UAE art guide: 11 exhibitions to see, from board games at Louvre Abu Dhabi to African art at Efie Gallery

Art events continue to thrive across the United Arab Emirates this summer, with galleries and cultural institutions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah offering a diverse array of exhibitions. Among the standout showcases is A Board Game Adventure at Louvre Abu Dhabi, which traces the evolution of board games such as chess, Mancala, Ludo and Carrom through history and their continued relevance today. Meanwhile, Khali Balak Men RISO at Tashkeel celebrates the unique qualities of risograph printing, highlighting the role of experimentation and collaboration in shaping contemporary artistic output. In Sharjah, Body Quotidian at the Sharjah Art Foundation features recent works by Laila Majid and Inaam Zafar, exploring themes of identity and corporeality. The list includes 11 exhibitions, each reflecting different facets of artistic practice in the UAE. One of these is Interoception, a solo exhibition by Emirati artist Juma Al Haj, presented at Iris Projects. The exhibition, curated by Shamma Al Mheiri, delves into how moments of crisis are transformed into artistic expression. It takes its name from the body’s ability to sense internal states and investigates the emotional and psychological effects of navigating periods of uncertainty. Developed in response to missile attacks reported in the UAE in early 2026, the exhibition documents Al Haj’s return to painting as a form of coping with fear, anxiety and disruption. His works feature layered surfaces, fragmented text and gestural mark-making, translating personal experiences into abstract forms that capture broader sentiments of collective unease and resilience. Al Haj’s practice often incorporates journaling, writing and sensory experiences as methods of self-reflection. Some of the pieces in Interoception were created immediately after the attacks and later expanded into a larger body of work that serves as a visual record of a time marked by instability. While grounded in a specific historical moment, the exhibition extends beyond its immediate context to explore questions of memory, embodiment and how individuals internalize crises. The result is a deeply personal yet universally resonant examination of how emotional experiences can be rendered visually. Another notable exhibition is Khali Balak Men RISO at Tashkeel, which showcases the versatility and charm of risograph printing. Curated by Ibrahim Zaki, the group exhibition brings together artists and designers who have experimented with the technique through workshops, individual projects and collaborative efforts. Risograph printing is recognized for its vibrant colors, textured grain and irregular alignment, with these imperfections becoming integral parts of each final piece. The exhibition presents a variety of formats, including posters, prints, cards and unconventional designs, emphasizing the tactile and unpredictable nature of the medium. The show also examines how risograph printing can lead to innovative approaches in image creation, narrative structure and reproduction. By focusing on the interaction between ink, paper and machinery, the exhibition encourages viewers to appreciate the aesthetic value of technical constraints. Participating artists include Ahmed Mansour, Aysha Saif Al Hemrani Al Shamsi, Bassem Boules, Dina Saadi, Ibrahim Zaki, Mariam Abbas, Mohannad Orabi, Nasir Nasrallah, Sara Baali and Weam Ali. The exhibition runs until August 21 in Dubai. In Sharjah, Seeing Ourselves at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation offers a student-driven photographic project that captures the lived experiences of Emirati youth. Developed over a year through a partnership with the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises at Zayed University, the exhibition gives young photographers the opportunity to document their perspectives on life in the UAE. This initiative underscores the growing role of emerging voices in shaping the nation’s cultural narrative through visual storytelling.