Born to Chechen parents and raised in the borderless calm of Al Ain, Anita Shishani now channels her layered identity into her work as a painter, curator, and researcher in the UAE. When asked to describe herself as both an artist and a curator oscillating between different roles, Shishani reflects on the interplay and distinctions. As a curator, she sees herself as a node, positioned within a dynamic network of artists, curators, thinkers, and collaborators. The curatorial role, for her, is deeply social.

Anita Shishani. Photo Courtesy: the artist and the NYU Abu Dhabi Art Gallery.

In contrast, Shishani’s artistic practice is private and introspective. When she paints, she enters a quiet, immersive state: hoodie on, speaking little, entirely absorbed in the process. She explains that to access the vulnerable and authentic core of her creative work, she must create as if no one will ever see it. The moment she considers how the work might be perceived, or how it fits within institutional or market frameworks, it becomes performative.

“I think these two Anitas definitely inform each other and overlap [...] In order to inhabit the two roles properly, I keep strict boundaries in terms of the space and time where I practice as an artist and where I put together curatorial research and concepts.”

*A Crush*, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 100 cm. Photo Courtesy: Anita Shishani.

There are certain themes that are not just Shishani’s inspiration, but her obsessions, that arise in her work as a curator, as an artist, and all other aspects of her life. For Shishani, being Chechen is a complex legacy which informs both her worldview and creative practice. One of the daily challenges she faces is the fact that Chechnya remains largely unknown to most people she encounters. Having to explain her background from scratch can be exhausting, though she finds it meaningful when people listen, and even more so when they take the initiative to learn.

“Chechnya follows me wherever I go—from its ancient stoic culture and strict code of conduct to my memories of its famous mountains and nature in general, to the layers of trauma of soviet imperialism, genocide, and war.”

*Portrait of a Young Chechen*, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 70 cm. Photo Courtesy: Anita Shishani.

Living in the UAE, with its incredibly diverse population, has added layers to Shishani’s cultural awareness. Growing up in such a globalized environment taught her to see her Chechen identity through multiple lenses. This sensitivity to context has sharpened her ability to recognize cultural resonances, which often inspires both her curatorial and artistic work—as it did with her most recent curatorial project “Bygones”, which was shown at the New York University Abu Dhabi Art Gallery Project Space in February 2025.

She describes the Chechen identity as something that must be actively upheld—not inherited but earned. To be Chechen, one must live in accordance with the Waynakh code of honour, a philosophy that places dignity and integrity above even survival. This value system shapes her deeply, not only through her heritage but also through her Muslim faith and a personal affinity for Buddhist thought. In her practice and in her life, she strives to embody the Chechen values:

“Everything passes and nothing in this life is worth losing your dignity for, so make sure you act right. The Chechen ideal is striving to be fearless, to be unafraid of anyone except the higher power, and to feel a personal responsibility to your community. I try my best.”

*Khair and Ma'moon (Portrait of Two Young Chechens)*, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 90 x 60 cm. Photo Courtesy: Anita Shishani.

Shishani is inspired by many things. The painters that have inspired her for a long time are all portrait painters: Jenny Saville, Francis Bacon and Marlene Dumas. There are so many UAE-based artists that consistently inspire her, including Maitha Abdalla, Rand Abdul Jabbar, Bady Dalloul, Jumairy, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim and Reem Almenhali.

At the crux of what inspires Shishani is the ability in people to think for themselves. Today so much has been normalised that is not normal or healthy—the severance of the mindbody connection, social media addiction, lack of real community, hyper-individualism and hyper-consumerism, not to mention global political trends that are only speeding up the looming climate catastrophe. There are people in different fields that choose to follow their gut instinct that something is wrong, and research alternative ways of living, thinking and feeling. Their journeys fascinate Shishani, and oftentimes draw the same conclusions for these people. For example, many people she admires have suddenly taken up bird-watching, without discussing it first or knowing each other.

Anita Shishani. Photo Courtesy: the artist.

Shishani says that her brother, Boisghur, inspires her a lot: he is a computer programmer so they inhabit slightly different worlds, but often ask the same philosophical questions. For example, last year he was obsessed with The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky, and she had a life-changing experience with Vipassana; they both came to the same conclusion about the importance of boundless love and stoicism.

*Zimi*, 2023, acrylic on canvas, 50 x 70 cm. Photo Courtesy: Anita Shishani.

Shishani is currently developing a portrait series titled Portrait of a Young…, with each work incorporating the nationality of the sitter. The project began with portraits of herself and her family members as children but has since expanded to include her friends. At its core, the series explores the tension between cultural identity and individuality, particularly within diasporic contexts. It seeks to challenge stereotypes through the intimacy and complexity of the human face, offering a space where both cultural affiliation and personal essence can coexist.

“The portraits are specifically of children from the ages six to nine, around the period where you can see the essence of the sitter’s personality , but they have little control over their life, including what school they go to, what they’re wearing, or their haircut. I enjoy spending time with the portraits, which is a kind of meditation for me, and I try to send the person good energy and love while reading and painting their face. In about two years when the series concludes, I plan to show all the paintings in one exhibition, creating a warm, nuanced and personal reflection of my community in Abu Dhabi, of the people that mean the most to me, and how our cultural backgrounds are related.”

*Portrait of a Young Emirati (Alya)*, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 70 cm. Photo Courtesy: Anita Shishani.

