As the cultural calendar heats up across the Gulf, this month offers an exceptional lineup of showcases exploring identity, tradition, abstraction, and contemporary expression. From the vibrant Islamic art to powerful solo shows, regional galleries present diverse voices and bold perspectives. As usual, here is our list of the top 10 remarkable exhibitions in May 2025.
Sotheby’s x Lawrie Shabibi: Form and Rhythm
At Sotheby’s Dubai, Lawrie Shabibi presents Form and Rhythm, a group exhibition running through 7 May 2025. Part of a two-year collaboration, the show brings together artists across generations working in contemporary Islamic art. Through geometric abstraction and intricate craftsmanship, the works reinterpret Islamic visual heritage with a fresh, modern lens.
Islamic Arts Biennale 2025
Held at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah), the second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale will run through 25 May 2025. Titled And All That Is In Between, a reference to a Quranic verse, the event features more than 500 artefacts and works by 30 regional and international artists. It invites visitors to reflect on the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions of faith through diverse artistic expressions.
Mythological Love x MATAB
XVA Gallery is hosting two compelling exhibitions until 22 May 2025. Mythological Love features Iraqi photographer and artist Halim Al Karim’s meditative paintings exploring ancient love and the human spirit. Alongside it, artist Al Braithwaite’s MATAB (Material Abstraction) presents potent abstract pieces that reflect his distinctive approach to contemporary art.
I Am Soil. My Tears Are Water by María Magdalena Campos-Pons
In her Middle East debut, Cuban artist María Magdalena Campos-Pons presents an evocative solo exhibition at Efiɛ Gallery, which will remain open until 25 May 2025. Curated by Faridah Folawiyo, the show features vivid paintings, sculptures, and an immersive installation. It examines diaspora and interconnection through the natural motifs of Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Andakulova Gallery x Legends Art Club: Dreams of Spring
Andakulova Gallery and Legends Art Club present Dreams of Spring, an exhibition featuring three acclaimed artists: Timur D’Vatz, Timur Akhmedov, and Alfiz Sabirov. The show weaves together mythology, symbolism, and human emotion into richly narrative visual works that bridge the past and present. Dreams of Spring is being held at the Al Habtoor Palace Hotel and will end on 25 May 2025.
Inloco Gallery: Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees
Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees is Inloco Gallery’s project that blends public art intervention, live performance, and a solo exhibition by famous Tunisian calligraphy and light artist Karim Jabbari. Running through 30 May 2025, the show displays immersive calligraphy-based artworks, light installations, and photography, exploring lost traditions, urban nostalgia, and the transformative power of Arabic script in contemporary Dubai.
The Eternal Letters at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
Until 25 May 2025, the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization is holding The Eternal Letters, an exhibition that showcases 81 rare Qur’an manuscripts from the private collection of Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention. Spanning 1,300 years, the show traces the evolution of Arabic calligraphy and Islamic bookmaking traditions in a contemplative historical journey.
Lines of Flight by Shilpa Gupta
Organised by Ishara Art Foundation, Lines of Flight is the first solo exhibition in West Asia by prominent Indian artist Shilpa Gupta. Spanning two decades of work, the show includes sculpture, sound, video, and site-specific installations that critically examine borders, movement, surveillance, and resilience. It will be open to the public until 31 May 2025.
Winter by Ayman Yossri Daydban
Winter, Saudi artist Ayman Yossri Daydban’s solo exhibition at ATHR Gallery, marks a powerful return to his Ihramat series. Revisiting the spiritual and cultural symbolism of the Ihram, a white cloth worn by Muslim pilgrims, Daydban engages with themes of identity, solitude, and ecological awareness through a minimalist yet deeply resonant visual language. The exhibition will welcome all visitors until 26 May 2025.
Nafs by Lulua Alyahya
Also on view at ATHR Gallery is Nafs, a solo exhibition by Saudi artist Lulua Alyahya. Her playful yet thought-provoking paintings distort familiar cultural imagery and open space for introspection and dialogue between personal identity and collective experience. The exhibition will end on 26 May 2025.
