Reflections: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Villain Collection

13 February, 2026
31 May, 2026

Fairouz and Jean-Paul Villain

Jean-Paul and Fairouz Villain are collectors whose journey has been shaped by attention, dialogue, and a continuous openness to discovery. Their approach to collecting has evolved organically, informed by lived experience, intellectual curiosity, and a sustained engagement with culture.

 

Before settling in Abu Dhabi, the Villains focused on 18th-century French furniture and 16th-century paintings. Their move to the UAE marked a turning point, leading them to explore the artistic narratives of the Middle East. Over time, and guided by Fairouz Villain’s cultural knowledge, their focus shifted decisively toward modern and contemporary Arab art.

 

The collection as it stands today took shape approximately two decades ago, beginning with modern art from Syria and Lebanon and expanding to include early works from the UAE, including a seminal acquisition by Hassan Sharif. As the regional art scene evolved, so too did the Villains’ vision, embracing contemporary practices, conceptual approaches, and diverse artistic languages that reflect the dynamism of the Arab world.

 

Beyond collecting, Fairouz Villain has played an active role in Abu Dhabi’s cultural life. She is a patron of the Centre Pompidou for the Middle East, a founding force behind the Friends of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and has contributed significantly to cultural exchange through music and the arts. She has been awarded the titles of Knight of the Legion of Honour and Knight of Arts and Letters. Jean-Paul Villain has likewise been recognised as an Officer of the Legion of Honour and an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

 

At the heart of their practice lies a belief that art gains meaning through exchange. Their home has long served as a gathering place for artists, scholars, musicians, and art lovers, reflecting a commitment to dialogue, generosity, and shared experience. The Villain Collection is not a closed narrative, but an evolving framework shaped by curiosity and connection.

Reflections: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Villain Collection presents a selection of works that trace the evolution of Arab art from modernism to contemporary expression. The exhibition brings together pioneering figures and contemporary voices, forming a visual narrative that bridges generations, geographies, and artistic movements.


Rooted in authenticity and emotional resonance, the works reflect moments of awakening, resilience, and poetic expression. From abstraction and calligraphy to conceptual and experimental practices, the exhibition reveals how artists have continuously redefined identity, heritage, and belonging through visual language.


The collection’s strength lies in its coherence and diversity. It brings together multiple sensibilities, revealing a culture in constant dialogue between tradition and innovation. Each artwork contributes to a broader conversation, one that speaks not only to the Arab world but to shared human experience.


The exhibition extends the Villains’ long-held philosophy of openness, inviting the public into what has long been a private journey. It is an invitation to contemplate, to engage in dialogue, and to encounter art as a living force that connects past and present.

Khaled Zaki, (Egypt, b. 1964)
Crossing Borders
2022
73 × 36.5 cm
White Marble
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Mohammad Ahmed Ibrahim, (United Arab Emirates, b. 1962)
Untitled
2020
40 × 35 × 20 cm
Papier–mache, straw, seeds, glue, and cardboard
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Adam Henein, (Egypt, 1929–2020)
The Reader
1968–1969
40 × 32 cm
Bronze 6/8
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, (United Arab Emirates, b.1962)
Pinky Boulevard
2020
155 × 155 cm
Acrylic on canvas
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Hassan Sharif, United Arab Emirates, 1951–2016
Garden Series 6
2007
144 × 114 cm
Oil on canvas
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Shaikha Al Mazrou, (United Arab Emirates, b.1988)
Rhythm or Rhyme
2021
90 × 90 cm
Wet-coated steel
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Ezzedine Hamouda, (Egypt, 1919–1990)
Nubian Woman
1943
46 × 45 cm
Oil on panel
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Inji Aflatoun, (Egypt, 1924–1989)
Untitled
1970
55 × 75 cm
Oil on panel
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Baya Mahieddine, (Algeria, 1931–1998)
Untitled
1990
64 × 100 cm
Mixed media on paper
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Dia Azzawi, (Iraq, b.1939)
Voyager
2007
120 × 120 cm
Acrylic on canvas
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Samia Halaby, (Palestine–United States of America, b.1936)
Breaking Through
2021
180 × 180 cm
Acrylic on canvas
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain
Paul Guiragossian, (Armenia–Lebanon, 1926–1993)
Innocence
circa 1990
100 × 70.5 cm
Oil on canvas
Courtesy of Fairouz & Jean-Paul Villain

Museum Hours

9:30–6:00, Monday Until 8:00

Museum Location

2270 S Real Camino Lake California

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