Sharjah Art Foundation

The Sharjah Art Foundation brings a broad range of contemporary art and cultural programmes to the communities of Sharjah, the UAE and the region. Since 2009 SAF has built on the history of cultural collaboration and exchange that began with the first Sharjah Biennial in 1993. Working with local and international partners, we create opportunities for artists and artistic production through our core initiatives that include the Sharjah Biennial, the annual March Meeting, residencies, production grants, commissions, exhibitions, research, publications and a growing collection. Our education and public programmes focus on building recognition of the central role art can play in the life of a community by promoting public learning and a participatory approach to art. Sharjah Art Foundation is funded by the Department of Culture and Information, Government of Sharjah.

Sharjah Biennial 11 Highlight

Don’t Cross the Bridge Before You Get to the River, by Francis Alÿs

The Strait of Gibraltar is 7.7 nautical miles wide (13 km) and separates Africa from Europe. If a line of kids leaves Europe and heads towards Morocco, and a line of kids leaves Africa and heads towards Spain, will the two lines meet in the chimera of the horizon?

Francis Alÿs, Don’t Cross the Bridge Before You Get to the River, 2008, in collaboration with Rafael Ortega, installation view, image courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation

Sharjah Biennial 11 Highlight

composition, by Shiro Takatani

Shiro Takatani, composition, 2013, Fog machine (water, nozzle, pump) and motorised mirror, Commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation.