![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GHWNR5HX3Z5GDOP7QAO3VGTF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=772d977e4a5862e4f7604eac1de7d374d46ac55cc89ece1547663d8bbed8e21b&width=400&height=225)
Rafeea Abdulla Al Khyeli with her work 'Under the Moon', part of the Murals of History, which runs until September. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3GX5XSQXMOEPUUN3QI3S77433Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d24c601340aeac0538a8a14be7306176d6469322614d83ac8329c7675694c13&width=400&height=225)
A visitor at Cultural Foundation with Mohammed Chabaa's works. The first retrospective exhibition for the artist outside of Morocco, Visual Consciousness brings together paintings, sculptures, graphic art, interior design models and archival material by Chabaa. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X2D277NXKUD2TD5EVVPU7ADUPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0222b94650becb3b7e109c7195d812a167f98ec257954caff7c8dddcfbd7329&width=400&height=225)
An untitled 2010 work by Mohammed Chabaa, who was a pioneering figure in Arab art. Courtesy DCT Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NZGUQSKRVMRWSTAUCXL37TQYWA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6fe68c9852c1dc015ca6f8722a9b317d89788899ff9bc3fdf4a076d99e719ff&width=400&height=225)
Chabaa's multidisciplinary approach reflected the cultural awakening of Morocco in the post-independence era. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NR7VB4V52G74T5R3ZUI47SYQKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=07edc8b68fd4802e1ff65cc633cd6c8d9c0414a52a3d7309b421d4ca85b4ebc2&width=400&height=225)
A work from 1977 by Mohammed Chabaa. Courtesy DCT Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K4WI5U2MCGFJBSALYMY6IAPJNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e2283f0a32b229c860c30bc29cc20fe11095a762245ee85274611fd8d8dee57&width=400&height=225)
The show Visual Consciousness presents the life’s work of Chabaa, a pioneer of Moroccan contemporary art and Global South modernity. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F2DKHIJIGV7I3HZO7GZRRFH5GM.jpg?smart=true&auth=fba0d09cc8b0391ac491711e3248dd07ddb8c8428f5f85cc5b084b12c45097bd&width=400&height=225)
An untitled work from 1968 by Mohammed Chabaa. Courtesy of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HDNZAYP5UCQ356NKJH6DSYVLNU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ded14c5b13e1ac2d78db72cc16aadc22fcce4898d3a92f2b210c9d720fa77907&width=400&height=225)
Influenced by Morocco’s local artisanal crafts, the Bauhaus movement, post-war abstraction, and the avant-garde, Chabaa defined his own artistic language. Victor Besa/The National
Section: AC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PBHTNEUZ352V32TSFNTZYVJW4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=46076a587d7b064b5e40bb39568ebfb04fe101392d1a1955df4703ca8815128c&width=400&height=225)
Visual Consciousness is on view until September 20. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OIBYCJ2TLSOGFDVVQ2WDPHNG5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=001ede1b23964522f93ba4233e2500b3c330d3f3dc4bc53f19f0e902f6b7cd4b&width=400&height=225)
Another new exhibition a the Cultural Foundation is Murals of History, which brings together 15 UAE artists who have created works inspired by Arab art history. In this photo, artist Sultan Al Ramahi posts with his work 'Interdimensional Threads'. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/76E5UNCSGVUAGK2N6UNCSE33E4.jpg?smart=true&auth=84475c4f86ea0f1cd8fe0577a1d2c71618f95e2ac396818cb45c7d2272beee36&width=400&height=225)
The exhibition features colourful murals that integrate Arab and Islamic art elements into contemporary creative styles. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BBRONZXHJ53KL263JL2WYRQVBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0402fe978ab37a2d7e6872f876be7fc99179c4df70cd0d78f878dbe560222f8&width=400&height=225)
Fatima Al Hammadi with her art work, 'Glory', part of the Murals of History exhibition at the Cultural Foundation. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QGK4QA235SIQKICYLEPDK4MXSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=505bb8eb311a465b4b48760c6e9c8926e8c9e0f98a7d1f986ae0c95548c49763&width=400&height=225)
Murals of History exhibition runs until September 20. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FAF5TVTJ5BSKGUWUCXLEDVGV6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=742209ab1beed89f4ea25469cb54eb109f667d6a026b904d0935639e1cca7da7&width=400&height=225)
Simrin Mehra Agarwal with her mixed media work titled 'HETEROGENOUS-I'. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WPTZP55HOPUNNOR2A2IGPVMQPI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ae3c96873af8bfaadfae9d1fbdc5e0985ba5abf1d3b77ff76ab2b75d48b4ad7&width=400&height=225)
Murals of History includes geometric works, as well as figurative paintings and illustrations. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R23DAP5RTH4WF6AUBNSFPBVROA.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ef29ec4c3123382a21e7b4385f8313364d4cb40cbfaf2b6a09d0d126c1e8c4b&width=400&height=225)
Ali Ahmed Kashwani with his work 'Lady at the Souq', part of the Murals of History exhibition at the Cultural Foundation. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GHWNR5HX3Z5GDOP7QAO3VGTF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=772d977e4a5862e4f7604eac1de7d374d46ac55cc89ece1547663d8bbed8e21b&width=400&height=225)
