The Third Line's 20th Anniversary Exhibition Reflects on Dubai's Art Evolution
The Third Line gallery in Dubai is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an exhibition titled The Only Way Out Is Through: The Twentieth Line, curated by Shumon Basar. This showcase, open until 28 December at Alserkal Avenue, features 74 pieces from 31 artists, such as Hassan Hajjaj, Lamya Gargash, and Shirin Aliabadi. Established in 2005 by Sunny Rahbar, Claudia Cellini, and Omar Ghobash, The Third Line was born in the context of post-9/11 Islamophobia, evolving from the arts publication Bidoun. The gallery has significantly influenced Dubai's art landscape by participating in international fairs and promoting Middle Eastern artists. The exhibition also presents a timeline from 2005 to 2025, addressing global events and regional disparities while prompting discussions on future representation.
Key facts
- The Third Line's 20th anniversary exhibition runs until 28 December at Alserkal Avenue in Dubai.
- Curated by Shumon Basar, the show features 74 works by all 31 artists on the gallery's roster.
- The gallery was founded in 2005 by Sunny Rahbar, Claudia Cellini, and Omar Ghobash in a warehouse space.
- Bidoun, an arts publication co-founded by Rahbar and Lisa Farjam in 2004, preceded the gallery's establishment.
- The Third Line participated in international art fairs like the Armory Show, Art Basel, and Frieze.
- The exhibition includes a floor timeline covering global events from 2005 to 2025, including the Gaza conflict and Covid-19.
- Artist nationalities in the show include about a quarter Iranian and nearly 20% American.
- Works by artists such as Shirin Aliabadi, Huda Lutfi, and Farah Al Qasimi address regional sociopolitical themes.
Entities
Artists
- Shumon Basar
- Sunny Rahbar
- Claudia Cellini
- Omar Ghobash
- Lisa Farjam
- Hassan Hajjaj
- Lamya Gargash
- Abbas Akhavan
- Shirin Aliabadi
- Huda Lutfi
- Hayv Kahraman
- Farah Al Qasimi
- Bady Dalloul
- yasiin bey
- Mos Def
- Anuar Khalifi
- Tarek Al-Ghoussein
- Farhad Moshiri
- Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian
- Douglas Coupland
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Rana Begum
- Momtaza Mehri
- Shams-e Tabrizi
Institutions
- The Third Line
- Bidoun
- Alserkal Avenue
- Armory Show
- Art Basel
- Frieze
- Jameel Art Centre
- Guardian
- Canvas
- International Court of Justice
Locations
- Dubai
- UAE
- Bur Dubai
- Alserkal Avenue
- Iran
- Egypt
- South Asia
- South East Asia
- Africa
- Gaza Strip
- Paris
- Beirut
- South Africa
- Israel
- Abu Dhabi
- Karama
- Middle East
- North Africa
- Global South