Abu Dhabi Art Fair Unites 92 International Galleries at Manarat Al Saadiyat
Today in Abu Dhabi, the momentous 15th edition of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair, organized by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, is unveiled at Manarat Al Saadiyat in the Saadiyat Cultural District, on view through November 26. With sponsorship by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan—Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council—and event partners including Christie’s and Sotheby’s, the experiential presentation unites 390 artists from 90 galleries throughout the world, debuting more than 1600 dynamic works. The multi-faceted event brings singular exhibitions, commissions, performances, conversations, and workshops together, spotlighting the flourishing creative scene in the UAE.
Courtesy of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair.
Abu Dhabi Art Doubles its Galleries and Unveils the Dynamic UAE Art Market
“This year’s Abu Dhabi Art represents a significant moment in the fair’s history due to its sheer size, with double the number of galleries participating since its early days,” explained Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art. We are delighted to be able to attract such a diverse range of artists and galleries from around the world, in part thanks to the important contribution and research of our global gallery representatives.
“The presence of so many new galleries at the fair signifies how dynamic the local and regional art market has become over the last 15 years. By working closely with curators, gallery representatives, galleries and artists, we are also ensuring that our gallery presentations offer unparalleled access to art histories and research, ensuring visitors have the opportunity to better understand these wide-ranging global positions.”
Globally Renowned Curators and Gallery Representatives Unite for a Spirited Show
A vibrant array of guest curators were selected by Abu Dhabi Art this year to offer an in-depth look inside the global art landscape in a range of programs: Nadine Maalouf for Community Projects, Nicolas Bourriaud for The Frozen Forest, Morad Montazami for Beyond Emerging Artists, and Dr. Venetia Porter for Gateway. Gallery Representatives chosen to introduce Focus sections include Riccarda Mandrini with Sustainability, Maneli Keykavoussi with Latin America, Essia Hamdi with Women Artists, and Chris Wan Feng with Hong Kong. 55 returning galleries are interwoven with 37 new ones, including those from Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, and Georgia represented for the first time at the fair. International galleries participating in the Focus, Modern & Contemporary, Special Projects, Emerge, and In & Around sectors include Addis Fine Art from the United Kingdom, Galleria Karla Osorio from Brazil, Leeway Gallery from South Korea, Rossi & Rossi from Hong Kong, and Why Not Gallery from Georgia.
Abu Dhabi Art Fair, Gateway Exhibition, Curator Dr. Venetia Porter, and Hashel Al Lamki, courtesy of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair.
Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim Designs a Mesmeric Marketing Campaign, Making Way for Dynamic Presentations
Abu Dhabi Art Fair’s 2023 Visual Campaign Artist, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, invokes the organic magnificence of his birthplace Khorfakkan as part of a brightly-colored and mesmeric marketing presentation. The pioneering artist’s site-specific work, Al Ain Oasis (2023), was specially commissioned by the fair, and is a surreal ode to the Al Ain oasis made of found objects, recycled cardboard, and paper-mâché. Artist Nujoom Alghanem was also commissioned to create the ongoing clay masterpiece Artifacts of the Current Moments (2020-).
The Beyond Emerging Artists category highlights the extraordinary creativity and insight of Almaha Jaralla with Crude Memory (2023), zeroing in on the complex history of Al Ruwais, Abu Dhabi in photographs and paintings; Latifa Saeed with Dust Devils (2023), a multi-sensory spectacle of technology and sculpture; and Samo Shalaby with What Lies Beneath (2023), a visionary fusion of historical art movements through a theatrical lens.
A Culinary Art Program and Community Project Accompanies Student Programs and Film Screenings
An immersive Culinary Art program, curated by Radicants, explores the inspired work of Michelin Star Chef Ivan Brehm in an exclusive dining experience, while a collaborative community project, spearheaded by Nadine Maalouf, links organizations such as Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) for a vivid installation in support of sustainability.
Student programs in art, design, technology, and architecture offer mentorship and opportunities for creative development, culminating in solo and group installations on display at the fair. Alongside these activations, a daily lineup of talks unfold, such as Artists Beyond Borders: A Cross-Cultural Perspective, with moderator and curator Dexter Wimberly alongside speaker and artist Anoushka Mirchandani on November 23. Film screenings, including Gahwa Beats: Tradition Meets Tempo by Bait Al Gahwa, joins tours and workshops for all ages, energizing a boundless, collective imagination.
Courtesy of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair.
Beyond Emerging Artists, Curator MORAD MONTAZAMI, Almaha Jaralla, Samo Shalaby, and Latifa Saeed, courtesy of Abu Dhabi Art Fair.
