As the UAE gears up for cooler weather, the cultural calendar is poised to be buzzing. Kicking things off from Nov. 20 to 24 is Abu Dhabi Art. This year, Manarat Al Saadiyat will host the most ambitious edition yet, with 102 galleries from 31 countries. That’s a jump from 92 galleries last year, showing just how much the local art scene is evolving. This year promises an incredible lineup, bringing together a diverse mix of talent from around the world.
With Dyala Nusseibeh at the helm, Abu Dhabi Art is going through an exciting transformation that mirrors the shifts happening in the regional and local art scenes. There’s a fresh focus on modern and contemporary artists from the Middle East, whose work is gaining recognition as a crucial part of the region’s story.
The exhibition is divided into seven sections, with three making their debut this year, each thoughtfully curated to bring new perspectives. “Something Bold, Something New,” curated by Myrna Ayad, spotlights influential artists who’ve shaped regional art. This section celebrates trailblazers such as Emily Fanous Azar, Nabila Hilmi, and Inji Aflatoun, whose works have left a lasting mark on the Middle Eastern art scene, offering thoughtful insights into social and political landscapes.
This year, Abu Dhabi Art has some exciting new features, starting with the Collectors Salon—a curated space where galleries can showcase a range of artifacts, historical pieces, manuscripts, and diverse artworks. It’s like a time capsule of cultural heritage, inviting visitors to explore the craftsmanship that defines the region’s artistic legacy. Another highlight, “Silk Road: Drifting Identities,” dives into the connections between Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the cultures along the historic Silk Road, showing how these ties still resonate today.
At the core of this year’s event is a design by pioneering Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem, capturing the intricate connections that bind the region through shared geographies and trade histories. Raed Yassin’s installation, City Mirage, adds another layer with its 130 vintage Beirut shop sign letters—a haunting reminder of Beirut’s complex past.
The five-day fair also dives into cross-cultural connections between the Arab world and other regions. The Gateway exhibition, for example, brings in curators to explore the fascinating, often-overlooked cultural exchange between the Arab world and South America, uncovering rich opportunities for discovery. There’s also a spotlight on Arab artists’ historical presence in Paris, mixing contemporary works with treasures like a seventh-century Quran leaf and Ottoman ceremonial saddlery to take visitors on a journey through centuries of art.
Community engagement is front and center this year, too. The House of Artisans is leading an exhibition called “Crafts as a Language,” showing how traditional crafts use natural resources to create functional, beautiful art. Plus, partnerships with local institutions like the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, 81 Designs, Kalimat Foundation, and universities like Zayed University and NYU Abu Dhabi add even more depth.
For the tech-curious, the Art and Tech program is back, inviting students from eight UAE universities to collaborate with artists like Afra Al Suwaidi and Marina Fedorova. This year’s projects mix art and tech in innovative ways, featuring interactive installations and augmented reality pieces that add a fresh, immersive layer to the fair.
So whether you’re an art enthusiast or just looking for something inspiring, this year’s Abu Dhabi Art has something for everyone.
