Every year, Art Dubai emerges as the MENA region’s leading cultural event, drawing collectors, curators, and art lovers from across the globe. In 2025, the fair will take place from April 18 to 20 at Madinat Jumeirah, with VIP previews scheduled for April 16–17. This season promises a dynamic program featuring innovative art projects, landmark performances, and thought-provoking educational sessions.
Exclusively for DEL’ARTE Magazine, Elen Levitt — columnist, MENA art curator, and collector — has prepared a guide to the key sections and events of Art Dubai 2025.
© Photo: Elen Levitt
What to Look Forward to This Year
In 2025, Art Dubai once again serves as a crossroads between tradition and modernity. The program is curated by Pablo del Val, who has been the fair’s artistic director for a decade, fostering a dialogue between Eastern and Western art scenes. This year, the focus is on unexpected cultural intersections that will surprise visitors and offer them new perspectives.
Emergencia. Paula Caballero © Photo courtesy of Art Dubai Press Office
Getting to Know the Fair: Contemporary Section
This section traditionally brings together galleries from all over the world—from established art hubs to promising young spaces. In 2025, more than 20 galleries will debut at Art Dubai, making the Contemporary section especially exciting for those seeking fresh names and new artistic movements.
The exhibition will feature diverse forms of art, from painting and sculpture to installations and media art.
We recommend visiting the booths of these galleries:
Hall 1
- Albarrán Bourdais (Madrid/Menorca) — Booth C-10
- Thomas Brambilla (Bergamo) — Booth C-8
Hall 2
- Aicon (New York) — Booth E-5
- BARO (São Paulo / Palma de Mallorca / Abu Dhabi) — Booth F-3
- NIKA Project Space (Dubai/Paris) — Booth D-2
These booths will showcase key trends in contemporary art.
BARÓ. Art Dubai 2024 © Photo courtesy of Art Dubai Press Office
The Modern Section: A Focus on History and Heritage
This section highlights the work of modernist artists whose contributions have played a vital role in shaping the artistic landscape of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. In 2025, the section is curated by Magali Arriola and Nada Shabout. This year’s theme invites reflection on migration across West Asia, North Africa, and Latin America, as well as cultural exchange and its influence on the visual language and identity of artists.
Must-visit booths include:
- Mark Hachem Gallery (New York / Paris / Beirut) — Booth M-9, Hall 2
- Richard Saltoun (London / Rome / New York) — Booth D-7, Hall 2
- Vigo (London) — Booth M-4, Hall 2
These modernist collections reveal how global migration has influenced art.
New Ideas and Contemporary Challenges: Bawwaba — A Gateway to the Global South Art Scene
The Bawwaba section (Arabic for “gateway”) will feature the latest artworks created within the past year or specially commissioned for the fair.
The curator of the section, Myriam Varadinis, has formulated the theme for 2025: an artistic reimagining of new forms of coexistence on Earth amid political, social, and environmental upheavals. Here, artists from 10 countries will present solo exhibitions.
For example, Tomás Saraceno (Pinksummer Gallery, Genoa — W-6, Hall 1) will create an immersive installation of floating cloud sculptures as a continuation of his Cloud Cities concept. The artist explores the relationship between humans and nature, envisioning a utopian future where architecture, ecology, and social institutions intertwine.
In the same hall (Art: Concept Gallery, Paris — Booth W-5, Hall 1), visitors can see works by Kate Newby, who incorporates natural elements into her artistic language, encouraging the audience to reflect on the beauty of the everyday.
At another booth (Secci Gallery, Milan/Pietrasanta — W-8, Hall 1), a series of mosaics by Omar Mismar from the 2024 Venice Biennale will be on display. His works address themes of identity and historical memory.
Other must-visit galleries in this section:
- Gallery Artbeat (Tbilisi) — Booth W-10, Hall 1
- Aspan Gallery (Almaty) — Booth W-2, Hall 1
- Federica Schiavo Gallery (Rome) — Booth W-3, Hall 1
Art Dubai Digital: The Future of Tech-Driven Art
On your way to the Digital section at Lower Water Terrace, don’t miss Reconstructed Landscape — a project by Total Arts at the Courtyard, which transports visitors into an imaginary landscape assembled from natural and industrial fragments.
