Art Here 2025: Louvre Abu Dhabi Richard Mille Art Prize
Artists: Hamra Abbas, Ahmed Alaqra, Jumairy, Ryoichi Kurokawa, Rintaro Fuse, YOKOMAE et BOUAYADCurated by Sophie Mayuko Arni
Venue: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Exhibition Website
Hamra Abbas, Tree Studies (2025)
Hamra Abbas, Tree Studies (2025)
Lapis lazuli, marble
28 x 23 x 2cm each
Commissioned for Art Here 2025: Shadows at the Louvre Abu Dhabi
Photo: Copyright Art Here 2025. Courtesy of Richard Mille.
Biography
Born in Kuwait and based in Lahore, Hamra Abbas received her BFA and MA in Visual Arts from the National College of Arts, Lahore, before attending Universitaet der Kuenste in Berlin where she obtained the Meisterschüler. Her multi-disciplinary practice is deeply influenced by the various cities she has lived in, particularly Berlin and Boston. However, in 2015, upon her return to Pakistan, her artistic journey underwent a profound transformation whereby her practice shifted from the earlier transient phase to a more permanent production, reconnecting with her homeland. Abbas was inspired to incorporate marble inlay techniques, influenced by the local marble factories, thus adding a new dimension to her artistic expression.
Today, Abbas largely draws inspiration from the concept of a garden - symbolising ecology and serving as a metaphor for the Garden of Paradise. This evolution reflects a deeper relation with her surroundings, intertwining her art with themes of nature and the human experience. Her work celebrates the beauty and complexity of the natural world, inviting viewers to contemplate their own connection to the environment and the broader ecological concerns we face today.
Description of artwork:
Trees are a fundamental component of gardens and forests, serving as vital elements of our ecosystem. In the context of Islamic art, gardens hold a central place and are often regarded as representations of Paradise, or Jannah in Islam. In this context, trees, water, flowers, and other natural elements are consistently depicted in textiles, metalwork, tile designs, frescoes, or stone inlay.
For Tree Studies, Hamra Abbas created detailed botanical drawings of tree foliage, which she had documented during her travels across different countries. As such, this collection transcends geographical boundaries and connects with audiences around the world. The installation consists of 31 stone sculptures representing different tree species, including olive, pomegranate, cherry, banyan, and ghaf. Each piece was created with a unique lapis lazuli inlay technique, which produces shadow-like representations of tree foliage, capturing the poetics of light and shadow. The result is a visual language that lies between realism and abstraction.
Stone inlay, a technique that began in Italy, saw significant development in South Asia during the 17th century. Since the artist’s return from Boston to Lahore in 2015, she has reimagined this traditional art form within the realm of contemporary sculpture. Focusing on the geographical origins of lapis lazuli, particularly from Badakhshan, Afghanistan, Abbas aims to evoke a sense of wonder and introspection, encouraging viewers to reflect on the essential role trees play in our global ecosystem and their cultural symbolism across societies.
© Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi / Photo Ismail Noor - Seeing Things