ArtDayMe: Azadeh Jafarian: The "On a Timeline: 2024 MFA Graduate Show" has captivated the art community since its opening on May 16, 2024, at 421 in Zayed Port - Al Mina, Abu Dhabi. Running until August 25, this exhibition presents the final projects of five graduate students from New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) who have recently completed their Master of Fine Arts in Art and Media. Their diverse and innovative works offer a glimpse into the future of contemporary art, reflecting the culmination of their rigorous academic and creative endeavors.

Farah Soltani - "The Light on Things" is part of her broader series "A Day in the Universe." Her sculptural forms draw inspiration from everyday objects, focusing on the act of seeing and the endless possibilities of reinterpretation. Soltani’s work emphasizes the continuous cycle of observation and creation.

Sara Alahbabi - dives into the urban fabric of Abu Dhabi with her project "Time Line Electricals." Through her nightly walks in the Al Khalidiya neighborhood, Alahbabi explores the intimate dynamics of the city, challenging common perceptions and reflecting on her experiences as an Emirati woman navigating these spaces.

Ciel Arbour-Boehme - presents "Intervention Status III," a thought-provoking installation inspired by nudge theory and Bruce Nauman’s iconic "Performance Corridor." Visitors are invited to traverse a maze of corridors and surveillance screens, compelling them to rethink their automatic responses to their environment.

Zara Mahmood -  "Listening to Al Bada'a Skies" tackles the environmental issues of Dubai’s skyline. Mahmood contrasts the hazy atmospheric conditions with the underlying reality of pollution, using observational drawings and photo-transfers on handmade leaf paper to highlight the materiality of the sky and invisible particulate matter.

Fatima Al Romaithi - taps into the sensory nostalgia of the 1990s with "The Sweet Past." Through a playful examination of childhood treats and candies, Al Romaithi revisits the cultural history of the UAE, evoking memories of mischievous adventures and the powerful triggers of taste and smell.

This exhibition, a result of a fruitful collaboration between 421 and NYUAD, underscores the significant contributions of the MFA program to the local art scene. The show offers a platform for these emerging artists to share their innovative research and artistic growth with the wider community, fostering cultural exchange and dialogue.

"On a Timeline" highlights the role of the NYUAD MFA program, the first of its kind in the UAE, in nurturing contemporary art practices. Leveraging Abu Dhabi's global cultural position, the program supports the region’s burgeoning art scene, emphasizing artistic experimentation and critical inquiry.

Art enthusiasts and the general public are encouraged to visit 421, located next to the Abu Dhabi Vegetable Market and Mina Center in Zayed Port - Al Mina, to experience the groundbreaking works of these promising young artists. The exhibition will be open until August 25.