Ishara Art Foundation

Ishara Art Foundation is an independent non-profit organisation founded in 2019 by leading art patron and collector Smita Prabhakar, dedicated to presenting contemporary art of South Asia and its diaspora. The name ‘Ishara’ — meaning a gesture, signal, or hint in Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Swahili, and Urdu — reflects the foundation’s commitment to connection: specifically the deep, centuries-long ties between the Gulf and South Asia, which today sees South Asian communities comprising approximately 60% of the UAE’s population. Located at 3 Alserkal Avenue in Dubai, Ishara presents a research-led programme of exhibitions, commissions, educational initiatives, and public events that advance critical dialogue and explore global interconnections between South Asia and the rest of the world. The Ishara Art Foundation and the Prabhakar Collection focuses on South Asian contemporary artworks representing diverse voices across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, with works regularly loaned to international museum exhibitions. Artists represented include Zarina, Dayanita Singh, Amar Kanwar, Haroon Mirza, and Shilpa Gupta. The foundation facilitates exchange across institutions, galleries, and cultural networks worldwide. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm. A uniquely significant institution within the UAE’s cultural landscape.