What can art enthusiasts expect in the Gulf region this spring? There will be art fairs, biennales, and international exhibitions that offer a unique perspective on contemporary art and help us learn and understand more about modern attitudes toward art in the UAE. Today, we offer you to learn more about some of these events.
One of the most remarkable events in Dubai’s cultural calendar is Art Dubai, also known as Art Week. Over the years, it has transformed from an event in Dubai to one of the most important cultural gatherings in the Gulf region. It not only showcases artworks but also fosters larger projects and meaningful connections, contributing to the region’s dynamic cultural landscape.
The Art Dubai VIP team curates a special programme, offering guided tours of the fair and the city’s cultural landmarks. They provide personalised itinerary recommendations and exclusive access to cultural experiences across the region.
Art Dubai is one of the best ways to see the most significant art pieces and meet up with galleries from around the world. “The biggest responsibility that an art fair has is towards its own community,” Pablo del Valhe, Art Director of the fair, says. “The better galleries you bring and with more exciting works, the better acquisitions and the better collections that the city will have.”
The best time to explore the region’s cultural scene is Spring 2025. It marks a major moment in the art calendar with the 16th edition of the Sharjah Biennial, a platform for discussion and sharing opinions in the global art world. Under the leadership of Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, the 2025 Biennial will centre around the theme To Carry.
The theme is disclosed in the statement of the Biennial curators: “What does it entail to carry a home, ancestors, and political formations with you? This [question] coalesces with artistic methods grounded in stories of change and movement, intergenerational kinship, lament and ritual, […] knowledge of land and sea terrains… Attesting to the responsibility as both guest and host, we conjure possibilities of acting in the world and being together through tenderness, failure and rage as gestures of care, resource exchange and alliance building.”
Curated by five experts — Alia Swastika, Amal Khalaf, Megan Tamati-Quennell, Natasha Ginwala, and Zeynep Öz — the event will feature over 300 installations and curatorial projects, including 80 newly commissioned works showcased across venues throughout the emirate the Sharjah. Among the highlights is a commission by New Zealand artist Kate Newby, who will present a solo exhibition with Art: Concept in the Bawwaba section at Art Dubai 2025.
During this time, global exhibitions will also be open. The Louvre Abu Dhabi continues to celebrate the world’s art heritage with Kings and Queens of Africa: Forms and Figures of Power. On view until 25 May 2025, this exhibition examines the cultural significance of African kings and queens, whose influence on modern African art remains profound.
In Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, one of the city’s most important cultural districts, visitors can immerse themselves in a creative space, with numerous galleries just a short walk from each other. The Jameel Arts Centre presents narratives from South and West Asia and North Africa, fostering meaningful discussions and cultural exchange.
Meanwhile, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Arts Biennale will take place alongside Art Dubai. Organised by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, this event will run from January to May at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz Airport. With its title, And All That Is In-Between, taken from Qaran, the biennale explores the personal and emotional ways in which faith is experienced and understood.
In addition, you might be interested in reading our article about four stunning places in Dubai where one can enjoy digital art.
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