Latest news with #ArtDubai
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Art Basel arrives in Qatar
After being announced as the first country in three decades to construct a permanent national pavilion at the Giardini gardens at the prestigious Venice Biennale, Qatar will also now host the newest art fair in the region. Following the launch of Art Basel Paris in 2022, the MCH Group – owner of Art Basel – has announced the inaugural edition of Art Basel in Qatar. To take place in February 2026 in Doha – at M7 creative hub and Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb, close to cultural landmarks including National Museum of Qatar – the event has been announced in partnership with leading Qatari organisations such as Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+. In a statement, Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums said, 'As part of His Highness the Amir's National Vision 2030, Qatar has been transforming itself into a knowledge-based economy, with culture and the creative industries helping to lead the way. We have built a thriving ecosystem of culture and sports, harnessing the capacity of both to break down barriers, create shared experiences, increase understanding and drive positive change. We have opened the National Museum of Qatar and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and this year we will launch the Lusail Museum and DADU: Children's Museum of Qatar.' A post shared by UBS Art (@ubsglobalart) While the region already boasts of other art fairs such as Art Dubai, Abu Dhabi Art, the entry of a prestigious property like Art Basel – which is one of the oldest art fairs on the circuit, founded by three Swiss art dealers in 1970 – backing the fair, strengthens the perception of the Middle East as a potentially important market for art. Noah Horowitz, Chief Executive Officer of Art Basel, says, 'Growing the global art market, supporting artists and galleries and developing new collecting audiences is core to Art Basel's mission. The art scene across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region has undergone exponential growth in recent decades, with the establishment of world-class institutions, the launch of leading cultural events and the growth of a vibrant community of artists, galleries and professionals.'
Emirates 24/7
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates 24/7
Latifa bint Mohammed opens Art Dubai 2025, highlights vital role of cultural collaboration, youth empowerment
H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, inaugurated the 2025 edition of Art Dubai, the Middle East's leading international art fair. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. In strategic partnership with Dubai Culture, this year's edition features more than 120 galleries from 65 cities across five continents, underscoring Dubai's position as a global centre for culture and creativity. During her visit, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed toured key exhibitions across the fair's diverse sections, including Contemporary, Modern, Digital, and Bawwaba, and engaged with local and international artists and gallerists. She was accompanied by Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development and Chair of Zayed University Board of Trustees; Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC); and Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture. H.H. Sheikha Latifa highlighted how Art Dubai has evolved into a global platform for artistic exchange, further cementing Dubai's role as a vibrant centre for creative dialogue and emerging talent. She said: 'Art Dubai continues to be a celebration of creativity and innovation, and a reflection of the cultural diversity that defines our city. Each edition introduces new voices and narratives that connect us, reminding us of the power of art to bring people and ideas together. As we shape our cultural future, platforms like Art Dubai ensure that creativity remains at the heart of Dubai's development and global presence.' On the sidelines of the event, H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed visited the newly unveiled Common Grounds exhibition by Dubai Collection, curated by Zayed University students Shamsa Al Qubaisi, Maryam Al Zaabi, and Sara Al Sulaimani under the guidance of Dr. Nada Shabout and Magalí Arriola. Part of a first-of-its-kind academic collaboration, the exhibition features selected works from the Dubai Collection spanning 1949 to 2024, offering curatorial insight rooted; in educational exploration and cultural research. Reflecting Dubai Collection's long-term commitment to research, education, and community engagement, Common Grounds highlights the emirate's commitment to empowering youth and fostering a sense of cultural responsibility among future generations. As part of efforts to expand this collaboration, H.H. and Shamma Al Mazrui witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Dubai Culture and Zayed University. The agreement was signed by Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, and Professor Michael Allen, Acting Vice President of Zayed University. The agreement establishes a strategic framework for future cultural cooperation, providing students with opportunities for hands-on experience in research, curatorial practice, and creative development through Dubai Culture's extensive ecosystem and initiatives such as the Dubai Collection. Commenting on the MoU, H.H. said: 'This partnership reflects our conviction that education and culture are deeply interconnected. By empowering students to contribute meaningfully to our cultural landscape, we are not only nurturing emerging talent but also fostering a strong sense of ownership, purpose, and pride among the next generation. Together, we are shaping a cultural future driven by inspired and engaged youth.' H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed concluded her visit by reaffirming Dubai Culture's commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships and nurturing a sustainable creative ecosystem, one that empowers every artist and creative talent to thrive. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Barbed wire to blue indigo, Indian art shines at Art Dubai
