Hyphen Contemporary, a new curatorial platform dedicated to showcasing emerging artistic practices and cultivating new collector communities, launches in Abu Dhabi this October. Founded by Cecelia Jihu-Sara, who is currently completing an MA in History of Art and Museum Studies at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, the platform emerged from ideas developed during her studies. The initiative aims to create opportunities for early-stage artists to present their work to wider audiences, while building connections between emerging practices and a new generation of collectors.
The first initiative of its kind in Abu Dhabi, Hyphen Contemporary will launch with Consolidation is Reconsolidation, its inaugural exhibition, which will be presented at Region in MiZa, Abu Dhabi, from 15 to 19 October 2026. The exhibition brings together five UAE-based emerging artists working at the point where memory is remade: Rayan Aljneibi, Layla Doueidi, Sara Kamar, Martin Ong Yambao and Husna Samer.
Cecelia Jihu-Sara, Founder of Hyphen Contemporary, said: “I started Hyphen Contemporary because I wanted to bring fresh energy to both sides of the art world: spotlighting and championing emerging artists, and providing a platform to cultivate new collector communities. Inspired by neuroscience, Consolidation is Reconsolidation brings together five artists who examine memory from different perspectives: personal, place, digital, and imagined.”
Exhibition details
• Dates: 15–19 October 2026, 9am–9pm
• Location: Region, MiZa, Abu Dhabi
• Private View: Thursday, 15 October 2026, 5–9pm
• Curator-led Tour: Saturday, 17 October 2026, 3pm
The exhibition brings together five UAE-based emerging artists working at the point where memory is remade:
• Rayan Aljneibi
• Layla Doueidi
• Sara Kamar
• Martin Ong Yambao
• Husna Samer