The Sharjah Art Foundation has announced the selection of the first group of artists for its 'Artist Residency' program for 2025-2026. Following the receipt of approximately 2,400 applications from 126 countries, the program invites emerging and established artists to participate in research and production residencies in Sharjah. The program provides participants with a creative environment to support the development of new projects and enhance artistic dialogue with curators, as well as to engage with the local and regional cultural landscape. The selected artists will be based at 'Abd al-Shamsi House' in Sharjah and 'Kalba Ice Factory' from November 2025 to January 2026, with the second group to be announced in February 2026. The first group includes: Maytha Abdullah (UAE), Afra Ahmed (Yemen), Darya Goncharova (Russia), Fatima Kazemi (Iran), Heneti & Goldox (Jordan/Germany), Jim Jasper Lompera and Joy Alexis Singh (Philippines), and Milla Palzieva (Buryatia/Russia). Their practices span painting, sculpture, video, and installation art. Maytha Abdullah draws inspiration from folklore, Afra Ahmed explores the concept of homeland after displacement, Darya Goncharova merges civil engineering with social critique, and Fatima Kazemi investigates collective grief and subcultures. The duo Heneti & Goldox addresses geopolitical themes, while Milla Palzieva focuses on the relationship between nature and memory, and Lompera and Singh explore spirituality through animation. Singh was the recipient of the 2024 Prince Claus Award.
