At just 26, Maryam Al Falasi has emerged as one of the UAE’s youngest and most dynamic art patrons — a collector, advisor and founder of Iris Projects, a commercial gallery redefining regional representation in Abu Dhabi.
In a country rapidly positioning itself as a global cultural hub, Al Falasi represents a new generation of Emirati women leading from the front.
Building a Platform for GCC Voices
Founded in 2024 in MiZa at Mina Zayed Port, Iris Projects is the first commercial gallery in the district to focus primarily on regional voices from across the GCC. Since 2020, Al Falasi has helped expand the UAE’s creative ecosystem by connecting more than 200 collectors with emerging artists.
The gallery currently represents nine artists and goes beyond traditional representation. Each artist is paired with a tailored mentorship programme — whether with a curator, critic or fellow artist — ensuring long-term development rather than short-term exposure.
Among the artists she supports are Shamsa Al Omaira, whose exhibition Hard Like Tears, Soft Like Glass runs through April 30, and Alyazia Al Nahyan, now included in major private collections and in discussions with international museums.
For Al Falasi, nurturing local talent is essential if Emirati and Gulf artists are to stand confidently alongside international names.
A Cultural Legacy Rooted in History
Born in Dubai and raised in a family that valued music, literature and theatre, Al Falasi’s passion for culture began early. She often cites her fascination with Alexander the Great as a reminder that ambition has no age limit.
Beyond the gallery, she is also developing a digital archive documenting the UAE’s cultural history — a project initiated by her late grandfather, one of the country’s early pioneers in theatre and arts during the 1950s.
The archive, accessible through New York University Abu Dhabi, includes rare historical documents, photographs and even materials connected to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, offering insight into the nation’s formative years.
In 2018, Al Falasi became the youngest contributor to Abu Dhabi’s Qasr Al Hosn museum and later loaned items to the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai — reinforcing her role as both patron and cultural custodian.
Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Moment
As Abu Dhabi prepares for the opening of the Guggenheim and anticipates the arrival of Frieze Abu Dhabi, Al Falasi believes the capital is entering a transformative era.
Her mission with Iris Projects is simple but powerful: to create an accessible space where collectors feel welcome, artists feel supported and regional creativity is elevated on a global stage.
At 26, Maryam Al Falasi is not just participating in the UAE’s art movement — she is actively shaping its future.