Rafeea Abdulla Al Khyeli with her work 'Under the Moon', part of the Murals of History, which runs until September. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3GX5XSQXMOEPUUN3QI3S77433Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=5d24c601340aeac0538a8a14be7306176d6469322614d83ac8329c7675694c13&width=400&height=225)
A visitor at Cultural Foundation with Mohammed Chabaa's works. The first retrospective exhibition for the artist outside of Morocco, Visual Consciousness brings together paintings, sculptures, graphic art, interior design models and archival material by Chabaa. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X2D277NXKUD2TD5EVVPU7ADUPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0222b94650becb3b7e109c7195d812a167f98ec257954caff7c8dddcfbd7329&width=400&height=225)
An untitled 2010 work by Mohammed Chabaa, who was a pioneering figure in Arab art. Courtesy DCT Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NZGUQSKRVMRWSTAUCXL37TQYWA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6fe68c9852c1dc015ca6f8722a9b317d89788899ff9bc3fdf4a076d99e719ff&width=400&height=225)
Chabaa's multidisciplinary approach reflected the cultural awakening of Morocco in the post-independence era. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NR7VB4V52G74T5R3ZUI47SYQKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=07edc8b68fd4802e1ff65cc633cd6c8d9c0414a52a3d7309b421d4ca85b4ebc2&width=400&height=225)
A work from 1977 by Mohammed Chabaa. Courtesy DCT Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K4WI5U2MCGFJBSALYMY6IAPJNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=2e2283f0a32b229c860c30bc29cc20fe11095a762245ee85274611fd8d8dee57&width=400&height=225)
The show Visual Consciousness presents the life’s work of Chabaa, a pioneer of Moroccan contemporary art and Global South modernity. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F2DKHIJIGV7I3HZO7GZRRFH5GM.jpg?smart=true&auth=fba0d09cc8b0391ac491711e3248dd07ddb8c8428f5f85cc5b084b12c45097bd&width=400&height=225)
An untitled work from 1968 by Mohammed Chabaa. Courtesy of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HDNZAYP5UCQ356NKJH6DSYVLNU.jpg?smart=true&auth=ded14c5b13e1ac2d78db72cc16aadc22fcce4898d3a92f2b210c9d720fa77907&width=400&height=225)
Influenced by Morocco’s local artisanal crafts, the Bauhaus movement, post-war abstraction, and the avant-garde, Chabaa defined his own artistic language. Victor Besa/The National
Section: AC
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PBHTNEUZ352V32TSFNTZYVJW4M.jpg?smart=true&auth=46076a587d7b064b5e40bb39568ebfb04fe101392d1a1955df4703ca8815128c&width=400&height=225)
Visual Consciousness is on view until September 20. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OIBYCJ2TLSOGFDVVQ2WDPHNG5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=001ede1b23964522f93ba4233e2500b3c330d3f3dc4bc53f19f0e902f6b7cd4b&width=400&height=225)
Another new exhibition a the Cultural Foundation is Murals of History, which brings together 15 UAE artists who have created works inspired by Arab art history. In this photo, artist Sultan Al Ramahi posts with his work 'Interdimensional Threads'. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/76E5UNCSGVUAGK2N6UNCSE33E4.jpg?smart=true&auth=84475c4f86ea0f1cd8fe0577a1d2c71618f95e2ac396818cb45c7d2272beee36&width=400&height=225)
The exhibition features colourful murals that integrate Arab and Islamic art elements into contemporary creative styles. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BBRONZXHJ53KL263JL2WYRQVBU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a0402fe978ab37a2d7e6872f876be7fc99179c4df70cd0d78f878dbe560222f8&width=400&height=225)
Fatima Al Hammadi with her art work, 'Glory', part of the Murals of History exhibition at the Cultural Foundation. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QGK4QA235SIQKICYLEPDK4MXSI.jpg?smart=true&auth=505bb8eb311a465b4b48760c6e9c8926e8c9e0f98a7d1f986ae0c95548c49763&width=400&height=225)
Murals of History exhibition runs until September 20. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FAF5TVTJ5BSKGUWUCXLEDVGV6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=742209ab1beed89f4ea25469cb54eb109f667d6a026b904d0935639e1cca7da7&width=400&height=225)
Simrin Mehra Agarwal with her mixed media work titled 'HETEROGENOUS-I'. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/WPTZP55HOPUNNOR2A2IGPVMQPI.jpg?smart=true&auth=1ae3c96873af8bfaadfae9d1fbdc5e0985ba5abf1d3b77ff76ab2b75d48b4ad7&width=400&height=225)
Murals of History includes geometric works, as well as figurative paintings and illustrations. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R23DAP5RTH4WF6AUBNSFPBVROA.jpg?smart=true&auth=7ef29ec4c3123382a21e7b4385f8313364d4cb40cbfaf2b6a09d0d126c1e8c4b&width=400&height=225)
Ali Ahmed Kashwani with his work 'Lady at the Souq', part of the Murals of History exhibition at the Cultural Foundation. Victor Besa/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5GHWNR5HX3Z5GDOP7QAO3VGTF4.jpg?smart=true&auth=772d977e4a5862e4f7604eac1de7d374d46ac55cc89ece1547663d8bbed8e21b&width=400&height=225)
Rafeea Abdulla Al Khyeli with her work 'Under the Moon', part of the Murals of History, which runs until September. Victor Besa/The National
Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation's new exhibitions include retrospective on pioneering artist Mohammed Chabaa
Exhibition is the first to be presented outside of Morocco since the artist’s death in 2013
![Alexandra Chaves](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fbdf74649-e581-430d-bebb-05a009adb530.png?smart=true&auth=1aaef0ec554b632723f2f63cf60bfb8380f8e1ec18ca35283e642f53cc0bac8e&width=70&height=70)
Alexandra Chaves
05 April, 2021
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