• CURRENT EXHIBITION

    The sky held it, the earth remembered

    11 SEPTEMBER - 15 DECEMBER 2026

    An exhibition presented in collaboration with the Han Nefkens Foundation, showcasing major works by Shahana Rajani, the recipient of the inaugural South Asian Video Art Production Grant, Rohini Devasher, and Sarker Protick.

  • RECENT PROGRAMME

    BETWEEN WORD AND IMAGE: ALI KAZIM AND ZARINA

    27 JUNE 2026

    An online talk that sheds light on the conceptual and material conversations between the practices of Ali Kazim and Zarina in ‘Urdu Worlds’.

  • RECENT EXHIBITION

    URDU WORLDS

    16 JANUARY 2026 - 8 JUNE 2026

    The UAE’s first contemporary art exhibition dedicated to the Urdu language. Curated by Hammad Nasar, the show is a visual conversation around language between Ali Kazim and Zarina, and the debut institutional presentation of Kazim’s works in West Asia.

  • RECENT PROGRAMME

    ALPHABET BOOK | URDU QAIDA LAUNCH

    17 MAY 2026

    Book launch marking UAE release of ‘Alphabet Book | Urdu Qaida’, with Ali Kazim, Hammad Nasar and Anita Dawood, moderated by Saira Ansari.

  • ISHARA HOUSE

    A new initiative in Kochi, Kerala consisting of a curated exhibition, public programming, and collaborative projects, taking place every two years within the historic Kashi Hallegua House under the artistic direction of Riyas Komu.

Ishara Online

Interviews, essays and multimedia content

‘From Z to A: Zarina and Ali Kazim’s Linguistic Co-Habitation’ by Hammad Nasar

26 January 2026
Curatorial essay for 'Urdu Worlds' by Hammad Nasar
Zarina’s Urdu World

12 February 2026
An essay by Sarah Burney reflecting on Zarina's use of the Urdu language in her practice as an assertion of her identity.
About

Ishara Art Foundation was founded in 2019 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to presenting contemporary art of South Asia. Located in Dubai, the Foundation supports emerging and established practices that advance critical dialogue and explore global interconnections.

Guided by a research-led approach, Ishara realises its mission through exhibitions, onsite and online programmes, education initiatives and collaborations in the UAE and internationally. The Foundation facilitates exchange between South Asian and international artistic networks that include museums, foundations, institutions, galleries and individuals.

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