The Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism has once again taken the spotlight in the Arab art world as it announced the winners of its 16th edition. Established by the Department of Culture in Sharjah under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the award continues to promote critical thinking and academic study in the field of visual and fine arts across the Arab world.
This award is considered one of the most respected platforms in the region for artistic criticism, providing researchers and scholars with a stage to express their insights about art, identity, and culture. Over the years, it has grown into a cornerstone of cultural development, connecting the region’s creative output with thoughtful and structured criticism.
A Focus on Heritage and Identity
Each year, the Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism presents a new theme to encourage diverse explorations. For its 16th edition, the theme was “Inspiration from Arab Heritage in Contemporary Arab Visual Art.” This topic reflects the ongoing dialogue between the past and present and how today’s Arab artists draw from the richness of their cultural roots while addressing modern realities.
This edition attracted dozens of participants from across the Arab world, demonstrating the expanding interest in academic research on art and culture. The submissions were evaluated based on originality, methodology, and contribution to the field of visual arts criticism.
Celebrating the Winners
The award recognised three outstanding researchers whose works stood out for their depth and creativity.
First place went to Azzedine Bourka from Morocco for his research “Manifestations of Heritage and Moving Identity in Contemporary Arab Visual Patterns: A Cultural Approach.” His work explored how identity and heritage interact within modern Arab art, offering a unique perspective on cultural transformation and creative expression.
Second place was awarded to Ahmed Gamal Eid from Egypt for his study titled “Visual Memory: Arab Heritage in the Manifestations of Contemporary Plastic Art.” His research highlighted how visual memory acts as a bridge between tradition and innovation, showing how cultural references are reimagined through contemporary art forms.
Third place went to Riad Ben Haj Ahmed from Tunisia for his work “The Image of the Horse in Contemporary Arab Arts: Towards Deconstructing the Symbol and Creating a Different Discourse.” His paper examined the horse as a symbol of power and heritage, analysing how modern artists reinterpret it in new visual contexts.
Together, these winning studies offer valuable insights into how Arab artists and critics are redefining heritage, identity, and symbolism in their work.
Why This Award Matters
The Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism holds a special place in the Arab cultural landscape. It is not just a competition but an intellectual movement that aims to elevate art criticism into a recognised academic discipline.
The award encourages writers, critics, and academics to engage with art on a deeper level to move beyond simple description and into analysis, interpretation, and reflection. By focusing on written research, it gives permanence to ideas and helps document the evolution of Arab visual culture.
Moreover, the award promotes the integration of heritage into contemporary discussions, ensuring that Arab cultural values remain a living, evolving part of artistic practice. It invites scholars to examine how traditional motifs and historical narratives continue to shape the identity of modern Arab art.
Building a Bridge Between Past and Present
The theme of the 16th edition underscores the powerful connection between heritage and modern creativity. In many ways, the works submitted to the award reveal how Arab artists look to their roots for inspiration while also challenging and reinterpreting them.
Heritage, in this context, is not seen as something fixed or nostalgic. Instead, it becomes a dynamic source of ideas that can be questioned, transformed, and reborn through artistic expression. This blending of the traditional with the modern reflects a larger cultural trend across the Arab world, one that values continuity but also embraces change.
The Selection Process
The judging panel of the Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism follows a strict evaluation process. Submissions are reviewed based on thematic relevance, clarity of research, methodological precision, and linguistic quality. The goal is to maintain the award’s academic integrity and ensure that each selected work makes a meaningful contribution to the field.
By upholding such standards, the award continues to serve as a benchmark for excellence, motivating researchers to aim for higher levels of academic and artistic achievement.
Strengthening the Role of Criticism in Art
In many regions, art criticism often receives less attention than the creation of art itself. The Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism seeks to change that perception. It recognises that art criticism is essential for understanding, preserving, and advancing creative culture.
Through detailed research, critics uncover the layers of meaning behind visual works, connecting them to social, political, and cultural contexts. Their writing not only enriches public understanding but also shapes the discourse that influences future artists.
The award’s long-term vision is to cultivate a new generation of art critics who will continue this intellectual dialogue, ensuring that Arab visual arts evolve within a rich, thoughtful framework.
Promoting Collaboration Across Borders
One of the most impressive aspects of the 16th edition is the diversity of its winners. With participants from Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, and other Arab countries, the award represents a truly pan-Arab exchange of ideas.
This diversity helps foster collaboration between artists, critics, and cultural institutions. It encourages regional dialogue and demonstrates that Arab art and criticism, though varied in expression, share a common purpose, to celebrate identity and creativity through culture.
Inspiring Future Researchers
For emerging researchers and students of fine arts, the Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism serves as both inspiration and opportunity. It demonstrates how scholarly research can influence cultural awareness and creative development.
The award motivates young writers to engage in critical analysis, pursue publication, and contribute to the collective understanding of Arab visual arts. It also provides a valuable reference point for universities, institutions, and art organisations seeking to strengthen academic programs in art criticism and theory.
A Continuing Cultural Legacy
With its 16th edition, the Sharjah Award for Artistic Criticism reaffirms its role as a guiding force in Arab cultural life. It continues to nurture intellectual inquiry, strengthen regional dialogue, and build a bridge between heritage and modernity.
By recognising and rewarding outstanding research, the award preserves the legacy of Arab artistic thought while opening new paths for creative exploration. It encourages not only the celebration of art but also the study of its meaning, context, and influence.
The impact of this award extends far beyond the winners. It inspires a culture of reflection, dialogue, and scholarship that will shape the future of Arab visual arts for generations to come.
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