‘Working Utopia: A Chronicle in Portraits’ shines spotlight on unsung heroes

To mark its 17th anniversary, FN Designs presents “Working Utopia: A Chronicle in Portraits,” a photography exhibition by Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum celebrating the individuals who have contributed to and helped shape Alserkal Avenue’s creative community. The exhibition, which opened on June 2, 2026 at FN Designs in Alserkal Avenue, brings together a series of portraits documenting the people whose work, relationships, and shared experiences continue to influence the UAE’s evolving cultural landscape.

“Photographing people is easy. Creating portraits with meaning behind them is the challenging part. Every session began with a conversation. Those moments allowed the photographs to become more than just images and helped capture the stories, relationships, and experiences that connect this creative community,” said Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, Founder of FN Designs.

Developed through personal conversations and shared experiences, the project explores the people behind the art scene through photography. Rather than serving as simple representations of individuals, the portraits form a visual chronicle of a community built on creativity, dialogue, and a shared sense of purpose. While each image tells its own story, together they create a collective portrait of the people driving artistic and cultural progress in the UAE.

“Working Utopia is ultimately about people. It is a celebration of the relationships, memories, and collective efforts that have contributed to the growth of our creative community. My hope is that visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the individuals behind the cultural landscape we see today,” added Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum.

Having been part of Alserkal Avenue’s creative ecosystem since 2009, FN Designs has witnessed the district’s transformation into one of the UAE’s most recognised creative districts. Through this exhibition, the studio reflects on that journey while recognising the individuals whose contributions continue to shape the future of art, creativity, and cultural dialogue in the UAE.

As FN Designs celebrates its 17th anniversary, Working Utopia serves as both a reflection on the community’s evolution and a tribute to the people whose stories, connections, and creative contributions continue to enrich the UAE’s cultural landscape.

Founded in 2009, FN Designs is a multidisciplinary art and design studio based in Dubai. Located in Alserkal Avenue, the studio has built a design centric creative community through collaborative projects, events, photography, publications, visual design, and artistic initiatives. Through its work, FN Designs continues to support creative expression and cultural dialogue within the UAE’s evolving creative landscape.

Alserkal Avenue is a vibrant community of contemporary art galleries, visual and performing arts organisations, designers, and artisanal spaces. The Avenue is an essential platform for the UAE’s emerging artists and cultural practitioners, creative entrepreneurs, and homegrown initiatives.