Creative hub housed in two converted industrial warehouses has hosted 18 exhibitions and showcased the works of more than 400 local and regional artists and designers in its first three years. Coinciding with its third anniversary, Warehouse421 gives details of ‘Architecture of Loneliness’, a new exhibition co-curated with Gulf Photo Plus to open on 15 December.

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 19 November 2018 – Today marks three years since the opening of Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi’s historic Mina Zayed.  In that time, the Art and creative hub has hosted 18 individual exhibitions and showcased the talents of more than 400 local and regional artists and designers.  It has also hosted a wide range of cultural programs including talks, film screenings, performances, and workshops.    

In its first three years, a key goal of Warehouse421 has been to use its exhibitions and the programming that surrounds them to encourage greater public participation in the arts, culture and creative activities. Through its monthly programing, Warehouse421 has hosted more than 60 hands-on workshops, often in partnership with local organisations, providing opportunities for members of the public to gain experience in a diverse range of creative disciplines, from traditional arts and crafts to digital design and photography.  Warehouse421 has also hosted many dedicated workshops and events for children and families, including introductions to the use of colours, shapes, basic crafts and storytelling.

Faisal Al Hassan, Manager of Warehouse421, said “Having been with Warehouse421 since the beginning, it’s both a thrilling and humbling experience to look back on our achievements over the past three years. I’d like to extend my gratitude to all of the organisations, galleries, and artists we have partnered with throughout our journey.”

Coinciding with its third anniversary, Warehouse421 is also proud to launch a newly-commissioned exhibition called ‘Architecture of Loneliness’ that has been co-curated with Gulf Photo Plus.  The co-curated exhibition marks an important milestone for Warehouse421 and potentially signals a more hands-on approach to the commissioning and curation of content for the space in the future. 

Al Hassan added, “Our space has matured and developed in line with the evolution of the local creative scene, and with the opening of our first commissioned exhibition, ‘Architecture of Loneliness’, Warehouse421 continues to expand its reach and support of the arts. The themes explored in this exhibition provide an interesting reflection on the Mina Zayed area that surrounds our space, which, like the urban areas explored in the exhibition, is going through a period of change.”

Co-curated by Warehouse421 and long-term collaborators Gulf Photo Plus, ‘Architecture of Loneliness’ is a photography exhibition that explores the UAE’s shifting urban landscapes, and how these affect the experience of its inhabitants. The bodies of work selected examine feelings of solitude, shaped by the nation’s city planning, governance, and architecture. The images presented in the exhibition focus on abandoned spaces that once were thriving centres, the development of projects at various stages, and the manifestations of the ideologies that motivate the growth and development of global cities. The exhibition is accompanied by the publication of an art book cataloguing the artists’ work, together with a collection of reflective essays and two specially commissioned poems.

Al Hassan continued, “We’ve been working closely with Gulf Photo Plus to develop our first commissioned exhibition for almost a year, and are delighted to see this project come to life. After exploring a number of avenues, we were able to narrow the focus to one specific topic, which we feel the resulting exhibition addresses in a thought provoking and innovative way. ‘Architecture of Loneliness’ features the work of UAE-based artists, reflecting Warehouse421’s ongoing commitment to supporting local creatives and highlighting regional themes. We will continue to seek out new ideas and develop programs that provide fresh opportunities for the Abu Dhabi community to engage with art and culture on a deeper level. I look forward to many more exciting years ahead as the nation’s evolving creative landscape continues to go from strength to strength.”

For full details on Warehouse421’s upcoming schedule of exhibitions, workshops and cultural events, please visit www.warehouse421.ae