Reconstructed Landscape. Total Arts at the Courtyard © Photo courtesy of Art Dubai Press Office
This year, the Art Dubai Digital 2025 theme is “After the Technological Sublime,” exploring how art — through AI, VR, AR, and other technologies — responds to modern environmental, social, and political challenges. The section’s curator is Gonzalo Herrero Delicado.
Must-See Highlights
- MotherEarth by Ouchhh Studio — a sculpture visualizing climate change data.
- Oceans by Breakfast — a kinetic installation reflecting on energy consumption in megacities.
- Retreat by Jacopo Di Cera — a piece reminding us of the urgency of climate action through the melting of glaciers.
Oceans, Breakfast © Photo courtesy of Art Dubai Press Office
Featured International Artists
Among the international artists showcased in the section:
- Licia He (GAZELL.iO), known for algorithmic artworks.
- Sougwen Chung, exploring the dialogue between humans and machines.
- Six N Five (PiXel) with their digital project Plan X Gallery.
- Lu Yang, creating media works inspired by anime, video games, and science fiction.
Special Projects & Performances
The Art Dubai 2025 team has curated a series of immersive and large-scale works that explore the transformation of nature, technology, and human experience.
Recommended highlights:
- A new series of performances and large-scale installations by Mexican artist Héctor Zamora, marking the launch of a multi-year partnership between Art Dubai and Alserkal Avenue. The performance will take place on April 17 in the central zone between Foyer 1 and Foyer 2.
- Kahrabaa by Ania Soliman — an installation highlighting the energy crisis in Beirut. Massive canvases merge technology and nature, delivering a powerful artistic message. Located in Foyer 3, after Julius Baer / Piaget.
Directions (Merging) by Emirati artist Mohammed Kazem — a digital work commissioned by Julius Baer, located in the same area. Featuring coordinates of global locations and moving wave visuals, this piece symbolizes cultural unity and presents Dubai as a city of the future. The project celebrates Julius Baer’s 20th anniversary in Dubai and 10-year partnership with Art Dubai.
Directions (Merging). Mohammed Kazem © Photo courtesy of Art Dubai Press Office
Final Stop: Conferences & Discussions
Global Art Forum 2025: The New New Normal
Art Dubai’s flagship conference returns with the theme “The New New Normal,” where speakers will discuss the impact of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and the gamified economy on everyday life. Guest speakers include: architect Rem Koolhaas, artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan, and the art collective POSTPOSTPOST.
Digital Summit 2025
A platform for artists, tech experts, and activists to discuss environmental challenges, AI biases, and the future of museums in the digital era.
Collector Talks: Conversations with Collectors
Exclusive meetings with leading collectors, where guests can hear personal stories about building private collectionsand receive expert tips on collecting art.
Conversation with Artists, Art Dubai 2024 © Photo courtesy of Art Dubai Press Office
Why this guide?
This curated route will take you through Art Dubai 2025’s most essential spots, helping you navigate the key trends and groundbreaking artworks shaping the contemporary art scene.
You’ll not only enjoy aesthetic experiences but also gain a deeper understanding of the fair and its cultural significance.
Art Dubai 2025 is more than just an art fair — it’s a platform for exploring art, technology, and cultural trends. Whether you’re a collector, artist, or art enthusiast, this event will inspire you and offer a fresh perspective on contemporary culture.
For those who want to discover the most striking artworks and uncover the stories behind them, Elen Levitt will be hosting exclusive art tours at the fair. These tours are available by appointment only — an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the MENA art scene with a seasoned expert and collector.
Art Dubai 2025 Ticket Prices
- One-day ticket: 100 AED
- Full fair pass (April 18–20, excluding preview): 200 AED
Fair Opening Hours:
- April 18–19: 2:00 PM–9:00 PM
- April 20: 12:00 PM–6:00 PM
