Art Week Dubai is here—and this year is bigger and better than ever.
Now in its 9th edition, the fair kicked off over the weekend with SIKKA Art Fair in the heart of Old Dubai. Yesterday, Alserkal Avenue galleries opened their doors after-hours for its hotly-anticipated Galleries Night. And the newly opened Jameel Arts Centre presented its inaugural exhibition, Crude.
Tomorrow, the week’s flagship event, Art Dubai, takes over Madinat Jumeirah for its 13th edition, with its most extensive programme to date. With more than 500 participating artists and 90 galleries from 40 different countries, it can get a little overwhelming, so we’re to help you navigate through it.
Bawwaba
Meaning ‘gateway’ in Arabic, Bawwba is Art Dubai’s newest, and one of its most promising, sections. The new addition will feature 10 solo exhibitions by 12 artists from the Middle East, Africa, Central and South Asia and Latin America. Curated by French-Cameroonian curator Elise Antagana, the inaugural edition is said to address themes of migration, socioeconomic structures, and identity.
UAE Now
Also a new addition, UAE Now is breaking new ground at Art Dubai. The section explores the Gulf nation’s independent art collectives and communities, highlighting their work and their contributions to the UAE’s ever-growing creative landscape. Bait 15, Daftar Asfar, and MILLE favourite, Banat Collective are amongst the participating platforms.
Global Art Forum
Since its start in 2007, the Global Art Forum has been an integral aspect of Art Dubai, and for this year’s edition, education is at the forefront. Bringing together a diverse roster of renowned artists, curators, critics and entrepreneurs, this year’s theme, School is a Factory, confronts the crucial challenges threatening contemporary education systems.
Art Dubai After Dark
For the first time, renowned UK-based radio station and music platform NTS Radio partnered up with Art Dubai for this year’s after-dark program. And in-line with this Art Week’s overarching theme, the event will feature music exclusively from the Global South. DJ Alexander Nut will headline the music sessions, along with Zakia, Nabihah Iqgal.
