Ever wondered how a wind tower’s name became synonymous with Arab art? That’s the story of the Barjeel Art Foundation.
The Barjeel Art Foundation is a non-profit arts organization. It is based right here in Sharjah. Emirati commentator Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi established it in 2010. His aim was to manage and showcase his personal art collection.
The name “Barjeel” comes from the Arabic word for wind tower. These towers are architectural elements that provide natural ventilation. Al-Qassemi began collecting art in 2002. He always intended to share it with the public.
The Barjeel Art Foundation’s collection is vast. It includes over 1000 pieces of modern and contemporary Arab art. The focus is on art by Arab artists worldwide. You will find paintings, sculptures, and installations here.
Between 2013 and 2018, the Barjeel Art Foundation organized 23 exhibitions. These took place in various countries. They included Egypt, the UK, Jordan, and the United States. In May 2018, a semi-permanent exhibition opened at the Sharjah Art Museum.
From 2018 through 2022, an exhibition titled “Taking Shape: Abstraction From the Arab World, 1950s-1980” toured the U.S. It was hosted in New York, Massachusetts, Florida, and Illinois.
Initially, the Barjeel Art Foundation exhibited its collection in Al Qasba. In May 2018, the collection moved to a dedicated wing in the Sharjah Art Museum. The inaugural long-term exhibit was “A Century in Flux.” It occupied 750 square meters.
The Barjeel Art Foundation collaborates with many institutions. These include the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo and the Whitechapel Gallery in England. They also work with the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and Casa Arabe in Spain.
One of the first collaborations was the 2013 exhibition “Terms & Conditions” in Singapore. The Singapore Art Museum borrowed art from Barjeel.
In 2015, Barjeel presented the first showcase of political Arab art in North America. It was at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. The exhibit featured 24 works by 12 Arab artists.
Since May 2018, the Barjeel Art Foundation’s collection has been on display at the Sharjah Art Museum. This is through an agreement with the Sharjah Museums Authority. The long-term exhibition hosts modernist paintings and sculptures.
The Barjeel Art Foundation also has educational initiatives. These include the Barjeel Global Fellowship with the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. The foundation organizes forums like the Abstraction Unframed conference. Barjeel has also published books on Arab art.
The artworks often reflect how Arab artists have responded to socio-political events. They also show the human condition throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
The Barjeel Art Foundation strives to foster critical dialogue around contemporary art. It focuses on artists with Arab heritage. The foundation aims to be an informative resource for contemporary Arab art. It builds an informative database of artists. It also develops educational programs for the local community.
So, as you explore the Barjeel Art Foundation, remember its journey. From a personal collection to a globally recognized institution, it showcases the richness and diversity of Arab art. It connects the past with the present. It inspires future generations.