The ’Inner Worlds’ film series visits creatives in the places that inspire them

For curator Hoor Al Qasimi, art is a powerful tool for transformation. Recently topping ArtReview’s Power 100, Al Qasimi has spent over two decades reimagining Sharjah’s cultural landscape. Through her work developing pioneering institutions like the Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah Architecture Triennial, and the Africa Institute, she’s championed artists from both the Gulf region and further afield, revitalized heritage areas, and turned neglected spaces across Sharjah into hubs of artistic innovation and dialogue.

In this episode of 'Inner Worlds,’ Al Qasimi shares insights into the patience and persistence required for lasting cultural impact. ‘When I started, it was challenging because I wanted to change a lot of things,’ she says in the film, ‘I realized it takes a generation growing up with what you’ve done to see the change.’

The film takes us through some of Sharjah’s most distinctive spaces, including Old Al Jubail – once a bustling market now reimagined as exhibition halls – and The Flying Saucer – a striking 1970s Brutalist building reborn as a community hub. For Al Qasimi, art’s role extends beyond aesthetics; it serves as a means to tackle universal issues. ‘It’s important to bring artists together to share common concerns,’ she shares, ’At the end of the day, no matter how far we are from each other, everybody has the same struggles.’ 

Hoor Al Qasimi is the president and director of the Sharjah Art Foundation. The film was shot onsite at in the United Arab Emirates at the Sharjah Biennale 16, titled ‘to carry’ which runs through June 15, 2025. She is a member of the inaugural jury of the Art Basel Awards, which celebrate boundary-pushing artists, curators, institutions, patrons, cross-disciplinary luminaries, and cultural innovators whose work is driving the future evolution of contemporary art.

Also featured in the film from Sharjah Art Foundation are Vice President Nawar Al Qassimi and Head of Curatorial Jiwon Lee.