Art Oasis: How Dubai Is Redrawing the Global Cultural Map
DUBAI — April in Dubai has become the cornerstone of the Middle East's cultural calendar, transforming the city into a buzzing creative forum where art takes center stage. In a city once known primarily for its architectural ambitions, a new identity has taken shape as an epicenter of global contemporary art.
Last week saw the emirate host the 18th edition of Art Dubai, a key pillar in the region's cultural economy and the main commercial art fair in the Middle East.
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This year's program attracted 25,000 visitors to view works displayed by 120 participating galleries from 65 cities around the world.
'We're a fair that's so reflective of this global hub, where you feel changes more rapidly,' said Benedetta Ghione, executive director of Art Dubai. Reflecting Dubai's position as a gateway between East and West, Art Dubai has become particularly significant for showcasing artists from underrepresented regions. 'Our DNA is to bring to the fore geographies and artists that are maybe underrepresented, who haven't had a huge amount of exposure.'
That has proven to be successful. The exponential growth in the art world is also tied to Dubai's changing demographics and economic dynamism, said Ghione.
'As the city attracts higher-level individuals, a lot of those are collectors interested in arts and culture, and that shapes everything,' Ghione explained. 'We're seeing galleries with rising international profiles showing at the fair because it's a known fact that the Gulf is doing well.'
While other markets have suffered post COVID-19, Dubai's is strong. 'People moving into the city are buying more robustly at higher price points,' Ghione shared.
The Third Line Gallery, one of the Middle East's most influential, has been showing at Art Dubai since its inception, alongside taking their Middle Eastern artists to Art Basel and Frieze. Art Dubai this year was perhaps one of the most commercially consequential yet for the gallery, according to Claudia Cellini, The Third Line cofounder who has worked for more than two decades in the Middle East's art world. 'The fair was a big success for us. We sold most of our booth on the first night,' she said.
She also reflected on the fair's unique position in the market. 'Art Dubai beautifully retains a local identity, while presenting a premium global art fair offering. Their talks program is a real discursive focal point, alongside some breathtaking parties and events,' she added. 'Attendees leave feeling they have experienced something genuinely fresh and new during their time in Dubai.'
What sets Dubai apart, said Ghione, is its multifaceted approach. 'For example, at Art Dubai we've always been more than an art fair,' Ghione emphasized. 'By creating a platform that is simultaneously local and global, educational and commercial, Art Dubai has positioned itself as a unique cultural institution. We encourage visitors who are not necessarily collectors or buyers but just want to discover.'
One of those key pillars of discovery is Art Dubai's pioneering digital section, which has become a hallmark of the fair's forward-thinking approach. It is the only art fair in the world with a section dedicated to digital art.
'We started four years ago, and we feel that it's something that makes a lot of sense for Dubai as a city that wants to be forward,' explained Ghione.
She noted that what makes the digital art section particularly fascinating is its ability to track technological evolution. 'The first year the conversation was around NFTs. Last year focused on VR and immersive technologies. This year, there's a significant presence of AI and the questions that come with it.'
Ghione said digital represents artistic innovation, drawing on similar historical parallels. 'Digital is one of the tools of the future in terms of artistic production, a tool that can be added to an artist's toolbox. Just like when paint tubes were invented and artists could suddenly work outside, leading to entirely new art movements. Digital tools are creating similar transformative possibilities.'
She added that it requires a process of education for traditional collectors. 'They have natural questions like, 'How does this work?' and 'Do I really own it?''
Brooklyn-based kinetic artist Breakfast presented a solo exhibition at Art Dubai for the first time, which was packed with visitors. 'This is my first time at the fair, however I was very surprised to know how many collectors I have here.'
Luxury houses are eager to align with the fair's cultural cachet and collector base. Piaget returned as key partner for Art Dubai, with the brand presenting an exhibition, titled 'Play of Shapes,' featuring Piaget's archival creations that showcase its artistic timepieces, including a series of avant-garde trapeze-shaped watches called 'Sixtie' that pay homage to the flamboyant '60s.
'At Piaget, our artisans are artists — creators who express through bold design, exceptional craftsmanship, and emotion,' said Pétronille de Parseval, managing director of Piaget Middle East. 'Our participation at Art Dubai reflects a heritage deeply rooted in creativity and a longstanding bond with the art world.'
While Art Dubai brings global recognition and connects artists from the global south to international markets, on the other side of the city, Alserkal Avenue, an industrial district of converted warehouses, has fast become a vital cultural ecosystem nurturing the creative community.
What started as a project to convert a collection of warehouses owned by the Alserkal family into art galleries has become a vibrant art district that hosted some of the most talked about cultural events during their Alserkal Art Week, which ran just before Art Dubai. Now home to more than 17 galleries, Alserkal Avenue saw the opening of Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi's solo show, 'Vanishing Points,' curated by Nada Raza. Their foundation also commissioned new public art installations on the avenue and more than 15 galleries around the avenue to open new exhibitions during art week.
Basmah El Bittar, director of Alserkal Avenue, emphasized the community-driven nature of Alserkal Avenue. 'We don't call it real estate development. It's community development.'
This philosophy underpins everything about Alserkal Avenue, from how spaces are allocated to support for fledgling businesses. There is also an intense focus on local talent. 'We are all about supporting our local creative entrepreneurs,' she explained. This approach has created a space where creative founder-driven businesses want to be, from homegrown cafe concepts from the region's top chefs to independent fashion brands, fragrance concept stores and more.
At its core, Alserkal Avenue remains committed to contemporary art. As the Avenue prepares to expand in 2026, the original vision guides the project. 'We're building a destination where different interests are met, while keeping contemporary art at the core of everything we do,' said El Bittar.
Dubai's cultural ascension mirrors the region's transformation. 'The region has seen significant and consistent investment in cultural infrastructure,' Ghione explained. 'Dubai is dynamic, forward-thinking, and increasingly influential on the global stage, and the art world is mirroring that.'
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