Experience Art in Amman: A Guide to the City’s Vibrant Galleries
A flourishing art scene might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Amman, Jordan’s capital that stretches out over seven hills and beyond. However, in recent years, a flurry of traditional and contemporary galleries have sprung up across the metropolis, attracting a wonderful and perhaps surprising array of local and international artists.
Art lovers in Amman can get their fix by tracking down works by emerging local and regional artists, classic Arabic art, visual and auditory installations, workshop studios, and exhibitions dedicated to prints and paper. The collective body of work on display throughout Amman deals with various topics, from tough political issues in the Middle East (such as the status of land in the Palestinian Territories) to everyday routine matters and universal themes. This reveals a fresh way to understand the rich backgrounds of the people who live and create their work here.
Darat Al Funun
The highlights of the Amman art scene would not be complete without Darat Al Funun, one of the city’s oldest galleries. It is spread over six historical buildings on a hill overlooking downtown. Located in the trendy Jebel Lweibdeh area, Darat Al Funun has supported artists from the Arab world since 1988. Merging visual arts with new media, performances, and film, the gallery is at the forefront of cultural life in Amman and regularly hosts events and concerts. Moreover, it provides an in-house residency for rising stars of the local and international scene, as well as The Lab, an experimental space for innovative projects and workshops.
Dar Al-Anda
Start your exploration of Amman’s galleries at the hillside Dar Al-Anda. Meaning ‘home of the giving’ in Arabic, the gallery boasts one of the city’s most extensive private collections. Stepping through the high-arched doorway into the gallery grounds feels like entering a sanctuary to take temporary refuge from the bustle of the city outside. Emerging artists from Japan, Norway, and Spain are among some of the countries represented here—a testament to the gallery’s international appeal. Furthermore, the collection features works by iconic names in the modern Arab art world such as Dia Al-Azzawi, an Iraqi master artist known for blending modern techniques with ancient traditions. The panoramic views of the city are an added bonus to visiting this Jebel Lweibdeh favorite.
Wadi Finan Art Gallery
A relative newcomer to the Amman art scene, Wadi Finan Art Gallery has firmly established itself as a contemporary cultural heavyweight. It features works by Egyptian, Syrian, Palestinian, and Jordanian artists. Conveniently located near the famous Rainbow St in Jebel Amman, the gallery offers two locations: a permanent collection hall on Yousef Asfour St and an exhibition hall just across the road in a refurbished historical residence. Wadi Finan showcases multimedia works in addition to paintings. Its unique draw in the Amman art landscape lies in its focus on special projects and community collaborations, such as art therapy workshops for refugees.
Nabad Art Gallery
Located mere steps from Wadi Finan in Jebel Amman, a historically elite neighborhood where majestic villas line the quiet streets, Nabad Art Gallery is a beautiful contemporary art space featuring a cozy, orange-tree-laden courtyard and a multiroom exhibition area housed in a particularly grand 1930s residence. This gallery is worth exploring for its annual ‘Trendsetting’ exhibition series that focuses on the art of design, showcasing conceptual pieces created specifically for the show by local artists, interior designers, and architects.
Jacaranda Images
Jacaranda Images is the only gallery in Amman dedicated solely to all things paper. This two-room exhibition space and art shop in Jebel Amman features a collection of contemporary Indigenous Australian art, providing a unique opportunity to compare two different desert cultures. Visitors describe Jacaranda Images as a ‘funky’ gallery with an impressive compilation of print, photography, drawings, sketches, etchings, and screenprints. Come here to explore a different, and sometimes provocative, way to think about the world.
Orfali Art Center
Founded by the late Iraqi artist Inaam Orfali in 1993, Orfali has grown into a leading gallery in Amman, displaying works by select Jordanian, Iraqi, and other Arab artists. Tucked away in a quiet corner of the busy, commercial Um Uthaina neighborhood, Orfali has transformed into more than an exhibition space. It now includes a creation space where people can indulge their creativity. The center offers an impressive lineup of classes for adults and children ranging from drawing and painting to ceramics and sculpture making, all taught by local artists. Additionally, there’s an annual week-long summer camp for children that hosts trips to local museums and nearby farms.
