Timings

Wednesday, 16 December 2020
4:00 - 10:00 pm
Thursday, 17 December 2020
4:00 – 10:00 pm
Friday, 18 December 2020
4:00 – 10:00 pm
Saturday, 19 December 2020
2:00 – 10:00 pm

Book your visit here.

Overview

Sharjah Art Foundation’s annual art book fair, FOCAL POINT, returns for its third edition with a new range of printed matter and presentations by independent and established publishers. The platform, usually host to interdisciplinary art publications and independent and alternative practices, has expanded its reach to include titles on art history, theory and criticism, many of which have been sourced through academic presses.

In line with Sharjah Art Foundation’s role as a catalyst for collaboration and exchange within the Middle East and beyond, this edition of FOCAL POINT focuses on printed matter from the MEASA (Middle East, Africa, South Asia) region, such as artist books, academic volumes and journals, as well as zines and other artistic production by UAE creatives. These publications will be presented in SAF/EDIT, the Foundation’s own curated table, and across displays in the Independent section. Continuing to feature work from invited galleries and art institutions across the Emirates, the UAE section will highlight a selection of catalogues, artist books and other published matter produced locally or by represented artists from across the world.

This edition of FOCAL POINT will also present a number of new publications by the Foundation in the SAF Publications section, including the second edition of Corniche, an annual anthology of work by illustrators and comic artists based in the UAE; Hassan Sharif: I Am The Single Work Artist (Hoor Al Qasimi, ed.), a major volume of critical new research into the practice of the pioneering Emirati artist; Abdul Hay Mosallam Zarara (Ala Younis, ed.), a monograph on the Palestinian artist that includes extensive reproductions of his work and archives as well as personal memoirs; Art in the Age of Anxiety (Omar Kholeif, ed.), an expansive reader that brings together the work of thought leaders in the field of image and internet culture; Look for Me All Around You (Claire Tancons, ed.), the final volume of the Sharjah Biennial 14 three-volume set; and March Meeting 2019: Beyond the Echo Chamber, a compilation of individual responses from four March Meeting 2019 correspondents.

FOCAL POINT will take place on its home ground, the historic Bait Obaid Al Shamsi in Arts Square, and will be spread across four days instead of three. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, pre-booking is encouraged; however, booking at the venue is also possible. Read more about our safety rules and regulations here.

Learning workshops for children and youth as well as live music performances will run alongside the book fair. Details will be published on the website closer to the event. Workshop participation is free, but registration is required.

Participants

Africa Institute, Afterall, Art Africa, Al Saqi Books, Art Asia Pacific, BAZAR Art Book Fair, Bloomsbury Publishing, Chimurenga, Combined Academic Publishers, Dabanga Gallery, Darat Al Funun, Douxspace, Edition Patrick Frey, Fa9la.ae, Farside Collective, Fehras Publishing Practices, The Funambulist, GINGKO, Kawkab ElRasameen, Kayfa Ta, Khaleejesque, Khatt Books, LIFTA Volumes, Maamoul Press, Marg, Mariaam’s Store, Mophradat, Nang Magazine, Qamise, Rasamett, Rimal Books, Small Distribution Press, Snoubar Bayrout, Tabl Research and Experiment House, Tara Books, TokTok Magazine, Ugly Duckling Presse, Valiz, Vasl Artists' Association, Zuka Books.

Sana Abdul Majeed, Maliha Abidi, Maryam Ahmad and Aymen Ansari, Sara Al Dhubaib, Azim Al Ghussein, Mouza Al Hamrani, Mohamed Al Junaibi, Shaikha Al Maazmi, Mohammed Al Shaibani, Aysha Al Shamsi, Maryam Al Shamsi, Nasser Alzayani, Anas Bakeer, Ayesha Bin Haider, Dima Bittard, Yesmin Choutri, Alia and Maitha Damithan, Khalid Mezaina, Esraa Ramadan, Iman Shaggag, Zain.Voyage, Nora Zeid, and Amna Zuberi.

UAE

1x1 Art Gallery, Al Qasimi Publications, Art Jameel, Barjeel Art Foundation, Department of Culture / Sharjah, Emirates Fine Arts Society, Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde, Green Art Gallery, Grey Noise, Gulf Photo Plus, Kalimat, Lawrie Shabibi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Maraya Art Centre / 1971 Design Space, Meem Gallery, NYUAD Art Gallery, Sharjah Museums, The Third Line, UAE Ministry of Culture and Youth, and Warehouse421.

FOCAL POINT 2020 is free and open to the public. Please follow Sharjah Art Foundation’s health and safety guidelines for COVID-19.

#FOCALPOINTSharjah

Safety rules

FOCAL POINT 2020 Safety Rules and Regulations

To safeguard the health of our visitors and staff, the following rules, in line with Sharjah Health Authority regulations, will be instituted at the venue during FOCAL POINT 2020:

• Visitor capacity inside the venue will be limited to ensure adherence to recommended social distancing rules.
• Booths will be arranged to ensure social distancing is maintained throughout the fair.
• Visitors to FOCAL POINT 2020 are required to wear masks at all times in the venue.
• Visitors should keep a safe distance from others at all times.
• Visitors will be subject to temperature checks before entering the venue.
• Enhanced disinfection and sanitisation of the venue will take place between slots.
• Hand sanitisers and other sanitisation products will be available at all venue entrances.
• These health and safety rules are subject to change in line with any modifications to Sharjah Government regulations and policies.