Art Basel Qatar Appoints Wael Shawky as Artistic Director for 2026 Fair with Innovative Format

Art Basel Qatar has named Egyptian-born artist Wael Shawky as artistic director for its first edition, scheduled from February 5 to 7, 2026, in Doha. The fair will abandon traditional booth layouts in favor of an open format where galleries present solo shows aligned with a thematic framework. Under the theme "Becoming," the event will examine shifting socioeconomic systems, particularly in the Gulf region, blending oral traditions with digital networks and reimagining historic trade routes. Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel's chief artistic officer and global director of fairs, emphasized that this model pushes boundaries by centering artistic vision while maintaining market relevance, noting Doha's supportive environment for cultural experimentation. Shawky, a multidisciplinary artist known for film and performance, recently represented Egypt at the 60th Venice Biennale with his acclaimed video Drama 1882 (2024). He expressed privilege in collaborating on this platform, which aims to highlight artistic practices from the MENA region and beyond through research and narrative. The fair will feature approximately 50 galleries, with expectations of growth, and will be hosted at M7, the Doha Design District, and public sites in Msheireb, with preview days on February 3–4, 2026. Shawky and de Bellis will oversee curatorial vision and gallery selection with input from a committee of regional and international representatives.