Aichi Triennale 2025 Opens with UAE Artists & Global Talent

The Aichi Triennale, one of Japan’s most important international art events, opened its sixth edition to the public on 13 September 2025. This year’s edition, titled “A Time Between Ashes and Roses,” is curated by Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation. Hoor is the first non-Japanese artistic director in the triennale’s history, making this a milestone for the festival. The title of the exhibition comes from a verse by the Syrian poet Adonis, one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary Arab poetry.

This year, the triennale takes a unique approach by exploring the future through the lens of geological time, rather than national or territorial boundaries. It challenges how people traditionally see the divide between humans and the environment, offering a broader and more universal perspective.

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Artists and Their Works

The 2025 Aichi Triennale brings together 60 artists and art collectives from 22 countries and territories, representing a wide range of creative practices. The artists explore themes such as cultural memory, material experimentation, and imaginative interpretations of everyday life.

Some highlights include:

• Robert Andrew, who uncovers hidden family histories through his immersive installations.

• Priyageetha Dia, whose work merges Southeast Asian labor histories with speculative tropical landscapes and machine logic.

• Simone Leigh, presenting her renowned ceramic and bronze sculptures in Japan for the first time.

• Faustin Linyekula, offering a debut performance blending dance, storytelling, and the politics of cultural survival.

• Afra Al Dhaheri, an Emirati artist who draws from her childhood in Abu Dhabi, blending performance, video, and installations.

Other Emirati artists featured this year include:

• Mohammed Kazem, celebrated for his conceptual and experimental art.

• Maitha Abdalla, whose work spans film, sculpture, painting, and performance.

• Shaikha Al Mazrou, exploring identity and cultural heritage through multimedia works.

• Kamala Ibrahim Ishag, a Sudanese-born artist now based in the UAE, who reflects on migration, displacement, and heritage.

The triennale also features unique works from Japanese and international artists:

• Morohoshi Daijiro, a renowned manga artist, will debut a specially commissioned illustration.

• Barrack (Furuhata Taiki + Kondo Kanako) transforms the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum into a café-restaurant and exhibition space, encouraging interaction between local and international communities.

• Sasaki Rui creates a site-specific installation in a recently closed public bathhouse in Seto City, exploring everyday life and the region’s deep connection to nature and ceramic traditions.

Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the Aichi Triennale 2025 was attended by prominent dignitaries from Japan and the UAE. From Japan:

• Takeo Obayashi, Chairperson of the Aichi Triennale Organising Committee.

• Hideaki Omura, Governor of Aichi Prefecture.

Representing the UAE were:

• H.E. Sheikh Salem Bin Khalid Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Culture.

• H.E. Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Government Relations Department.

• H.E. Sheikha Nawar Bint Ahmed Al Qassimi, Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation.

Other notable attendees included:

• H.E. Sheikha Hind Bint Majid Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Design Centre.

• H.E. Shihab Ahmed Al Faheem, UAE Ambassador to Japan.

• H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Tourism & Commerce Development Authority.

• H.E. Halima Humaid Al Owais, Deputy Chairman of the Consultative Council of Sharjah.

• H.E. Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (SHERAA).

• H.E. Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority.

Exhibition Events and Programs

The triennale runs until 30 November 2025 and features a range of events for visitors to engage with the artists and their works. Key programs include:

• Roundtable discussions and artist talks on 14 and 15 September 2025.

• Three Special Days for Experiencing the Vibe of Ceramic City of Seto from 1 to 3 November 2025.

• Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum’s annual ceramic firing project, recreating a traditional kiln to celebrate the region’s historic craft.

These events allow visitors to interact with the art, learn about cultural practices, and experience the unique traditions of Aichi Prefecture.

About Hoor Al Qasimi

Hoor Al Qasimi has played a major role in shaping contemporary art in the UAE and internationally. She established the Sharjah Art Foundation in 2009, turning it into a center for contemporary art and innovation.

Her work includes:

• Supporting emerging artists with grants and residencies.

• Organizing international touring exhibitions.

• Curating film, music, and performance festivals.

• Leading educational programs for all ages.

Hoor co-curated Sharjah Biennial 6 (2003), and has been the Biennial Director since then. She also curated Sharjah Biennial 15 (2023). In addition, she serves as President of the International Biennial Association and The Africa Institute, and is President and Director of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial.

Previously, Hoor has been a board member of MoMA PS1 in New York and the UCCA Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing.

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About Aichi Triennale

The Aichi Triennale has been held every three years since 2010. It is Japan’s most prestigious arts festival and showcases both local and international artists.

The triennale is spread across Nagoya and other cities in Aichi Prefecture, using historical sites, museums, and public spaces for its exhibitions. It aims to balance global and local perspectives, encouraging cultural exchange and innovation in contemporary art.

Each edition also includes educational programs, workshops, and opportunities for students of all ages to engage directly with artists and curators. By connecting communities with contemporary art, the triennale promotes dialogue and shared understanding across cultures.

About Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Prefecture is located between the Pacific Coast and the Mikawa Highlands in Japan. Known for its agriculture, flower cultivation, and thriving urban centers, Aichi is the country’s third-largest metropolitan area.

Famous for its food culture, Aichi offers dishes like Hitsumabushi and Ogura Toast. It is also a hub for technology and manufacturing, hosting companies such as Toyota, Denso, Aisin, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Aichi has a rich cultural heritage, including:

• Traditional crafts such as ceramics, textiles, and karakuri puppetry.

• Five annual “Yama, Hoko, and Yatai” float festivals, recognized by UNESCO.

The prefecture combines its industrial strength with cultural preservation, making it a vibrant center for both innovation and tradition.

About Sharjah Art Foundation

The Sharjah Art Foundation promotes contemporary art in the UAE and globally. It organizes:

• The Sharjah Biennial, featuring international contemporary artists.

• The annual March Meeting, a gathering for artists and cultural professionals.

• Grants, residencies, commissions, and traveling exhibitions.

Founded in 2009, the Foundation is committed to developing Sharjah’s cultural life while connecting with international art communities. Its programs are free and open to the public, offering year-round exhibitions, performances, and educational activities.

About Sharjah

Sharjah is the third-largest emirate in the UAE and the only one bridging the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Known for its focus on arts, architecture, and education, it hosts over 20 museums and has been recognized internationally:

• UNESCO Arab Capital of Culture (1998)

• UNESCO World Book Capital (2019)

Sharjah continues to be a leading center for culture and art in the UAE and the broader region.

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