Abraaj Group Announces Myriam Ben Salah as Curator for Abraaj Group Art Prize 2018
The Tunisian-born and Paris-based writer and curator is set to curate the next edition of the prestigious art prize
Over the last several years, Myriam Ben Salah has been responsible for coordinating special projects and public programmes at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris where she has focused predominantly on video and performance art as well as publishing initiatives. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of the international edition of Kaleidoscope Magazine.
“I am very excited to have been chosen as the Guest Curator of the 10th edition of the Abraaj Group Art Prize,” said Ben Salah. “My curatorial practice covers different scopes and in recent years, I have felt an urgency to work towards shifting the narratives around the MENASA region and its artistic practices. I admire how Abraaj has been consistently supporting artists by offering them a platform for production and the opportunity to realise ambitious projects. Having the resources to produce is the cornerstone to a relevant art scene.”
Ben Salah’s recent curatorial projects include the exhibition I Heard You Laughing at Gregor Staiger Gallery in Zurich in February 2017 showcasing the work of a younger generation of artists from the region including, Meriem Bennani, Fatima Al Qadiri, Khalid Al Gharaballi, Ferhat Özgür, Sophia Al-Maria, Sarah Abu Abdallah, and Googoosh. She was also responsible for We Dance, We Smoke, We Kiss, which ran from September to December 2016 at Fahrenheit in Los Angeles featuring work by Middle Eastern artists with the aim to foster an alternative way of looking at the art and culture from the region.
Ben Salah also co-edits F.A.Q., a periodical image-only magazine with artist Maurizio Cattelan, as well as Feb (Mag), the publication of the Underground Museum in Los Angeles. In addition, her writings have been published in several international art publications and exhibition catalogues.
Ben Salah will be responsible for working with the selected Abraaj Prize artists and curating their work for a group exhibition at Art Dubai next year. “Over the last 10 years, The Abraaj Group Art Prize has become an exceptional platform for artists and curators working in the region. We had a great number of excellent applications from curators of over 41 nationalities this year, which made it difficult to choose. Myriam’s application really stood out and we’re delighted to have her on board for the 10th edition of the Prize,” said Chair of the Abraaj Group Art Prize, Dana Farouki.
Each year, The Abraaj Group awards $100,000 to a winning artist to develop a new commission, and $10,000 each to three shortlisted artists to support the development of their artistic practice. The work of the winning artist is unveiled at each edition of Art Dubai, and complemented by an exhibition of works by the three shortlisted artists. This year, the Abraaj Group Art Prize welcomes four new jury members. These are Zeina Arida, Director, Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock Museum, Beirut; Myrna Ayad, Director, Art Dubai; Stuart Comer, Chief Curator of Media and Performance Art, MoMA, New York; Rashid Rana, Artist and Curator of the Lahore Biennale and Omar Berrada, Guest Curator of the 2016 Abraaj Group Art Prize, who sits on the jury for one year.
For more information visit artdubai.ae