March 16–19, 2016
Madinat Jumeirah
Dubai
UAE
Reaffirming its reputation as the most global of art fairs, Art Dubai 2016 features the fair’s largest and most internationally diverse lineup of galleries to date, with 94 galleries from 40 countries presenting rare works by modern masters from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa through to the world’s most notable contemporary artists of today.
Firmly established as the meeting point for the arts scenes of the Middle East, Africa, Central and South Asia, Art Dubai represents the world’s largest number of artists from these regions in one place, at one time.
Reflecting the rapid growth of the local and regional market, Art Dubai also includes more galleries from the UAE than ever before. Known for its diverse, innovative programming, the fair acts as a catalyst and focal point, locally and regionally.
Contemporary
Art Dubai Contemporary 2016 is the fair’s largest and most diverse programme to date. The fair continues to grow year by year: 2016 includes an exciting line-up of galleries from Europe and North America returning or exhibiting in the region for the first time, including Blain | Southern (London), Marianne Boesky Gallery (New York), Galerie Krinzinger (Vienna), Galeria Marta Cervera (Madrid), carlier | gebauer (Berlin), Galleria Franco Noero (Turin), Carroll / Fletcher (London) and Victoria Miro (London).
Art Dubai 2016 sees increased participation from India’s leading galleries, while new galleries from Turkey, Iran and Europe join the roster; Georgia, Ghana, Lithuania, Oman, Palestine, the Philippines and Sri Lanka are each represented for the first time at the fair.
This year’s special project space features the Atassi Foundation, with a specially commissioned tribute to Syrian artists curated by renowned film director Hala Al Abdalla.
Full list of galleries selected for Art Dubai Contemporary 2016 here.
Press gallery here.
Modern
Now in its third year, Art Dubai Modern is the only curated programme of its kind in the world, featuring works by masters from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. The 2016 programme was heavily oversubscribed—indicating an increased growth of the market. Art Dubai Modern is advised by a committee of eminent art historians including Savita Apte, Catherine David, Kristine Khouri, Nada Shabout and Bisi Silva.
Audiences will discover rare works from the 1930s onwards by renowned masters—including Yahia Turki (1903–69, Istanbul), presented by Elmarsa (Tunis, Dubai); Pakistani artists Abdur Rahman Chughtai (1897–1975, Lahore) and Syed Sadequain (1923–87, Amroha), presented by Grosvenor Gallery (London); and Ali Akbar Sadeghi (b. 1937, Iran), whose paintings and rarely seen animation films will be presented by Shirin Gallery (Tehran).
The strong role played by women artists is highlighted by, among others, Galerie Janine Rubeiz (Beirut), with Huguette Caland (b. 1931, Beirut) and Laure Ghorayeb (b. 1931, Deir al-Qamar), and Lawrie Shabibi (Dubai), and exhibiting Palestine-born Iranian painter Maliheh Afnan (b. 1935, Haifa).
Full list of galleries selected for Art Dubai Modern here.
Press gallery here.
Marker
In 2016, Art Dubai’s curated gallery programme focuses on the Philippines—the first such showcase at any major international fair, and the first such exhibition in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Curated by Ringo Bunoan, the full programme will be announced in the coming weeks. Read more here.
About Art Dubai
Art Dubai is held in partnership with The Abraaj Group and is sponsored by Julius Baer, Emaar and Piaget. Madinat Jumeirah is home to the event. Mashreq Private Banking is the exclusive partner of Art Dubai Modern.
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is a strategic partner of Art Dubai and supports the fair’s year-round education programme.
Besides the gallery halls, Art Dubai’s extensive not-for-profit programme includes Art Dubai Projects; an exhibition of works by winners of The Abraaj Group Art Prize; a range of educational programmes including the Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program and the community school Campus Art Dubai; and the critically acclaimed Global Art Forum.
Read the full announcement here.