Considered the largest exhibition of visual art from the Gulf, the biannual showcase of the GCC Visual Arts Forum aims to celebrate creativity from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. Presented in a member nation every 2 years, the Forum stages activities, events and workshops, establish programmes to support creatives and awards prizes.

Each edition presents a theme that visual artists are required to adhere to in creating their artworks, which are overseen by a panel of jurists. Both the theme and the jurists are selected by the host country, which stages an exhibition of the shortlisted and winning works and awards prizes.

The United Arab Emirates will host the 2022 GCC Visual Arts Forum, which will take place in Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi between 20 – 25 December under the auspices of the UAE Ministry of Culture & Youth headed by Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi.

The Arab World has experienced an immeasurable change in the last century with transformations happening across economic, political, and social realms. One wonders: how much have these changes affected national identity?
Many attributes help convey who we are – the language we speak, the way we dress, where we call home, our citizenship, what principles we believe in, religion or others. These attributes that help define who we are, have changed over time and keep changing. This begs the question: how do we define ourselves today? What are the attributes that help us convey who we are? What are the aspects that influence and shape who we are? And what does it mean to tell you who I am?
In considering these questions, one must also contemplate what, if anything, we retain from the past and tradition, and how do we move forward with these attributes in hand? Artists are asked to contemplate these notions and consider key values that individuals and communities alike use to not only describe themselves but ascribe value to when defining the other.

Painting

• Accepted media includes acrylics, watercolour, pastel, pencil, pen, crayon, vinyl, tempera, graphite, ink, collage, etching, aquatint, and oil
• Artwork must be made on canvas, paper, cardboard, wood, plastics, or iron
• Artwork must be mounted
• Artwork size cannot exceed 100 x 100 cm
• Multi-panel work will be accepted provided the total artwork does not exceed 100 x 100 cm
• Artist may initial or sign painting on its front and must print and sign at the back
• Digital painting is accepted; please refer to rules in Photography
• The UAE Ministry of Culture & Youth will handle the artwork’s framing

Sculpture & Installation

• Must either be a unique work or one produced in an edition of 1 + 1 Artist Proof, and this must be stated clearly in the proposal
• The work’s material must be permanent and suitable for indoor display
• Work can include sound, light and mechanical or electric movements; any need for projector and/or monitor must be stated clearly in the proposal
• Works created using computer or digital applications and devices, digital media, software, interactive devices, and virtual art projects are welcome
• Maximum size allowed is H 60 x W 60 cm (excluding plinth)
• Maximum weight is 70KG

Film

• Must be produced in an edition of 1 + 1 Artist Proof, and this must be stated clearly in the proposal
• Accepted material includes videos, films, video installations, slow motion, time-lapse photography or works created with animation techniques on any digital or analog support, cinematographic, graphic or computer short films
• The maximum duration allowed is 15 minutes
• Files should not exceed 500MB

*Audio/video equipment will be supplied by UAE Ministry of Culture & Youth

• Must be produced in an edition of 1 + 1 Artist Proof, and this must be stated clearly in the proposal
• Photograph size cannot exceed 100 x 100 cm
• Multi-panel work will be accepted provided the total artwork does not exceed 100 x 100 cm
• Photograph can be portrait or landscape, black and white or in colour
• Any photograph taken via mobile phones or tablets is accepted
• Photographs that are lightly manipulated for artistic purposes are accepted
• Drone and terrestrial photography are accepted

• Software or any form of digital technology can be used
• Artwork can be submitted on canvas or paper at a maximum size of 100 x 100 cm
• All materials can be used

*Text can be lifted from prayers, passages from the Holy Quran, poetry, Hadith, Arabic philosophy, famous quotes, and sayings if it is related to the theme

• Software or any form of digital technology cannot be used
• Artwork must be presented on Ahar Paper at a maximum size of 100 x 100 cm
• Styles allowed include Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, Diwani or Farsi
• High quality inks in black, brown, dark maroon, navy or dark green can be used
• Paper colour is open

*Text can be lifted from prayers, passages from the Holy Quran, poetry, Hadith, Arabic philosophy, famous quotes, and sayings if it is related to the theme