Art Dubai Opens with Fewer Galleries, Strong Sales Amid Regional Crisis
The 20th edition of Art Dubai opened at Madinat Jumeirah with 50 largely regional galleries, down from 120 originally expected, after being delayed from April due to geopolitical tensions. The fair featured a refund model where exhibitors pay only if they sell, and free entry for the first time. Despite economic shock from the conflict, the mood was upbeat with strong sales: Zawyeh Gallery nearly sold out works by Nabil Anani ($12,000–$360,000), and Taymour Grahne sold out Roudhah Al Mazrouei's booth ($2,500–$14,000) to buyers from UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, US, Canada, and Lebanon. Lebanese and international galleries participated in solidarity. Public programming included Alserkal Avenue's 'Moving' film program, Barjeel Art Foundation's 'Pulse', Sharjah Art Foundation's 'Against Stillness', and Conversations with Artists co-programmed with Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Executive director Benedetta Ghione noted the global art market is recalibrating. Art Dubai runs through May 17.
Key facts
- Art Dubai opened with 50 galleries, 60% fewer than the planned 120.
- Fair was delayed from April due to US-Iran ceasefire on April 8.
- Exhibitors pay booth fee only if they sell; fair partly refunded non-participants.
- Free entry for all visitors for the first time.
- Zawyeh Gallery nearly sold out Nabil Anani's works ($12,000–$360,000).
- Taymour Grahne sold out Roudhah Al Mazrouei's booth ($2,500–$14,000).
- Buyers from UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, US, Canada, and Lebanon.
- Public programming included Alserkal Avenue, Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah Art Foundation, and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Entities
Artists
- Dia Azzawi
- Nabil Nahas
- Anachar Basbous
- Samir Sayegh
- Abulrahman Katanani
- Dima Srouji
- Safeya Sharif
- Alyazia Al Nahyan
- Nabil Anani
- Roudhah Al Mazrouei
- Abeer Sultan
- Huda Lutfi
- Samira Badran
- Mostafa Al Hallaj
- Khalid Mezaina
- Moza Al Matrooshi
- Wafa Al Falahi
- Khalid Al Banna
- Hashel Al Lamki
- Ahmed bin Shabib
- Rashid bin Shabib
- Louay Kayali
- Leila Nseir
- Gazbia Sirry
- Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim
- Afra Al Dhaheri
- Larissa Sansour
- Mahmoud Said
- Etel Adnan
- Marwan Kassab Bachi
- Samia Halaby
- Faisal Samra
- Bady Dalloul
- Mohammed Kazem
Institutions
- Art Dubai
- Meem Gallery
- Saleh Barakat Gallery
- Galerie Atiss Dakar
- P420
- Ab-Anbar
- Zawyeh Gallery
- Taymour Grahne Projects
- Alserkal Avenue
- Barjeel Art Foundation
- Sharjah Art Foundation
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- Iris Art Projects
- Efie Gallery
- The Third Line
- Lawrie Shabibi
- Mylen Investments
- Frieze Abu Dhabi
- Artnet News
- Art Dubai Group
- Madinat Jumeirah
- Flint Culture
- Gallery One
- Iris Projects
- DXB Store
- Dubai Collection
- Alserkal
- Venice Architecture Biennale
Locations
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Madinat Jumeirah
- Al Sufouh road
- Lebanon
- Beirut
- Palestine
- Bethlehem
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Bologna
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom
- Abu Dhabi
- New York
- Venice
- Gulf
- Middle East
- France
- United States
- Canada
- Saudi Arabia
- Iran
- Jumeirah Mina Al Salam
- Ramallah