Art Dubai 2025 opens its doors

Dubai: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Art Dubai opened its 2025 edition —running from 18 to 20 April at Madinat Jumeirah—with a dynamic programme featuring over 120 gallery presentations from 65 cities across five continents. The fair also includes performances, site-specific installations, and newly commissioned works by leading international names and some of the region’s most exciting creative voices.

 Since its founding in 2007, Art Dubai has established itself as the Middle East’s leading international art fair and a commercial platform championing artists from lesser-represented geographies. It continues to play a vital role in the growth of Dubai’s cultural scene and creative economy.

This year’s presentations span four main sections—Contemporary, Modern, Bawwaba, and Digital—and welcome over 30 first-time participants. “One thing worth noting is how much the quality in the gallery halls has improved,” comments Pablo del Val, Art Dubai’s Artistic Director, in an exclusive interview with The Kurator. “I walked through the space early in the morning, and the installations were pristine—truly impressive. The fair really reflects the pulse of our times. Artists have this unique ability to address complex, even political topics with nuance and sensitivity, sparking important conversations without being confrontational.”

Art Dubai continues its strong commitment to commissioning new works by both local and international artists. Highlights this year include a new series of performances and sculptural installations by Mexico-based artist Héctor Zamora, inaugurating a co-commissioning partnership between Art Dubai and Alserkal Avenue; a major digital commission by Mohammed Kazem, presented by Julius Baer; and experiential installations by leading international artists including Breakfast, Ouchhh Studio, and Ania Soliman.

“Each year, Dubai commissions artists—mainly from the Global South and the region—to create site-specific works for the fair,” says del Val. “This year, Lebanese artist Anna Solomon has transformed Beirut’s intricate electrical grid into large-scale blue-and-white canvases. Though rooted in high-tech schematics, her work reads like poetic nature drawings, exploring the relationship between technology and the natural world.”

“Another highlight includes monumental, stage-like fabric panels featuring AI-generated paintings,” he continues. “Meanwhile, Mohammed Kazem’s immersive digital installation—presented with Julius Baer—layers shifting numerical data over imagery of Dubai’s shoreline, expressing the passage of time in a way that feels both chaotic and meticulously controlled.”

The Global Art Forum, commissioned by Shumon Basar and curated by Y7, returns with the timely theme The New New Normal. “It explores how, in today’s hyper-connected world, what feels new one moment becomes outdated the next,” explains del Val. “We wake up, check our devices, and are instantly flooded with novelties—underscoring how quickly time moves and how technology accelerates everything.” He adds, “This theme resonates strongly in Art Dubai’s Digital section, where artists delve into journeys through the metaverse, reflections on the nature of time, and the rapidly evolving role of AI as a creative tool.”

The Dubai Collection introduces a new curatorial direction this year with Common Grounds, an exhibition that invites students from Zayed University to develop curatorial proposals using the Collection as a starting point. Two student-led exhibitions were selected. “This is a fresh and dynamic addition to the Collection,” says del Val. “One project takes a more traditional storytelling approach, while the other offers a youth-focused, workshop-style experience. It’s something new, relevant, and much needed.”

Looking ahead, del Val shares his aspirations: “For this edition, I hope to see Dubai’s collector base grow, and for both professionals and casual visitors to have eye-opening experiences. The magic of the fair lies in entering a space where your mind and eyes are fully engaged—where imagination can roam freely.”

Other Highlights from Art Dubai 2025:

The A.R.M. Holding Children’s Programme celebrates its fifth edition with a unique collaboration between internationally renowned artist Peju Alatise and Emirati artist-educator Alia Hussain Lootah. Together, they guide children through a creative exploration of water and local ecosystems, encouraging reflection on the UAE’s landscapes and our essential connection to this vital resource.

Piaget returns to Art Dubai with a special commission by emerging Kuwaiti artist Alymamah Rashed, featured in a new exhibition titled Play of Shapes. The dreamlike work—infused with gold leaf, deep blues, and celestial forms—celebrates the Maison’s artistry and transforms time, light, and movement into an immersive, poetic experience.

Clinique La Prairie’s Longevity Lounge introduces a new dimension to the fair, offering visitors an immersive space for reflection and rejuvenation. The Lounge features a curated programme of wellbeing and longevity talks with global thought leaders, holistic experts, and participating artists. These sessions explore the evolving intersections of art, science, and the future of health and wellbeing.