one another and recreate a gentle oriental atmosphere with artists such as Abdulqader Al Rais, Louay Kayali, Bashir Sinwar, Faiq Hassan, Mohammed Yusuf and Ismail Fatah Al-Turk. But the museum's primary focus is on contemporary art, and Arab and Western artists find a space here to exhibit their work, original works on sometimes heterogeneous media. On the first floor and in the fourth wing, and until the end of May 2023, do not miss the outstanding paintings of the Barjeel Art Foundation of the collector and founder Sultan Al Qassemi, a specialist in modern art in the Middle East, teacher and journalist. A library containing over 4,000 art books in Arabic, English and other languages can also be visited. Immediate lesson: known for its conservative leanings, Sharjah dares to present bold cultural expressions. A highly recommended visit to the temple of the famous Biennale organized by the Art Foundation.