Gallery espace showed Manjunath Kamath's wor among others With M F Husain becoming the first Indian artist to have broken the Rs 100 crore barrier in March, it was fitting that his works created a buzz in the only other place he called home. At this year's Art Dubai , DAG curated a solo booth of his works that showcased not just his trademark horses but also his versatility. While Husain shone brightly in the Modern masters section, Indian contemporary art , too, proved that it could draw collectors, not just in India but across the world. Priyanka Raja, founder of Experimenter which started in Kolkata and has since expanded to Mumbai, said the gallery had its best opening day in Art Dubai's almost two-decade history, selling over 80 per cent of their presentation in the first hours to institutions and private collections in the US, Europe and West Asia. Experimenter was one of 11 Indian galleries which had booths at the fair that has set itself apart from other global offerings with its mix of grit and glamour. Where else will you see Palestinian artists, whose works tell stories of displacement and grief? Or a cutting-edge digital section that shows you new ways in which art and technology can intersect? 'At most fairs, you see the same works and the same people but not here,' points out Art Dubai's executive director Benedetta Ghione. Though its many skyscrapers have their windows tightly shut and almost no one is drying their chaddi-banians on the balcony, Dubai still feels like home to visiting Indians like me. Familiar faces, a familiar khichdi of accents and flavours, and even in the curated environs of an art fair, themes that resonate. At the booth of Gallery Espace , artist Ishita Chakraborty uses barbed wire as a metaphor for the struggles and challenges of migrants while veteran and eternally playful Manjunath Kamath creates a fictional language while referencing temple art, Yakshagana plays and Indian epics. Right opposite was Blueprint12 which dedicated an entire booth to the works of textile artist Kaimurai whose indigo hues have a deeply meditative quality. 'Though I live in Bengaluru, I have spent many years in Chennai and Carnatic music has a deep influence on my art,' says Abhishek Ganesh who goes by the name Kaimurai. Though Blueprint12, a gallery from Delhi, was a first-time participant at the fair, it almost sold out Kaimurai's works. Within hours of the VIP preview opening, several works had been snapped up at Shrine Empire's booth as well. And these were not the usual 'pretty pictures' that sell well with buyers who want artworks that go with the décor rather than raise uncomfortable questions. One of the highlights of the booth was work by the self-taught artist duo of Baaran and Moonis Ijlal who captured the stories of women who lived through the partition of 1947. Shrine Empire, co-founded by Shefali Somani and Anahita Taneja, like many of the Indian galleries showed not just Indian artists but from across South Asia. And this wasn't their first time. Long before demand for Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi art took off, the gallery has been championing artists like Anoli Perera and Tayeba Begum Lipi. Mumbai gallery Jhaveri Contemporary's booth showed how diverse and rich South Asian art is. There was Ali Kazim from Lahore whose brushwork reminds of the finesse of miniature paintings, Sri Lankan Lionel Wendt's photographs, Marseille-based Vasantha Yogananthan's Ramayana-inspired works and much more. And the exchange went both ways with global galleries showing Indian artists. One of them was Galleria Continua from Paris, which has had a long relationship with Indian artists such as Subodh and Shilpa Gupta as well as British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor, and shows them at many international fairs. But there was more outside the fair too. Imagine getting to plonk on a humble charpai in hipsterized Alserkal Avenue, one of Dubai's buzzy art districts where the trendy come to down matcha smoothies and avocado toast. Except that this was no ordinary cot but a vital piece of Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi's installation supported by an Indian gallery and the Dubai-based Alserkal Arts Foundation. Nada Raza, director of Alserkal Arts Foundation who put together the show, says the exhibition came together through sheer serendipity. Artist Imran Qureshi and Alserkal director Nada Raza 'Nature Morte gallery had been waiting for the opportunity to support a major international exhibition for Imran. Imran happened to be in Dubai more often because of his cultural Golden Visa. So, it's an Indo-Pak collaboration amongst old friends who've had the opportunity to find a generous home at Alserkal Avenue. It's a real Dubai story,' she says. The layered charpai work resonated not only with the artsy crowd but also with the workers installing the show, most of whom were South Asian migrants. 