Arab Culture and Heritage

Art Foundation

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The Bassam Freiha Art Foundation

Building on Bassam Said Freiha’s life-long passion for the arts and collecting Orientalist art works, the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (BFAF) was founded in March 2024 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the UAE being Bassam Said Freiha’s adopted home, it felt only natural that he should establish his beautiful private art collection on Saadiyat Island, the vibrant cultural district of Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital.

Created to showcase the true depth of Arab culture and heritage, inspire the next generation, and nurture emerging talents from the region, the striking art gallery displays Bassam Said Freiha’s own personal collection of orientalist paintings, alongside a revolving programme of fascinating art collections from global, regional, and local artists.

Galleries and events

Free and open to everyone, the main gallery features amazing works by iconic Orientalist artists such as Rudolf Ernst, Léon Comerre, Paul Leroy, Jan-Baptist Huysmans, Vincent Stiepevich, Georges Washington, Fabio Fabbi, Maguelonne Lefebvre-Glaize and Marie-Antoinette Izart, and other nineteenth century Orientalist paintings that Bassam Said Freiha has collected over the past 50 years.

Far more than just a place to admire impressive artworks, Bassam Said Freiha ensures that his foundation makes efforts to educate emerging artists, and nurture up-and-coming talents. The space hosts a varied year-round line-up of artistic workshops and events, and invites international artists to participate in exhibitions.

Fostering cultural understanding

Honouring Bassam Said Freiha’s commitment to supporting emerging artists, it also provides grants, scholarships, and residences for new artists.  Building on Bassam Said Freiha’s desire to encourage peace between different cultures from across the globe, the inspiring environment serves as a space for cultural exchange and dialogue, and it encourages the public to engage with the arts like never before.

Housed in a magnificent, cubic glass building, the very design of the BFAF is said to reflect the robustness, strength, and artistic vision of Bassam Said Freiha himself. The BFAF is open daily. For more information please visit bfaf.ae.