Khaled Esguerra alters street-inspired art at Ishara Art Foundation

In the "No Trespassing" exhibition at the Ishara Art Foundation in the UAE, Khaled Esguerra presents his largest work to date, a participatory installation that invites viewers to walk across the art itself. This large-scale participatory installation examines the shifting identity of Abu Dhabi.

Esguerra, an Abu Dhabi-born artist, encourages viewers to break the unspoken rules of gallery etiquette, prompting them to question their role in manufactured changes in historic neighbourhoods. His artwork serves as a critique of redevelopment schemes, confronting viewers with the vocabulary associated with these changes.

The installation, a significant community effort according to Esguerra, uses copier paper, commonly associated with city advertisements, to mimic street aesthetics. More than 800 sheets of carbon paper are glued to this copier paper, creating a layered piece that invites introspection.

Words such as "heritage," "legacy," and "authentic" emerge beneath these layers, prompting viewers to consider their meanings in the context of redevelopment. Esguerra's work examines the identity of Abu Dhabi through its architecture, language, and everyday textures.

The "No Trespassing" exhibition, which runs until August 30, features six UAE-based and South Asian artists, including Esguerra. His work spans photography, sculpture, and performance. The show explores boundaries, physical, cultural, and institutional, through street art aesthetics.

Another notable work in the exhibition is Hassan Sharif's interactive installation, which focuses on boundaries from a different perspective. Sharif's installation, part of the Ishara Art Foundation's Summer Exhibition Program, is controversial and thought-provoking, adding depth to the exhibition's themes.

Visitors to the "No Trespassing" exhibition are encouraged to engage with the art, to walk across Esguerra's installation and consider the role they play in the city's redevelopment. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the changing identity of Abu Dhabi and the impact of development on its heritage and culture.