Iris Projects debuts at Art Dubai by Saudi artist Abdullah Al Othman

Concurrent solo exhibition in Abu Dhabi explores architecture, memory, and language

DUBAI, UAE (MNTV) – Iris Projects marked its debut at Art Dubai with a site-specific installation by Saudi artist Abdullah Al Othman, presented in the fair’s Bawwaba section. 

Curated by Mirjam Varadinis, the section highlights contemporary artists from the Global South, with Iris Projects being the only gallery from the GCC to participate, Gulf Today reported.

The installation, titled Manifesto: the Language & the City, is a multimedia body of work that traces the architectural and linguistic transformation of Riyadh.

Drawing on the city’s evolving identity, the work explores how shifting urban forms and signage reflect broader changes in memory, culture, and language.

Simultaneously, Iris Projects is hosting Al Othman’s first solo exhibition in the UAE at its gallery in MiZa, Abu Dhabi. 

The show, Structural Syntax, curated by Irina Stark, invites viewers to engage with themes of nostalgia, identity, and structural storytelling. 

The artist applies architectural deconstruction as a visual language to uncover hidden narratives embedded in space and form.

“Architectural and linguistic identity has always been a source of inspiration and a special passion for me,” said Al Othman. “It’s not just a reflection of place, but a living image of people’s histories, interactions, memories, and obsessions.”

The exhibition will also coincide with the launch of Al Othman’s forthcoming publication Language and City, a culmination of five years of research into typographic and spatial identity in Saudi urban settings.

Maryam Al Falasi, Founder of Iris Projects, said the gallery’s participation in Art Dubai signals its commitment to platforming regional voices. 

“We’re proud to bring Abdullah’s work to a wider audience. His investigation into the visual and linguistic elements of the city creates a powerful commentary on identity and change in the Gulf”, she said.

Al Othman, a Riyadh-based artist and published author, is known for his multidisciplinary approach across installation, video, drawing, and sculpture. 

His work engages with the shifting landscapes of Saudi cities, blending historical research with conceptual depth.

His art has been featured in major international exhibitions, and he is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia’s leading voices in contemporary art, often examining the interplay between visual culture, language, and built environments.

Iris Projects, located in Abu Dhabi’s MiZa cultural district, represents a growing roster of artists from across the Gulf. 

Founded by Maryam Al Falasi, the gallery serves as a platform for regional artistic expression and cultural dialogue.

She is actively involved in regional cultural initiatives and has been honored among the 50 Emirati Women Achievers by StartAD.

Curator Irina Stark brings over 15 years of international curatorial experience, with a focus on cross-cultural art narratives. 

She continues to advise global collectors and institutions through her consultancy and has been recognized among ARTnews’s leading art professionals.