From Dubai to Doha, the Gulf’s art scene this September is alive with diverse shows, ranging from rare Qur’anic manuscripts to contemporary explorations of digital culture, photography, and abstraction. Here is our list of the top 10 notable exhibitions on view in September 2025.
1. The Eternal Letters Online Exhibition
Initially hosted by the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, this virtual exhibition examines the artistic, spiritual, and historical dimensions of Qur’anic manuscript traditions. On view until 4 September 2025, it showcases 81 manuscripts from the distinguished private collection of H.E. Abdul Rahman Al Owais, spanning eras from the early Abbasid period through the Ottoman and Safavid empires.
2. History Encoded by Project22
This exhibition by Project22 collective charts the development of digital art, from algorithmic experiments to contemporary generative, immersive, and blockchain-based practices. Held at kanvas Dubai until 22 September 2025, the show features captivating works by 11 pioneering digital artists, including Julian Hespenheide, Casey Reas, Hackatao, and OBVIOUS, among others.
3. Upside Down by Morteza Khazaie
Until 15 September 2025, Leila Heller Gallery is hosting Upside Down, a solo exhibition by Persian artist Morteza Khazaie that features a collection of sculptural works made of wood. Inspired by trees that bend but do not break under storms, these art pieces serve as metaphors for resilience and adaptability in the face of life’s pressures.
4. The Peasant, the Scholar and the Engineer by Asunción Molinos Gordo
Meanwhile, Jameel Arts Centre is hosting The Peasant, the Scholar and the Engineer, a solo exhibition by Spanish researcher and visual artist Asunción Molinos Gordo, who focuses on the perspectives and knowledge of farming communities. Open until 28 September 2025, the show spans fifteen years of her practice, from explorations of agriculture and food systems in Egypt and the Arab world to reflections on Arab and Muslim heritage in Spain.
5. Summer Group Exhibition
Fann À Porter is holding the Summer Group Exhibition, which brings together eight acclaimed artists, including Othman Moussa, Rabee Kiwan, and Farid Abu Shakra. The exhibition showcases a collection of diverse art pieces that engage with themes of identity, transformation, introspection, and peace. The show will be open to the public until 23 September 2025.
6. Refined Compositions by Ruba Salameh
Set to open on 13 September 2025 at Zawyeh Gallery, this exhibition by Palestinian artist Ruba Salameh reflects on the enduring resonance of national symbols, particularly the Palestinian flag. Rather than reimagining the flag itself, her works trace the emotional afterlife of its colours and their role in shaping collective identity. The show will continue until 9 November 2025.
7. New Western Views (Preview) by Marwan Bassiouni
Also opening on 18 September 2025, Lawrie Shabibi presents a solo exhibition by Swiss-Egyptian-American photographer Marwan Bassiouni. His series of photographs, taken between 2018 and 2022 inside mosques across the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK, captures the lived Muslim experience in the West. The exhibition will remain open until 5 November 2025.
8. Caravan of Colours Through Time
Launching on 18 September 2025 at Aisha Alabbar Gallery, this retrospective celebrates more than four decades of work by esteemed Emirati modernist Mona Al Khaja. From her early studies in Cairo to her later explorations of abstraction and symbolism, the exhibition offers a rich overview of her artistic journey and will remain open until 5 November 2025.
9. Sotheby’s Dubai: Whispers of the Past
In collaboration with Sotheby’s Middle East, Aisha Alabbar Gallery will launch the Whispers of the Past exhibition on 11 September 2025. Featuring five leading contemporary artists, it engages with memory, identity, and cultural heritage as living forces shaping the present. The show, on view at Sotheby’s Dubai, will end on 14 November 2025.
10. Honour the Past, To Celebrate the Future: Qatar’s Educational Vision
At Liwan Design Studios and Labs in Msheireb Downtown Doha, this permanent exhibition traces the evolution of women’s education in Qatar. Organised with Qatar Museums and VCUarts Qatar, it highlights the role of education as a cornerstone of national identity and a driver of innovation.
In addition, you might be interested in visiting No Trespassing, a group exhibition at Ishara Art Foundation, and Samur by Zheng Bo.
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