DIVERSE GALLERY SECTIONS HIGHLIGHT GLOBAL NARRATIVES

This year’s fair was thoughtfully organized into four primary sections—Contemporary, Modern, Bawwaba, and Digital—each curated by leading voices in the international art scene.

• Contemporary showcased 70 exhibitors spanning five continents, offering fresh perspectives and innovative practices, particularly from artists working in South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Over 30 galleries made their Art Dubai debut.

• Modern, curated by Magalí Arriola and Dr. Nada Shabout, explored significant 20th-century art histories from West Asia and North Africa, and for the first time, included Latin American artists such as Darío Pérez Flores, further expanding the fair’s geographic lens.

• Bawwaba, meaning “gateway” in Arabic, curated by Mirjam Varadinis of Kunsthaus Zürich, focused on themes of displacement, climate crisis, and coexistence, with all works either created in the last year or specifically commissioned for the fair.

^{Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture visits Art Dubai 2025}

• Digital, in its fourth edition and curated by Gonzalo Herrero Delicado, examined the emotional and political consequences of advanced technologies through AI-driven works, VR experiences, and virtual environments. The theme, After the Technological Sublime, prompted reflections on how we relate to technology in an era of ecological and social upheaval.

^{Digital section}

INNOVATION IN COMMISSIONS AND PERFORMATIVE ART

Art Dubai continued to lead in commissioning original artworks and performances. Among this year’s standouts were:

• A co-commissioned series with Alserkal Avenue featuring sculptural performances by Mexico-based artist Hector Zamora.

• A major digital installation by Mohammed Kazem, Directions (Merging), transforming global GPS coordinates into animated loops, supported by sponsor Julius Baer.

• Experiential and kinetic installations by Breakfast, Ouchhh Studio, and Ania Soliman, pushing boundaries of sensory engagement and audience interaction.

^{Mohammed Kazem’s work at Art Dubai 2025}

SCHOLARSHIP, TALKS AND FUTURE LEADERSHIP

The fair’s robust educational programming included the Global Art Forum, led by Shumon Basar and curated by Y7 under the title The New New Normal. The forum featured top thinkers, artists, and futurists, including Hans Ulrich Obrist and Rem Koolhaas, exploring the increasingly unpredictable rhythms of modern life.

In its second year, the Digital Summit, held in partnership with Dubai Culture, focused on philosophical and artistic responses to our rapidly digitizing world.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT AND THE DUBAI COLLECTION: “COMMON GROUNDS”

A highlight of Art Dubai 2025 was the unveiling of Common Grounds, a new exhibition from the Dubai Collection, the city’s institutional collection launched in 2021. Curated by three Zayed University students—Shamsa Al Qubaisi, Maryam Al Zaabi, and Sara Al Sulaimani—under the mentorship of Dr.Nada Shabout and Magalí Arriola, the show brought together works from 1949 to 2024 that speak to shared human experiences across cultures.

The exhibition exemplified the Collection’s dual mission as both a cultural archive and a platform for learning. “This collaboration demonstrates what’s possible when students are empowered with resources and mentorship,” said Muna Faisal Al Gurg, Chair of the Collection’s Curatorial Committee. The initiative also reflects Dubai’s larger strategy to support future cultural leaders through educational integration and professional development.

^{Shamsa Al Qubaisi, Maryam Al Zaabi, and Sara Al Sulaimani}

Art Dubai 2025 also spotlighted the increasing leadership roles of women across the region’s cultural landscape. The fair’s leadership team includes Alexie Glass-Kantor and Dunja Gottweis alongside Executive Director Benedetta Ghione. Women continue to helm key institutions like Art Jameel (Antonia Carver) and Alserkal Avenue (Vilma Jurkute), shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for the arts in the region.

^{From left to right: Alexie Glass-Kantor, executive director, Curatorial, Art Dubai Group; Dunja Gottweis, director of Art Dubai Fair; Benedetta Ghione, executive director, Art Dubai}

DUBAI’S ROLE IN A CHANGING WORLD

As Art Dubai celebrates its 20th anniversary, the fair stands not only as a marketplace but as a global forum for dialogue, experimentation, and inclusion. By championing artists from lesser-represented geographies, embracing digital frontiers, and empowering the next generation, Art Dubai affirms its position as a vital cultural player—both regionally and globally.

With its continued investment in art, education, and innovation, Dubai is not just hosting a fair; it is actively defining the future of contemporary art.