The Festival Curator's Tale:
A Journey Through In Motion

“Across history, the drive to explore has propelled both human progress and artistic inspiration. Today, artists plunge into uncharted realms, navigating landscapes and dimensions to unveil diverse connections and cultures.

The Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival seamlessly integrates motion, culture, and perception, immersing participants in a dynamic narrative. Guided through the enchanting Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, visitors traverse storied pathways, encountering captivating installations by local and international artists that harmonize with this year’s Festival theme: In Motion.

Amidst this evolving scene, movement becomes an opportunity to discover new cultures, reconnect with forgotten histories, and celebrate uniqueness. This Festival unveils more than art—it reveals a story flourishing in this remarkable place, a testament to our human journey.”

alfio_name

Festival Curator

alfio_statement_photo

Our 2025
Artist-In-Residence
Anja Bamberg

anja

We are thrilled to introduce Anja Bamberg as our Artist-in-Residence for 2025. A German artist and art therapist currently living in Dubai, Anja has pursued a career as an art therapist alongside her personal arts practice over the last 20 years. Growing up next to the Baltic Sea, she focusing mainly on paintings with water and the sea as an essential focus.

“Capturing my favorite topic WATER has been an essential part of my artistic work over the last 20 years, perhaps because I grew up by an ocean, and everything around this theme still fascinates me today,” says Anja.

You can find Anja’s Festival Art Installation during the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2025 Festival at Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village.

curator

2024 Curatorial Bio

Alfio Tommasini

Born in Lodano, Switzerland, Alfio Tommasini is a photographer, curator, and artistic director interested in the relationship people have with the territory they live in. He has exhibited and published work internationally, receiving several awards for his photography work. Alfio is the co-founder of Verzasca Foto Festival, where he’s responsible for the artistic direction and curation. He also works as a freelance photographer and is interested in local and international collaborations.

2024 Curatorial Note (1)

Throughout history, the urge to explore has fueled both humanity's progress and artists' inspiration. Today, this drive propels artists into uncharted territories of the physical world and abstract realms, seeking unexplored connections and diverse cultures.

Ras Al Khaimah Art merges motion, culture, and perception. Our exhibition route and events immerse you in this dynamic narrative, becoming a part of the very essence of movement. Step by step through the heritage village's storied pathways, you'll encounter captivating installations. Crafted by local and international artists, these masterpieces harmonize with this year's Festival theme: In Motion.

Like the pioneers of the Emirates, who epitomized exploration, today's nation is a hub of work and leisure. In this evolving scene, movement offers a chance to unearth new cultures, reconnect with forgotten histories, and celebrate uniqueness.

Art is a realm where motion embodies evolution. Ras Al Khaimah Art goes beyond aesthetics, birthing a cultural movement resonating through time. Amid the enchanting landscape of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, join us in discovering life's essence through culture, art, and movement. Ras Al Khaimah Art reveals more than just art; it mirrors our human journey—a story flourishing in this remarkable place.

Highlights

Highlights

Founded in 2013, we’ve grown from a small festival of 30 emerging Ras Al Khaimah-based artists to become the emirate’s cultural event of the year. Since 2019, the Festival has called Al Jazirah Al Hamra Heritage Village home, hosting a large-scale, outdoor exhibition modeled after La Gacilly Photo Festival in France. The historic home of the Al Zaabi tribe, the traditional pearling village now serves as a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary art, bringing together art lovers, history enthusiasts, and the rest of the community to engage with new forms of art and learn about Ras Al Khaimah’s rich history. In recognition of Ras Al Khaimah’s connection to the desert, the mountains, and the sea, RAFKAF also hosts satellite exhibitions on the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, and luxury beach destination, Marjan Island.

RAKART25_Map_final_jan 7 2025 1710

Travel Information

Located just about 70 kilometers from Dubai Terminal 3, the journey to the 2025 Festival at Al Jazeera Al Hamra is both quick and convenient. This short trip, averaging around an hour, leads you to the heart of the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, where a world of cultural enrichment awaits.

map_website
grants-1

Travel Information

Founded in 2013, we’ve grown from a small festival of 30 emerging Ras Al Khaimah-based artists to become the emirate’s cultural event of the year. Since 2019, the Festival has called Al Jazirah Al Hamra Heritage Village home, hosting a large-scale, outdoor exhibition modeled after La Gacilly Photo Festival in France. The historic home of the Al Zaabi tribe, the traditional pearling village now serves as a bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary art, bringing together art lovers, history enthusiasts, and the rest of the community to engage with new forms of art and learn about Ras Al Khaimah’s rich history. In recognition of Ras Al Khaimah’s connection to the desert, the mountains, and the sea, RAFKAF also hosts satellite exhibitions on the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais, and luxury beach destination, Marjan Island.

MILESTONES

Past Festivals

  • 2022
  • 150+ Artists
  • 49 Nationalities
  • 2021
  • 111 Artists
  • 49 Nationalities
  • 2020
  • 110 Artists
  • 33 Nationalities
  • 2019
  • 74 Artists
  • 31 Nationalities
  • 2018
  • 84 Artists
  • 30 Nationalities
  • 2017
  • 64 Artists
  • 31 Nationalities
  • 2016
  • 73 Artists
  • 31 Nationalities
  • 2015
  • 65 Artists
  • 24 Nationalities
  • 2014
  • 41 Artists
  • 16 Nationalities
  • 2013
  • 26 Artists
  • 12 Nationalities
  • 2021
  • 11 Artists
  • 2021
  • 11 Artists
 

Past Festivals

com-1

Throughout history, the urge to explore has fueled both humanity's progress and artists' inspiration. Today, this drive propels artists into uncharted territories of the physical world and abstract realms, seeking unexplored connections and diverse cultures.

Ras Al Khaimah Art merges motion, culture, and perception. Our exhibition route and events immerse you in this dynamic narrative, becoming a part of the very essence of movement. Step by step through the heritage village's storied pathways, you'll encounter captivating installations. Crafted by local and international artists, these masterpieces harmonize with this year's Festival theme: In Motion.

Like the pioneers of the Emirates, who epitomized exploration, today's nation is a hub of work and leisure. In this evolving scene, movement offers a chance to unearth new cultures, reconnect with forgotten histories, and celebrate uniqueness.

Art is a realm where motion embodies evolution. Ras Al Khaimah Art goes beyond aesthetics, birthing a cultural movement resonating through time. Amid the enchanting landscape of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village, join us in discovering life's essence through culture, art, and movement. Ras Al Khaimah Art reveals more than just art; it mirrors our human journey—a story flourishing in this remarkable place.

 

Festival Map

Click below to download a copy of the 2024 Festival map