Beyond the Canvas

In February 2024, Hedonist Gallery proudly presented PICASSO | DALI | MIRO, an extraordinary exhibition that brought together the works of three of the most influential artists of the 20th century Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró. This curated collection offered an immersive journey through the distinct yet interwoven artistic landscapes that each master cultivated.

The exhibition highlighted Picasso's groundbreaking explorations in Cubism, Dalí's surreal dreamscapes, and Miró's whimsical abstractions, showcasing their unparalleled contributions to modern art. Visitors were invited to explore the bold innovations and unique visions that these Spanish icons brought to the art world, each piece a testament to their revolutionary spirit and creative genius.

In October 2024, Hedonist Gallery presented The Realm of Neo-Renaissance, a solo exhibition by visionary artist Cesc Abad. Known for merging classical Renaissance motifs with modernist sensibilities, Abad offered a fresh perspective on timeless themes.

The exhibition featured striking works that blended the elegance of Renaissance art with contemporary abstraction, creating a dialogue across centuries. The Realm of Neo-Renaissance invited visitors to reconsider historical grandeur in a modern context, challenging traditional narratives and inspiring new interpretations.

Abad’s vibrant compositions and thoughtful contrasts demonstrated his mastery in transforming classical inspiration into innovative visual narratives. The exhibition provided a captivating exploration of artistic evolution, engaging audiences in a reflection on creativity and its enduring continuum.

In July 2025, Hedonist Gallery presented Pablo Picasso Gold and Silver, an exhibition dedicated to the rare jewelry creations conceived by Pablo Picasso and realized in collaboration with master goldsmith François Hugo. This landmark show unveiled a lesser-known facet of Picasso’s genius, his designs for medallions and plates, envisioned as sculptural extensions of his artistic vision.

These limited edition gold and silver works, each drawn with Picasso’s characteristic immediacy and transformed into precious metal through Hugo’s craftsmanship, reflect a dialogue of trust and innovation between artist and artisan. Produced in extremely small numbers and seldom seen outside private collections or major institutions, their presentation in Dubai offered a rare cultural moment, an intimate encounter with the wearable legacy of one of the 20th century’s greatest masters.

In June 2025, Hedonist Gallery’s Abu Dhabi space was transformed into a world of vivid colors, rhythm, and theatrical presence with The Carnival of Darwich, a solo exhibition by renowned Lebanese artist Raouf Rifai. Known for his iconic "Darwich" figures, Rifai staged a dynamic takeover of the gallery, immersing visitors in a carnival-like atmosphere where tradition, folklore, and contemporary expression converged.

The exhibition unfolded as a procession of Darwich characters, each a symbolic reflection of the individual within society, rendered with Rifai’s signature bold palettes, layered textures, and playful yet profound compositions. At once celebratory and contemplative, the works invited audiences to reflect on identity, community, and cultural memory through the lens of the Darwich, a figure that oscillates between satire and sincerity.

By inhabiting the entirety of the Abu Dhabi space, The Carnival of Darwich blurred the boundaries between artwork and environment, performance and display. The result was an experiential encounter that echoed the spirit of a carnival, an arena of color, movement, and multiplicity, while rooting itself deeply in the human condition.