Emirati gallerist hosts first solo exhibition for Egyptian modernist in Abu Dhabi

Maha Al Mansoori opened the Sculpture, Form & Memory exhibition at Region Concept Space in MiZa, Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi.

The gallery owner and art collector organized the show to showcase the work of Mahmoud Moussa, a pioneering Egyptian sculptor. Al Mansoori curated the exhibition in partnership with Motion Gallery in Cairo to help preserve the legacy of the artist.

The exhibition features more than ten major works by Moussa, who belonged to the second generation of pioneers in modern Egyptian art. Born in Alexandria, Moussa developed his skills independently before joining the Faculty of Fine Arts in Alexandria in 1957. He taught in the Department of Sculpture and influenced many generations of artists. His work combines Egypt's ancient heritage with modern artistic expressions, focusing on how materials can hold memory and how simplified forms can intensify emotional expression.

Al Mansoori launched the exhibition to encourage cross-cultural dialogue and help a wider audience in the UAE recognize Arab modernism. The show is part of the early activities for her gallery, which began with a virtual group exhibition earlier this year. Al Mansoori plans to open a permanent home for the Maha Al Mansoori Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi in early 2027.