“I see myself as an agent of cultural transformation,” says 26-year-old Maryam Al Falasi, the energetic founder of Iris Projects, an Abu Dhabi-based visual arts and culture agency and contemporary gallery. “I believe this region is on the brink of a renaissance, and I want to be at the forefront of the contemporary art scene.”

As far as cultural conduits go, the region’s artists could not hope for a better or more passionate champion than Maryam, for whom facilitating conversations – not only between artist and patron, but also with the wider creative community regionally and internationally – informs her life’s purpose.

“I think art chose me,” she says of her formative years. “When we would travel, my mother would take me to museums and galleries, exposing me to art and artists. I always had the same question – ‘Are there artists from my country? And if so, why aren’t they showing them in these museums?’”

It’s a question which would influence her decision to study Art History and Archaeology at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and launch Iris Projects upon her graduation. It became “the first commercial gallery in the cultural neighbourhood” in MiZa, Abu Dhabi.

“I consider myself an entrepreneur,” she says with the confidence of someone who has found their calling. “I see myself as the company and the company as me. But I don’t think about myself alone – I think about the artists I represent. If they believe in me and this mission, any challenges I go through are for the purpose of something bigger than myself.”

Giving back is at the forefront of Maryam’s mind, and, born creative that she is, it’s something she does in ways that are both traditional and unconventional.

“I believe in accessibility,” she reveals. “On social media, I show not just our accomplishments but also the hard times – issues with an installation, what happens when something is delayed, what a day of back-to-back meetings looks like.” 

“I also love talking at schools and universities, as well as searching for new talent and giving them an exhibition, catalogue, and curator,” she elaborates. “I hope this inspires other artists in their careers.”

As a proud Emirati, Maryam is keen to give back, ruminating on how inspiring the relationship between one’s nation and oneself can be. “The country has given us so much that you also want to give back as much as you can,” she concludes. “As an Emirati, you have this in your DNA – we are that kind
of people.”