'When we were done installing, the crew spontaneously gathered round and asked for a photo with Imran bhai. I then found two of the installers looking carefully at the photographs together and having a pretty intense discussion," says Raza, adding that she also found people just sitting on stools that are part of the installation to grab a moment of respite. Walk a few metres into Ishara Art Foundation's space and there was Mumbai artist Shilpa Gupta with her first solo in West Asia, reminding you of the arbitrariness of border walls with these evocative lines: 'I tried very hard to cut the sky in half, one half for my lover and the other half for me, but the sky kept moving and clouds from his territory came into mine…' Gupta's work might be spare relying largely on lines and maps to question how nation-states exert control. In a darkened room, microphones recite the lines of silenced and dissident poets. 'Hum Dekhenge' by Faiz Ahmed Faiz floats through the air, an anthem of protest that reminds you that tyranny can be fought in many ways.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
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. More from WWD Sarah Jessica Parker, Walton Goggins, Julia Fox and More Celebrate the Cult100 With Valentino at the Guggenheim Brunello Cucinelli Celebrates Miami Grand Prix Weekend at The Surf Club Miami Prada Celebrates New Men's Store With Tracee Ellis Ross, Hunter Schafer, Benedict Cumberbatch and More 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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The National
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Weekly UAE museum and gallery guide: Masterpieces at Christie's and a Turner-nominated work in Sharjah
Art Dubai may have concluded, but the local scene is maintaining the momentum. A Christie's exhibition of modern and contemporary Middle Eastern masterpieces and a solo exhibition by Egyptian artist Huda Lutfi are among the highlights in the city. There is also lots to see in other emirates, including a solo show by Saudi artist Abdullah Al Othman and a presentation at the Sharjah Biennial that is in the running for the Turner Prize. The Christie's auction of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art has returned with an all-star selection. The sale is a potent representation of the diverse practices shaping the region's contemporary art. There are works that represent Nadia Saikali's gestural abstraction, the kaleidoscopic dynamism of Samia Halaby, the rippling portraits of Marwan, the calligraphic experimentations of Mohamed Melehi, Malika Agueznay and Dia Azzawi, as well as paintings by Helen Khal that show her figurative beginnings, and the ethereal canvases she is particularly known for. Other notable figures featured in the auction include Inji Efflatoun, Kamal Boullata, Etel Adnan, Aref El Rayess, Laila Shawa, Paul Guiragossian, Nabil Anani, Fateh Moudarres and Yvette Achkar. Monday to Friday, 10am-7pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-5pm; until May 8, Christie's Dubai Lutfi is known for her cross-disciplinary practice that draws from historical research as well as feminist critique. Her fourth solo exhibition at The Third Line brings together works from three recent series. These include When Dreams Call for Silence (2019), which presents human figures in surreal domestic scenes. In Our Black Thread (2020–2021), Lutfi explores how creating is an act of healing. The series began as Lutfi casually wove threads from used teabags and car filters. The minimalist compositions, with their restrained monochromatic palette, 'amplify the introspective meditation that fuelled their making', the exhibition guide states, 'but also evoke the historical association of craftsmanship as feminine labour and its complex relationship to art'. This approach is sustained in her continuing series Healing Devices, which feature organic and geometric paper cutouts set against gold and silver backdrops. The series draws from the illustrations in The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices, a 1206 work by the Arab polymath Ismail Al-Jazari. Monday to Sunday, 11am-7pm; until May 27, The Third Line, Dubai This presentation from the 2025 Sharjah Biennial has been nominated for the Turner Prize. The work was created by Korean-Canadian artist Zadie Xa, in collaboration with Spanish artist Benito Mayor Vallejo. It features several disparate elements, which take cues from Korean shamanic traditions. These include paintings and a chandelier-like piece comprising more than 1,000 brass bells arranged in the shape of a conch shell. Saturday to Thursday, 9am-9pm; Friday 4pm-9pm; until June 15; Al Hamriyah Studios, Sharjah Al Othman's work is greatly informed by the visual language of the region's cities. The Saudi artist is known to wander around Riyadh, collecting materials and images from its architecture and linguistic history that he then incorporates into his work. Structural Syntax is his first solo show in the UAE. The exhibition is designed to steep visitors in Al Othman's unique perception of urban landscapes and prompt questions about the way we navigate our surroundings. Works include Anticipation, which makes use of neon lights, a material with which Al Othman has become synonymous. His Untitled (Coca Cola) playfully appropriates the brand in an installation featuring a sign in Arabic, industrial materials, metal and paint. Monday to Friday, 11am-7pm; until June 27; Iris Projects, Abu Dhabi
