November 15 , 2025
03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Aditya Birla Auditorium | On-site
This panel will examine how cultural hubs across South Asia and the Middle East are evolving from sites of display into dynamic platforms that foreground regional histories, identities, and urgencies. Spanning Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, and India, the discussion will explore how bold curatorial visions are supported by innovative patronage models, from state-led initiatives and institutional collaborations to private collectors and philanthropists. Panelists will consider how these forces help build long-term cultural ecosystems, enabling institutions to move beyond a postcolonial lens and highlight self-governed identities, narratives, and aesthetics through their exhibitions and programming
Arnaud Morand is an independent curator focused on emerging contemporary art scenes across Europe and the Middle East. He currently leads the arts development for the AlUla project, shaping its museums and cultural initiatives. In 2022, he co-curated Noor Riyadh, the citywide festival of light and art, and serves on the Artistic Committee of Salon de Montrouge. Formerly France’s Cultural Attaché in Abu Dhabi, he helped launch Louvre Abu Dhabi and curated major cultural programs. A graduate of Sciences Po and UC Berkeley, he was named Knight of the Order of Arts & Letters in 2021.
Shafeena Yusuff Ali is the Founder and Executive Director of the Rizq Art Initiative (RAi), championing artists from the Global South and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape. Recognized as one of the Middle East’s most influential women, she launched RAi in 2023 to realize her vision of integrating art with strategy. Holding an MBA from Oxford and a Master’s in Social Innovation from Cambridge, Shafeena also co-founded the Adeeb and Shafeena Action Research Foundation, driving initiatives in education, healthcare, childcare, and community development across India.
Rajeev Gopinadh is the Temporary Exhibitions & Special Projects Manager at Louvre Abu Dhabi, shaping major international shows. With over 15 years of experience, he has led innovative art initiatives across the Middle East. At Qatar Museums, he contributed to the launch of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art and collaborated with OMA and KAWS on landmark exhibitions. He also produced Noor Riyadh’s inaugural light festival and curated public programs for AlUla, including Desert X 2022. Rajeev holds a Master’s in Art History and Connoisseurship from Christie’s Education, New York.
Sasha Altaf is the Director and Curator of the Ishara Art Foundation in Dubai, with over 20 years of experience shaping discourse on feminism in Indian contemporary and visual arts. She previously led Volte Art Projects’ Dubai outpost, directed Talwar Gallery, and taught at the University of Miami. Altaf has curated major exhibitions in India and the UAE, including shows by Rashid Rana, Sheba Chhachi, Shambhavi Singh, and Nasreen Mohamedi. She is also the author of ALTAF: The Journals (1963–1973) and a regular contributor to prominent art publications.
Asad Lalljee is Senior Vice President of Essar Group, CEO of Avid Learning, and Curator of the Royal Opera House, Mumbai. Formerly a Madison Avenue advertising executive, he has transformed Avid Learning into India’s leading cultural hub and re-established the Opera House as a city landmark. He serves on FICCI’s Tourism and Culture Committee, the Kala Ghoda Association, and the Mumbai Urban Art Festival advisory board. An early adopter of technology, he curates programs on AI and new media. He holds a B.A. in Economics from St. Xavier’s College and an M.A. in Global Marketing Communications from Emerson College.
