Join us for a captivating opening evening of The Storyteller and the Obedient Tide, Jumana Emil Abboud’s debut solo exhibition in the UAE. The evening culminates in a powerful Spoken Word performance by the artist herself, reflecting on her profound connection to ancient folktales, rituals and the deep, enduring waters that hold these stories.

Jumana Emil Abboud’s creative practice re-spirits storytelling processes across spoken word, drawing, video, and Water Diviners gatherings and collaborations — where stories are living entities, carried through water and relation, connecting memory with futures of possibility amid ongoing loss and dispossessions. Abboud’s work has been included in several exhibitions and biennials, including the Aomori Contemporary Art Center (2024), the 23rd Biennale of Sydney (2022), documenta 15 (2022), the Jerusalem Show (2009, 2018), the Venice Biennale (2009, 2015) and the Sharjah Biennial (2005, 2011). Solo exhibitions include Cample Line (2023), TAVROS (2022), Darat al Funun – The Khalid Shoman Foundation (2017), Bildmuseet (2017) and BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art (2016). Recognitions include the Jameel Fellowship at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, in collaboration with the International Glass and Visual Arts Research Centre (Cirva), Marseille (2024-2025) as well as being shortlisted for the Joan Miró Prize (2025) and Artes Mundi 11 Prize (2025-2026).

She is currently based in London, UK, completing her practice-led PhD at Slade School of Fine Art.

Image: Jumana Emil Abboud, The Candle Walks, video still, commissioned by Jameel Arts Centre, 2024-2025. Photo by Taiga Kobayashi.