In a milestone moment for HSBC’s 101-year-old art collection, the global banking giant showcased select works from its private collection at the Abu Dhabi Art Fair.
This marks the institution’s first international exhibition and its debut showing in the Middle East.
The exhibition, titled “The Evolving Self,” which began on November 19 and will run until Sunday, at the HSBC Collection Space in Manarat Al Saadiyat. Curated by Emirati curator Amneh Al Ghanim, co-founder of Menart Contemporary, in collaboration with HSBC’s Global Art Manager Daniel Lancaster, the exhibition brings together works from five internationally acclaimed artists exploring themes of identity and connection in a globalised world.
“This marks an exciting moment in the history of the HSBC art collection,” said Lancaster, who has been with the bank’s art department for 15 years.
“Our ambition is to build a truly inclusive collection that celebrates the different perspectives of our employees, clients and the communities we serve.”
The exhibition features works from artists Omar Ba, Mandy El-Sayegh, Makiko Kudo, Lucia Laguna, and Jadé Fadojutimi, each offering unique perspectives on identity formation through their distinct artistic styles and personal experiences.
Among the featured works is “White Grounds (The Sun)” by Mandy El-Sayegh, whose mixed-media paintings reflect her multicultural background as a Malaysian-born artist of Chinese and Palestinian descent. El-Sayegh’s work, which often incorporates her father’s calligraphy and Chinese characters, examines the fractured nature of identity shaped by migration.
British Nigerian artist Jadé Fadojutimi, notable for being the youngest artist ever acquired by the Tate permanent collection, contributes “The Adorning Self.” Her emotional landscapes explore identity and self-understanding through vibrant color palettes.
Japanese artist Makiko Kudo’s “Becoming a Field” investigates the intersection of memory and history, while Senegalese artist Omar Ba’s “Champ de Riz a Kidal” incorporates African symbolism and desire for people to be in balance with nature. Brazilian artist Lucia Laguna’s “Paisagem” rounds out the exhibition with work celebrating the ecosystems of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas.
Lancaster, who has witnessed the collection’s evolution over his tenure, sees the Abu Dhabi exhibition as more than just a display of art.
“The reality is that our collection is 101 years old, and we’ve come to a point in its development whereby we are excited about how it can help tell our story,” he told Arabian Business.
“Being here in Abu Dhabi is a really excellent opportunity to show what the collection is about, and a chance for us to open our doors and invite people in.”
Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Middle East UAE, highlighted the bank’s historic connection to the region.
“From our earliest beginnings as the first bank in the UAE in 1946, to becoming the country’s leading international bank, we have been a key part of the social fabric,” added Al Marzooqi.
The exhibition has already generated significant interest among art enthusiasts. Lancaster recounted a memorable moment when a visitor rushed into the exhibition space after catching a glimpse of one of the works.
“That is the amazing thing about art,” he reflected. “It captures someone’s attention and brings them into our space.”
From its first art acquisition in 1923, HSBC’s collection has grown to include more than 4,000 works. The bank’s presence at the Abu Dhabi Art Fair represents not just an exhibition opportunity but a chance to identify new artists and works for future acquisitions.
Through this global partnership with Abu Dhabi Art, HSBC is also supporting multiple initiatives, including two traveling exhibitions that aim to bring local artists to the global art scene, further cementing the bank’s commitment to fostering cultural bridges and supporting the regional art sector.
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