The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (Abu Dhabi Culture), in collaboration with the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), has concluded the “Proximities” exhibition in Seoul, marking a significant cultural milestone that underscores the UAE’s growing creative presence on the global stage.
The three-month exhibition was held under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as part of a wider cultural programme.
Attracting more than 75,000 visitors, the exhibition is the first and largest of its kind showcasing visual arts from the UAE in East Asia and the Republic of Korea. It featured over 110 artworks by 47 UAE-based artists, including 33 Emirati artists, making it the largest Emirati visual arts exhibition in East Asia in terms of scale and diversity.
Opened on December 15, 2025, as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival’s broad programme, the exhibition represents the second key institutional collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Culture and SeMA. It was jointly organised by the two institutions and ran until March 29.
“Proximities” offered a comprehensive artistic platform reflecting the richness and evolution of the UAE’s visual arts scene, with works exploring themes of identity, memory and social transformation through a range of media, including painting, photography, installation and video.
The exhibition also strengthened cultural exchange between the UAE and the Republic of Korea, drawing wide public attendance and notable interest from artistic and media circles. It highlights the UAE’s position as a regional and global hub for cultural creativity.
The initiative forms part of the Abu Dhabi Culture’s broader efforts to promote cultural dialogue, foster openness to global cultures, and support Emirati artists in showcasing their work on leading international platforms, further cementing the presence of UAE art on the world stage.
