Art Basel Qatar Opens Amid Criticism of Gulf Autocracies and Cultural Heritage Damage in Iran

In February 2026, Art Basel launched a new fair in Doha, Qatar, establishing the Persian Gulf nation as an emerging art market destination. Concurrently, the art world faces criticism regarding human rights issues in Gulf states, highlighted by queer Qatari activist Nasser Mohamed, who fled the country to avoid imprisonment and argues that international art institutions' engagement with authoritarian regimes compromises LGBTQ+ freedoms. Meanwhile, military actions by the United States and Israel reportedly damaged historic palaces in Isfahan, Iran, including the 17th-century Chehel Sotoun Palace, raising concerns about the destruction of cultural heritage sites. Other notable developments include: Damien Davis examining the power dynamics of art awards; a profile of Baghdad-born artist Ali Eyal, featured in the Whitney Biennial, who addresses trauma from the Iraq war; an exhibition by Amoako Boafo titled 'I Bring Home With Me'; and a participatory art project in Kingsbury, Texas, facilitated by Habitable Spaces. Additionally, over 200 artists and cultural groups, including Brian Eno, urged the British Museum to cease altering wall texts related to Palestine after pressure from pro-Israel groups. The Affordable Art Fair New York Spring 2026 is scheduled for March 18–22, showcasing works from 90 galleries. The content also covers art book recommendations for March, a 'Beer With a Painter' interview with Hilary Harkness, and obituaries for artists Pedro Friedeberg, Thaddeus Mosley, and Liliana Angulo Cortés.