When NOMAD Abu Dhabi opens its doors in Abu Dhabi from November 19–22, 2025, it will not simply be launching another edition—it will be inaugurating a new chapter for the fair and the region. For its Middle East debut, NOMAD takes over the historic Terminal 1 of Zayed International Airport, an architectural jewel of Gulf modernism designed in 1982 by Paul Andreu. With its tent-like mosaic roof, sweeping glass façade, and circular lounges, the building once symbolized the UAE’s early embrace of innovation and global connectivity. Now retired from airport service, it becomes a cultural stage once again—reanimated through NOMAD’s site-specific design and curatorial rigor.
Arco Di Luce by Francesco Messina, Courtesy of Soleille Gallery.
This bold choice of venue underscores the fair’s vision. As NOMAD co-founder Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte notes, each edition is meant to be an “immersive, site-responsive conversation shaped by context and cultural intent,” where luxury emerges not from spectacle, but “from spatial rhythm, material integrity, and the constellation of people and ideas gathered.”
With over 65 exhibitions to his name across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Bellavance-Lecompte’s approach bridges architecture, art, and design—making Terminal 1’s renewed life a fitting setting for NOMAD’s arrival.
A Moment for Abu Dhabi—and a Strategic New Frontier
Courtesy of NOMAD.
The fair comes at a time when Abu Dhabi is cementing its place as a global cultural capital. Anchored by the Saadiyat Cultural District—home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi—the city has become a nexus of heritage, innovation, and cross-cultural exchange. The timing also aligns with Abu Dhabi Art, drawing collectors, curators, and institutions from around the world. Positioned just an hour from Dubai’s thriving design ecosystem, NOMAD Abu Dhabi offers galleries a strategic entry point into one of the world’s fastest-growing art economies.
“Abu Dhabi combines deep respect for heritage with bold, progressive cultural ambitions,” the organizers note—echoing NOMAD’s core identity as a fair that pairs collectible design with an understanding of place.
Highlights: Must-See Exhibitions and Presentations
Photo by N. Berezhnoy. Courtesy of NOMAD.
Photo by N. Berezhnoy. Courtesy of NOMAD.
This first Abu Dhabi edition will feature an impressive roster of international and regional galleries, along with an ambitious program of special projects. Among the many standouts:
Nilufar (Milan)
The storied gallery brings a powerful mix of vintage and contemporary design, including works by Gio Ponti, Osanna Visconti, and StudioDanielK—encapsulating its curatorial dialogue between eras.
Gallery FUMI (London)
Presenting bold new works by Jeremy Anderson, Kustaa Saksi, and Voukenas Petrides, the gallery showcases material-driven practices across ceramics, textiles, and bronze.
Courtesy of Galerie BSL.
Galerie BSL (Paris)
Known for its sculptural, experimental lens on design, BSL debuts works including Gandhara Carapace by Nada Debs and Studio Lél, as well as exquisite pieces by Pia Maria Raeder.
Don Tanani (Cairo)
A rising force in contemporary Egyptian design, Don Tanani introduces new works crafted from camel bone, oak, and naturally oxidized materials—rooted in Egyptian craft heritage yet unmistakably progressive.
Special Projects That Push Boundaries
Photo by N. Berezhnoy. Courtesy of NOMAD.
Photo by N. Berezhnoy. Courtesy of NOMAD.
Beyond the galleries, NOMAD presents a constellation of special projects that explore craftsmanship, technology, memory, and cultural exchange:
Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council x Ricardo Rendón
The Tilad Collection merges Emirati safeefah and talli with the vibrant materiality of Mexico, creating a poignant narrative about shared craft legacies.
Fluid Echoes at Milan Design Week 2025, Palazzo Litta, courtesy of Super Loop.
A.A. Murakami & TRAME – A Thousand Layers of Stomach
A mesmerizing interplay of generative code and textile craft, where unique knitted patterns are produced in real time from sustainably sourced cotton.
Bottega Veneta – Destinations
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of its iconic Intrecciato weave, the house invites eight MENA designers to reinterpret the motif through local materials and historic techniques.
Draco 2025 version by Thomas Vlach & Sarah Soleimani Qashqai, photo by Hassan Kamali, courtesy of Parsa Gallery.
DEPARTURES – Powered by Etihad Airways
Located directly in the former Etihad Hub, this large-scale platform features artists such as Ahmad Angawi, Zeinab Al Hashemi, and Orkhan Mammadov—whose AI-driven commission is inspired by Etihad’s 2026 destinations.
Perrier-Jouët x Formafantasma – Cohabitare
A poetic ecological installation crafted from terracotta and indigenous flora, originally presented in Champagne, reimagined here for the Gulf.
Shifting Terrains – Off-Site at Jumeirah Saadiyat Island
An exploration of the UAE’s evolving creative landscape with works by Datecrete, KAMEH, Mary-Lynn Massoud, and others.
A New Cultural Landmark in the Making
Courtesy of NOMAD.
With its fusion of regional heritage, Gulf modernism, contemporary design, and global artistic dialogue, NOMAD Abu Dhabi represents a transformative moment—not only for the fair but for the region. As the organizers emphasize, the 2025 edition “marks a bold new chapter… a celebration of design at its most collectible, and a thoughtful contribution to the evolving cultural dialogue between the Middle East and the Western world.”
What to Know About NOMAD Abu Dhabi
Courtesy of NOMAD.
Dates: November 19–22, 2025
Location: Terminal 1, Zayed International Airport, Ad Diyafah Street, Abu Dhabi
Hours: Daily 1 PM–9 PM
Tickets & Info: nomad-circle.com / info@nomad-circle.com
Auréas Tables by Colo Studio, courtesy of Galerie Melissa Paul.
