The presentation explains the process of working towards Sharjah Biennial 15: how it was initially planned for 2021 and the decision to postpone it by 2 years to create two biennials in one. This would not only celebrate 30 years of the biennial, but also show a lot of changes–and as Okwui Enwezor has stated, that it was a unique model to go from biennial to institution and the importance of the work which has been done all year round, for the past 20 years.

Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, is a curator who established the Foundation in 2009 as a catalyst and advocate for the arts, not only in Sharjah, UAE, but also in the region and around the world. With a passion for supporting experimentation and innovation in the arts, Al Qasimi has continuously expanded the scope of the Foundation to include major international touring exhibitions; artist and curator residencies in visual art, film and music; commissions and production grants for emerging artists; publications and publication grants; performance and film festivals; architectural research and restoration; and a wide range of educational programming in Sharjah for all age groups. Al Qasimi serves on the Board of Directors for Kunst-Werke Berlin e. V. and Ashkal Alwan, Beirut. She is the Chair of the Advisory Board for the College of Fine Arts and Design, University of Sharjah, and is a member of the advisory boards for Khoj International Artists’ Association, New Delhi; Darat al Funun, Amman; Independent Film Council, ICA, London; and the Eye Art & Film Prize Eye Filmmuseum, Amsterdam (2022–2024). In 2023, she was appointed Chairwoman of the Alliance Française of Sharjah. Al Qasimi has curated a large number of exhibitons in prestigious institutions worldwide and holds an MA in Curating Contemporary Art from the Royal College of Art, London (2008). She earned a diploma in painting from the Royal Academy of Arts, London (2005), and received a BFA from the Slade School of Fine Art, London (2002).

The lecture will be held in English language.