Cuban artist blooms in Dubai: Campos-Pons at Efie Gallery
Steakhouses, Hans Zimmer & Arab women in art
Welcome back to Al-Monitor Dubai.
This week, we highlight a solo show by Cuban artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons at Efie Gallery in Alserkal Avenue, underscoring the growing allure of art from Africa and its diasporas in the Gulf. Also featured: a new upscale steakhouse at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab; a curated exhibition exploring representations of Arab women by renowned modern Arab painters; Hans Zimmer’s first-ever performance in Abu Dhabi; and a quick look at the projected rise of AI in the Middle East’s economy by 2030.
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Happy reading,
Rebecca
P.S. Have feedback or tips on Dubai's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.
1. Leading the week: “I am Soil. My Tears Are Water”
Cuban artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons walks amidst her works on view at Efie Gallery in Dubai. (Photo courtesy of Efie Gallery)
Inside Efie Gallery’s new space in Alserkal Avenue is a solo exhibition by Cuban artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons that explores themes of identity, cultural dialogue, transmission and nature. Marking the artist’s debut in the Middle East, the exhibition, curated by Faridah Folawiyo, presents a thoughtful examination of the diaspora and human connection through representation of flora and fauna in Latin America, the Arab world and Africa.
On view are works on paper, sculptures and a mixed media installation created in collaboration with musician Kamaal Malak, including renderings of hibiscus, sugarcane and guava leaves — plants that have strong cultural significance in the places where they are grown.
The exhibition is powerful for its blend of nature, spirituality and the lasting interconnectedness of all beings. Campos-Pons demonstrates the lasting narrative of migration and its influence on the natural landscape and human histories.
“From the very beginning of my career, I have been deeply interested in the expansion of materials and in exploring how different materialities can serve as a means of expression,” stated Campos-Pons in the exhibition’s catalogue. “Through my family and school, I was exposed to the idea that materials themselves carry an expressive presence, and this awareness has stayed with me. The relationship between material and meaning has always been a complex yet central part of my work, and this is part of ‘I Am Soil. My Tears Are Water.’”
Date: Through May 25
Location: Efie Gallery, Alserkal Avenue
More information here.
2. Word on the street: The Cullinan
A view of The Cullinan, a new restaurant in Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. (Photo courtesy of The Cullinan)
For lovers of a good steak, this elegant eatery on the shores of the Gulf is the perfect destination. The Cullinan, one of the most lavish venues among the high-end offerings at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, is located on the first floor and boasts refined, upscale interiors with leather, gold and olive accents, white tablecloths and wooden floors, all set against enrapturing views of the Burj Al Arab. Indulge in a range of delicacies, from seared Hokkaido scallops to succulent Rangers Valley New England 280-day grain-fed steak, seasoned simply with coarse salt. There’s also a mouthwatering selection of desserts to cleanse your palate. Don’t miss the Cullinan Signature Gold Bar, a decadent creation of coffee dulcey mousse and pecan praline.
Location: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
More information here.
3. Dubai diary
Louay Kayali, “Lady Knitting,” 1973. (Photo courtesy of International House Group)
• “Women in Contemporary Art” at Kutubna Cultural Center
On view for a few more days, this rare exhibition highlights portrayals of Arab women across the 20th and early 21st centuries. Featuring 35 original works from across the Arab world — including paintings on canvas and paper — it presents both figurative and realist depictions alongside more abstract interpretations by celebrated artists such as Syrian Louay Kayali, Egypt’s Salah Taher and Adham Wanly, and Iraqi painter Khaled Aljader. The works offer a captivating glimpse into the private and public lives of women during times of profound change in the region. All pieces are from the private collection of International House Group, assembled over 25 years.
Dates: Until May 18
Location: Kutubna Cultural Center, Dubai
More information here.
• Tamer Hosny & Al Shami perform in Dubai
If you’re eager to catch two of the Arab world’s biggest pop stars — Egyptian Tamer Hosny and Syrian singer Al Shami — head to Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena later this month. Al Shami, one of the region’s top streaming artists, blends Levantine balladry with electronic music, while Hosny is known for his on-stage charisma and infectious Egyptian pop hits.
Date: May 31
Location: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
More information here.
• Hans Zimmer’s first performance in Abu Dhabi
Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer will perform in Abu Dhabi for the first time, bringing his iconic film scores to life. Known for his soundtracks to “Dune,” “The Lion King,” “Interstellar” and “Gladiator,” Zimmer will be joined by original vocalists from these films. As a special tribute, the performance will also celebrate Abu Dhabi’s role in “Dune,” much of which was filmed in the Liwa Desert. For fans of Zimmer, this is a performance not to be missed.
Dates: May 31 and June 1
Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
More information here.
4. Book of the week: “Fundamentally”
This bold and darkly humorous debut follows Nadia, an academic specializing in peacebuilding in Iraq, as she takes on the challenge of leading a deradicalization program for women once married to ISIS fighters. Longlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction, author Nussaibah Younis offers a compassionate, humanizing portrait of these women, weaving in Nadia’s encounters with those who left the US and Europe to join the Islamic State in Syria and now find themselves refugees in nations reluctant to take them back.
5. View from Dubai: Gonzalo Palavecino
A view of an old plane in the desert landscape of Dubai. (Photography by Gonzalo Palavecino)
In 2020, Chilean photographer Gonzalo Palavecino captured a series of striking images for his project Old Dubai, offering a rare glimpse into a quieter, older side of the ever-evolving Gulf metropolis. His poignant photographs reveal a contrast to the city’s relentless pace of expansion and innovation, highlighting a Dubai many rarely see.
6. By the numbers
• The Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund Mubadala said in a statement last week that it made 119 billion dirhams ($32.4 billion) worth of investments in 2024, up 33.7% from the previous year.
• By 2030, PwC projects that AI will add $320 billion to the economy in the Middle East, with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the GCC4 (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar) gaining the most.
• PwC projects that the largest gains will accrue to Saudi Arabia, where AI is expected to contribute over $135.2 billion to the economy in 2030, equivalent to 12.4% of the gross domestic product.