Abu Dhabi Art 2025: Where Global Dialogue Meets Emirati Identity
- Gen de Art
- 10 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Abu Dhabi Art returns for its 17th edition, from 19–23 November 2025, solidifying its reputation as a platform where the local and the global coexist in vibrant dialogue. Over the years, the fair has evolved from a regional showcase into a global hub, attracting over 140 galleries from 37 countries, representing artists and perspectives from every corner of the world.
(l) Théodore Diouf, Untitled, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 149 x 149 cm, Courtesy of Morel Donou and OH GALLERY, Special Projects Sector
(r) Joana Choumali, The Season of Being Undefined, 2025, Mixed media, Digital photograph printed on cotton canvas, manual collage, embroidery, painting, sheer fabric and muslin, metallic, lurex cotton and wool threads, 80 x 80 cm, Courtesy of the artist and GALERIE FARAH FAKHRI, Modern & Contemporary Sector
Under the stewardship of Dyala Nusseibeh, Abu Dhabi Art balances international reach with deep respect for local culture. “Our goal is not to dilute Emirati and Gulf perspectives, but rather to position these within a wider global dialogue,” Nusseibeh explains. For her, the fair’s internationalism is never expansion for its own sake—it is a carefully curated engagement that amplifies local voices while inviting them into conversation with the global art community.
This year, Emirati artist Shaikha Al Mazrou has been announced as the fair’s Campaign Artist, a recognition reflecting both the evolution of her acclaimed practice and her prominent role in shaping the UAE’s contemporary art landscape. Her selection highlights Abu Dhabi Art’s commitment to celebrating artists who define the cultural identity of the nation while resonating on a global stage.
Global Focus: Dialogue Across Continents
The fair’s Global Focus sectors—spanning Nigeria, the Gulf, and Türkiye—embody Nusseibeh’s vision of art as networked, dialogic, and inclusive. “When we select participating regions and galleries, we’re guided by the artistic resonances between them rather than geography alone,” she notes. “Inclusivity for us means going beyond representation toward meaningful engagement; providing platforms for new perspectives, nurturing curators from these regions, and creating moments of discovery for audiences who may be encountering these art scenes for the first time.”
In the Nigeria Spotlight, galleries such as SOTO, AMG, kó, O’DA, and 1897 Gallery present a dynamic array of contemporary experimentation rooted in local context. The Khaleeji Focus celebrates Gulf artists from pioneers like Hassan Sharif to emerging voices such as Alymamah Rashid, while the Modern Türkiye section offers visitors a rare encounter with Turkish modernists including Fahrelnissa Zeid, Burhan Doğançay, and Gülsün Karamustafa. Through these carefully curated sectors, the fair encourages visitors to consider art beyond hierarchical geographies, embracing a non-linear connectivity between cultures.
Nurturing Emerging Talent
Abu Dhabi Art continues to champion emerging voices through its Beyond Emerging Artists (BEA) 2025 program. This year, three Emirati artists—Alla Abdunabi, Salmah Al Mansoori, and Maktoum Al Maktoum—receive mentorship from internationally renowned artist Issam Kourbaj, creating commissions that situate their work within a broader global discourse while fostering the UAE’s next generation of creative leaders.
Art Fairs as Cultural Bridges
Having worked across institutions such as Saatchi Gallery and ArtInternational Istanbul, Nusseibeh reflects on the wider significance of art fairs: “Art fairs, when thoughtfully curated, are much more than marketplaces—they are cultural meeting points for communities. Engagement and connection don’t always happen automatically; intentional programming, educational outreach, and genuine collaboration between artists, curators, and collectors are important. However, when those elements align, art fairs become spaces of empathy and shared imagination.”
At Abu Dhabi Art, these principles are realized daily. Located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, and in a country that prizes cultural dialogue, the fair serves as both a civic and artistic project, fostering creativity, reflection, and connection across generations and geographies.
A Vision for Legacy
Looking ahead, Nusseibeh envisions Abu Dhabi Art as a catalyst for sustainable cultural growth. “I hope the legacy of our work on the fair … will be one of continuity and curiosity: building bridges across generations, supporting emerging curators and artists, and strengthening the fair’s position as a thought leader in the region’s cultural discourse,” she says. “Ultimately, our success will be measured not just by the artworks shown or the audiences reached, but by how meaningfully we’ve contributed to the UAE’s evolving identity as a nodal point for creativity, reflection, and cultural understanding.”
With over 140 galleries from 37 countries, and with the UAE’s finest voices represented by Campaign Artist Shaikha Al Mazrou, Abu Dhabi Art 2025 promises a transformative experience where global narratives meet Emirati identity, discovery intersects with dialogue, and creativity becomes a shared journey across continents.
With over 140 galleries from 37 countries, and with the UAE’s finest voices represented by Campaign Artist Shaikha Al Mazrou, Abu Dhabi Art 2025 promises a transformative experience where global narratives meet Emirati identity, discovery intersects with dialogue, and creativity becomes a shared journey across continents.
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Venue & Opening Hours
Location: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, UAEDates: 19–23 November 2025Opening Hours:
19–20 November (Preview Days): 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
21–23 November (Public Days): 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit to fully explore the Global Focus sectors, curated exhibitions, and the Beyond Emerging Artists commissions, and to experience the fair as a dynamic intersection of culture, creativity, and conversation.
