A new Abu Dhabi art gallery has launched with a digital-first approach, led by entrepreneur Maha Al Mansoori, who aims to expand the city’s cultural scene through new platforms for artists and collectors. The gallery does not yet have a permanent physical space and instead opened its first exhibition online using digital viewing rooms. Al Mansoori says the project is designed to grow over time and eventually move into physical spaces across Abu Dhabi.
The inaugural exhibition, titled Held Unheld, brings together four artists from Paraguay, Bahrain, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. It focuses on emotion, transformation, and personal change during uncertain moments. The exhibition is structured around four themes: Containment, Erosion, Release, and Trace. These themes explore how people experience and process emotions, memory, and identity through both stability and disruption.
Al Mansoori says the idea for the Abu Dhabi art gallery came from a belief that the emirate needs more galleries and more opportunities for local artists. She explained that the online format was chosen due to uncertainty during the planning stage, but she did not want that to stop the project from moving forward. Instead, she decided to launch digitally and build toward physical exhibitions later.
The gallery received around 50 submissions through an open call for artists earlier this year. After studio visits, interviews, and curatorial review, four artists were selected for the debut exhibition. Their works were professionally photographed and presented in an online format designed to reach a wider audience. The artists included Cynthia Acuna, Fatima Al Haddad, Jael Laura, and Wadeema Al Menhali, each presenting different styles ranging from dream-inspired drawings to geometric forms and spiritual themes.
Despite their diverse backgrounds, Al Mansoori said the artists share a common focus on emotional expression. She noted that their works explore surreal and imaginative elements that reflect inner feelings and personal experiences. The exhibition encourages viewers to reflect on what emotions they hold and what they release during times of change.
The Abu Dhabi art gallery also aims to connect with a growing base of young collectors in the UAE. Al Mansoori said younger buyers are showing stronger interest in contemporary and emotional artworks, as well as a preference for supporting Emirati artists. She believes this shift is helping local artists gain recognition faster, supported by growing cultural institutions and art programs across the country.
The gallery plans to hold two physical exhibitions in Abu Dhabi later this year while continuing its digital initiatives. Rather than opening a traditional fixed space, Al Mansoori is considering a flexible model that uses different locations in the city for exhibitions. She described it as a nomadic approach that allows the gallery to adapt and evolve over time.
Al Mansoori said the goal is to create conversations through art and expand how audiences experience creativity. She added that art has no single meaning and changes depending on the viewer’s perspective. The Abu Dhabi art gallery project continues to develop as it builds its presence in both digital and physical spaces, with a focus on supporting artists and expanding cultural engagement in the region.
