If you are looking for something different to do this summer, Sharjah Art Foundation has just opened one of the most intriguing exhibitions in the UAE. Body Quotidian is now showing at Gallery 6 in Al Mureijah Square, bringing together new works by UAE-based artists Laila Majid and Inaam Zafar. Entry is completely free, and the show runs until September 20, 2026.
What makes it stand out is how it transforms everyday objects into something unexpectedly strange. A fogged-up bathroom mirror becomes an immersive artwork. A street lamp turns into a glowing moon. Hidden faces emerge from ordinary scenes. It is the kind of exhibition that makes visitors stop, look again, and suddenly notice details they missed the first time.
The Exhibition That Makes Everyday Objects Feel Different
Body Quotidian features recent sculptures, photographs, and paintings that explore how the human body shapes perception, memory, and everyday experience. Curated by Raja'a Khalid, Assistant Curator at Sharjah Art Foundation, the show places both artists in dialogue with one another.
Both Laila Majid and Inaam Zafar use metaphor throughout their work, creating pieces that reflect on physical presence in a world increasingly shaped by technology, digital imagery, and shifting ideas of beauty and identity.
Rather than presenting straightforward narratives, the exhibition invites viewers to spend time with familiar objects and reconsider them from new perspectives.
Laila Majid Turns Household Objects Into Art
A major highlight of the exhibition is the work of Laila Majid, whose installations transform ordinary domestic elements into unexpected visual experiences.
Steam 07 (2026) features a bathroom mirror covered in steam, creating a constantly shifting surface where reflections and imagery merge. The work changes depending on where viewers stand, making each interaction unique.
Blinds (2026) uses latex forms that cast warm, human-toned light across the gallery space. The installation references curtains and room dividers commonly found in homes while creating an atmosphere that feels both familiar and unsettling.
Her ongoing The Chaser series takes inspiration from cat toys, incorporating faux fur, feathers, and tinsel to create playful forms that appear animated and constantly in motion.
Inaam Zafar Reimagines the Everyday
Inaam Zafar approaches ordinary objects from a different direction, transforming common gestures and urban fixtures into dream-like artworks that explore grief, presence, memory, and collective experience.
Bent Moon (2025) reimagines a street lamp as a glowing celestial object suspended between reality and imagination.
To See and Not See (2025) challenges perception by revealing a hidden face within what initially appears to be a simple arrangement of everyday objects.
Automatism of Doubts (2026) presents a circle of outstretched hands that suggests connection and community while leaving interpretation open to the viewer.
Mourners (2026) transforms familiar human gestures into a powerful reflection on collective grief and shared emotion.
Why People Are Stopping to Stare
Body Quotidian is not an exhibition you rush through.
Many of the works appear simple at first glance. Then details begin to reveal themselves. Reflections shift. Shapes change. Hidden figures emerge. Meanings evolve.
It is the type of exhibition where visitors often find themselves standing in front of a single artwork much longer than expected.
Make a Full Day Out of It
The exhibition is located in Al Mureijah Square, one of Sharjah's most important cultural districts, making it easy to combine with other nearby attractions.
Visitors can explore Al Majarrah Park, which recently reopened with free entry, or continue their cultural day at the famous Rain Room, where guests can walk through falling water without getting wet.
Before leaving, stop by the Sharjah Art Foundation shops to browse books, prints, and design objects inspired by the foundation's exhibitions and collections.
Body Quotidian Exhibition Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exhibition | Body Quotidian |
| Artists | Laila Majid and Inaam Zafar |
| Venue | Gallery 6, Al Mureijah Square, Sharjah |
| Dates | June 13 – September 20, 2026 |
| Entry | Free |
| Organiser | Sharjah Art Foundation |
The Verdict
Sharjah continues to prove why it remains one of the UAE's most important cultural destinations.
Whether you are interested in contemporary art, looking for a unique weekend activity, or simply want an excuse to explore something outside Dubai, Body Quotidian delivers an experience that feels thoughtful, surprising, and genuinely memorable.
Best of all, it costs absolutely nothing to visit.
