The NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation has announced the winning name for The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2025. The victory in the thirteenth edition of the Award goes to Hannad Arshad, under the mentorship of Assistant Professor at the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at the American University of Sharjah (AUS), Christianna Bonin.
Hannan is a UAE-based Indian artist and graphic designer, who explores storytelling through materials, fabrication, and historical research. Majorly focused on the dialogue and cultural memory, her work includes installation, print, digital media, film, and photography. Initially interested in Mughal history as she visited the Raza Library in Rampur and the Bada Imambara in Lucknow, she later developed her attentiveness into Safekeeping Stories during her senior studio with Assistant Professor Amparo Baquerizas Carreras, at AUS. What she submitted in her project expanded to encompass larger sculptural and architectural references, reimagining the past as something tactile, participatory, and alive.
The artist recreated traditional Lakhori bricks, alongside nearly-forgotten brick and mortar Mughal techniques, that incorporate edible materials. Then, she etched those bricks with her own interpretation of Mughal miniature paintings, which transformed a historical building block into a medium for visual and written archiving. The bricks were arranged to resemble a library inviting viewers to engage with history by physically removing each book from the structure.
Executive Director of The NYUAD Art Gallery and the University’s Chief Curator Maya Allison said,
“Safekeeping Stories exemplifies the power of art to bridge memory, place, and material tradition. At the NYUAD Art Gallery, we are committed to nurturing emerging artists through mentorship and resources that help bring ambitious ideas to life. This installation is a poignant response to cultural loss, and a compelling example of how historical narratives can be reimagined through contemporary public art.”
The motive behind her project was to emphasize the simple idea; to protect heritage from political and environmental threats. Further, she plans to expand the installation and collaborate with communities in the UAE and beyond, using art to spark conversations around memory, identity, and preservation.
Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Abu Dhabi Festival, said,
“The continuation of civilisation and the renaissance of humanity are based on our appreciation of our cultural memory and heritage, and our celebration of its tangible and intangible masterpieces, from sculpture and architecture to customs, traditions, and values. By preserving them throughout history, we inspire generations, express our close connection to the past and our hopeful outlook on the future.”
The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award has been a powerful force in the arts since its inception in 2013, proudly supported by Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan. This award serves as a vital launchpad for artists throughout the Emirates. It not only champions the creation of innovative artwork but also equips winners with essential insights into the dynamics of a professional art career, from commissioning to exhibition.
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