Salah Elmur Opening Talk 2026 in Dubai

The Salah Elmur Opening Talk in Dubai marks the launch of the Sudanese artist’s solo exhibition, “Just as the Heart of a Mango is a Stone”, at Jameel Arts Centre on Saturday 31 October 2026. Held in the centre’s Lobby on Jaddaf Waterfront from 17:00 to 20:00, the evening brings together conversation, sound and live music as the exhibition opens to the public.

It is a chance to hear an artist talk about his own work in person, on the very day the show begins, which is always a special way to meet an exhibition for the first time.

About Salah Elmur Opening Talk in Dubai

Salah Elmur is a Sudanese artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture and image-making, drawing on memory, place and personal history. His new exhibition at Jameel Arts Centre brings his sculptures together with a newly commissioned sound work, and the opening evening is designed as an introduction to both.

You do not need any background in art to enjoy it. If you are interested in stories, images and music, you will find plenty to take away, and the talk is a helpful way into the exhibition before you explore it yourself.

The evening is shaped in three parts: a conversation with the artist, the debut of the new sound work, and a closing musical performance. Together they give a fuller picture of the show than the artworks alone.

What to Expect

In Conversation: Salah Elmur and Melissa Gronlund

The artist is joined by writer Melissa Gronlund, editor of the monograph “Salah Elmur: Ten Seasons”. Their discussion covers his practice, his biography and the themes that run through the new exhibition.

A New Sound Work

The opening also sees the debut of an Art Jameel sound work commissioned alongside Elmur’s sculptures. It draws on Sufi music and on the landscapes and soundscapes of Sudan, adding another layer to the way you experience the exhibition.

Performance by Asim Eltayeb Gurashi

The evening closes with a live performance by musician Asim Eltayeb Gurashi, a fitting end to a programme that moves between words, sound and music.

Key Highlights

• Opening of Salah Elmur’s solo exhibition “Just as the Heart of a Mango is a Stone”
• Salah Elmur in conversation with writer Melissa Gronlund
• Melissa Gronlund is editor of the monograph “Salah Elmur: Ten Seasons”
• Debut of a new sound work inspired by Sufi music and the soundscapes of Sudan
• Live performance by musician Asim Eltayeb Gurashi
• RSVP recommended

Who It Is For

This evening suits contemporary art lovers, anyone curious about art from Sudan, and music fans drawn to Sufi traditions. It is also a relaxed introduction for people who rarely go to exhibition openings, as the conversation format helps explain the work. Students and writers interested in how artists talk about their practice will find it particularly rewarding.

If you enjoy pairing a talk with time in the galleries, it is worth building your Saturday around the visit.

The Venue: Jameel Arts Centre

Jameel Arts Centre sits on Jaddaf Waterfront beside Dubai Creek, and the talk takes place in its Lobby. Visitors check in at the Welcome Desk on arrival. The centre is open from 10:00 to 20:00, from 12:00 on Fridays, and closed on Tuesdays, so on the day you can come earlier and explore before the programme begins.

Visitor Tips

• RSVP ahead: an RSVP is recommended, so complete the form on the official event page before the day.
• Check in on arrival: head to the Welcome Desk when you arrive.
• Arrive a little early: getting there before 17:00 lets you settle in calmly before the conversation starts.
• Make a day of it: with the centre open from 10:00, you could spend time in the galleries before the talk.
• Stay for the music: the live performance closes the evening, so plan to stay until the end.
• Bring a notebook: if you like jotting down thoughts during talks, it can help when you return to the exhibition later.

For anyone who loves contemporary art, the Salah Elmur Opening Talk in Dubai is a thoughtful way to spend a Saturday evening by the creek. RSVP on the official form and be among the first to experience the new exhibition.