In the meantime, Shishani is developing an exhibition focused on Chechnya in dialogue with another country—one she believes will surprise many. The project is centered on shared humanity and moments of joy that emerge in the midst of hardship. Collaborating with the partner team has been a rewarding process; together, they have uncovered cultural, geographic, and historical parallels that have deepened the project’s meaning.

“We all feel like ‘cultural detectives’, piecing together the truth from afar, relying on WhatsApp groups and pop culture moments.”

Shishani is also in the early stages of curating an art exhibition exploring the relationship between a prominent Emirati artist and emerging artists whose work was influenced by them, putting their paintings in dialogue with each other and exploring the Student-Master relationship.

*Portrait of a Young Emirati (Fatema)*, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 70 cm. Photo Courtesy: Anita Shishani.

Recent exhibitions that Shishani has curated include Bygones (New York University Abu Dhabi Project Space, 2025), the virtual shows Mehkari (2021), showcasing the works of Chechen women artists from around the world and Levitating in the Salon (2021), exhibiting the works of four leading Emirati women artists, and You Feel? (La Dolce Vita Art Center, Al Ain, 2016). Shishani has co-curated Smol (Dubai, 2022) as part of The Assembly program at Jameel Arts Centre, and Go Back to Move Forward (NYU Abu Dhabi, 2019), which showed works from the private collection of Dr. Zaki Nusseibah, Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE. With Dirwaza Curatorial Lab, Shishani has co-curated While the Coffee Grounds Settle: Stories from Women in the UAE (Fathom Gallery, Washington D.C., 2022), In Process | In Progress (421, Abu Dhabi, 2022), Zemanna (Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, 2022), Evaporating Suns (KBH.G, Basel, 2023), How is nature constant when the sun never rests (Abu Dhabi Art, 2023) and A Return To the Ground (Tokyo, 2023). Shishani also co-hosts a podcast called Khosh Bosh which features interviews with UAE-based creatives. Last but not least, Shishani was selected for the Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artists Fellowship in 2023 as well as the Jameel Youth Assembly programme in 2022.

Exhibition history

Curatorial Experience (Curated or Co-curated the following shows)

“Bygones" | Abu Dhabi, UAE | January 2025

New York University Abu Dhabi Art Gallery Project Space

Artists: Anastasia A, Alla Abdunabi, Hala El Abora, Aya Afaneh, Houssam Ballan, Bady Dalloul, Zaina El-Said, Syed Hussain, Diana Ishaqat, Pouran Jinchi, Anuar Khalifi, Yoonsik Chico Park, Anita Shishani and Ansadat Zumsoy

“A Return to the Ground" | Tokyo, Japan | December 2024

Presented by the UAE embassy in Japan

Artists: Tarek Al-Ghoussein, Sarah Al Saman, Zuhoor Al Sayegh, Fatema Al Fardan, Adele Bea Cipste, Vikram Divecha, Reem Falaknaz, Talin Hazbar, Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim and Zara Mahmood

“How is nature constant when the sun never rests" | Abu Dhabi, UAE | November 2023

Commissioned by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for Abu Dhabi Art

Artist: Maitha Al Omaira

"Evaporating Suns" | Basel, Switzerland | May - July 2023

Presented by the KBH.G Foundation

Artists: Farah Al Qasimi, Mashael Alsaie, Alaa Edris, Bu Yousef, Abdullah AlOthman, Moza Al Matrooshi, Maitha Abdalla, Saif Mhaisen, Fatima Uzdenova, Asma Belhamar, Mays Albaik, Fatema Al Fardan, and Zuhoor Al Sayegh

"While the Coffee Grounds Settle" | Washington, D.C., USA | September 2022

Presented by the UAE embassy in DC

Artists: Aisha Juma, Aliyah Alawadhi, Areej Kaoud, ARUUA, Ayesha Hadhir, Azza Al Qubaisi, Bénédicte Gimonnet, Dima Abou Zannad, Fatema Al Fardan, Fatima Uzdenova, Fatma Lootah, Ghada Al Sayegh, Hala Al-Ani, Hala El Abora, Khawla Almarzooqi, Maitha Hamdan, Malda Smadi, Nahla Tabbaa, Dr. Najat Makki, Noura Al Neyadi, Rand Abdul Jabbar, Sara Ahli, Shaikha Al Ketbi, Shamma Al Amri, Taqwa Alnaqbi and Zainab Imad Eddin

"Zemanna" | Abu Dhabi, UAE | January - June 2023

Manarat Al Saadiyat

"In Process: In Progress" | Abu Dhabi, UAE | May - August 2022

Presented at Warehouse421 in collaboration with the NYUAD MFA Program

“Smol” Jameel Arts Centre | May 2021 - May 2022

"Levitating in the Salon" | MIA Virtual Museum | January 2021

"Mehkari" | MIA Virtual Museum | November 2020

"Go Back To Move Forward"| Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. | December 2019

Co-curated under the mentorship of Professor Salwa Mikdadi, from H.E. Zaki Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State’s private art collection, at the NYUAD Art Gallery Project Space

"You Feel?" | Al Ain, U.A.E. | January 2017

Connect with Anita on:

Instagram: @anita.curator

Sherry Wu (Yongyi)

Emerging Artist Co-Editor, MADE IN BED

Anita Shishani

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