Visionary Curator Transforms Sharjah Biennial from Native Territories to Desert Landscape
In the vibrant arts scene of the Emirate of Sharjah, U.A.E., the Sharjah Biennial 16 took centre stage, featuring more than 40 Indigenous contemporary artists from every continent. At the helm of this monumental event was preeminent curator and scholar, Megan Tamati-Quennell, whose visionary leadership stewarded a paradigm shift in the art world.
Tamati-Quennell's career in the arts began after a major exhibition called "Te Māori" had a profound impact on her. This led to her writing a newspaper arts column called "In Town Tonight." Her journey to Sharjah was initiated by a meeting with Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President of the Sharjah Art Foundation, in Abu Dhabi.
One of the highlights of the Biennial was the collaboration between Tamati-Quennell and Cristina Verán, which focused on the special collaboration and more in the Sharjah Biennial 16. Another significant installation was "Operation Buffalo" by Yhonnie Scarce, a commentary on nuclear colonization in the Pacific.
The sound installation "Ngā Mata ō Hina" was created by Māori musician Mara TK, while the red piano, played by concert pianist Liam Wooding, was part of a special music performance. Albert Refiti's installation "Vānimonimo" comprised an entire room filled with his extraordinary drawings, each marking the gatherings of people and ceremonies in Samoan culture.
Fiona Pardington presented the installation "Purapura Whetū," and Saffron Te Ratana created the installation "Purapura Whetū." Raven Chacón, a Diné artist, created a sound installation at a long-abandoned Bedouin village built in the 1970s known as Al-Madam.
Mere Boynton performed in a special music performance, adding her unique talent to the rich tapestry of the Biennial. Notably, Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi proposed a project focused on the art and practice of Emily Karaka, an artist who had never had a major solo exhibition or survey show.
Tamati-Quennell's work in the Biennial 16 played a key role in its preparation and execution. She has also curated exhibitions such as "ECO-VISIONARIES: Art, Architecture and the Earth" in Vienna and participated in other international exhibitions focused on contemporary art and environmental themes.
The Sharjah Biennial 16, with its diverse and powerful Indigenous art, sparked a paradigm shift in the expectations and relationships between mainstream institutions and Indigenous art and artists, not just in Aotearoa New Zealand, but globally. It served as a testament to the continued rise of Indigenous contemporary art and artists, both at home and internationally.
