The Abu Dhabi Executive Council has announced that it will hold the biggest-ever Abu Dhabi Art Fair, in celebration of the event’s 15th anniversary.
Running from 22nd to 26th November at Manarat Al Saadiyat, the event will see 92 galleries from over 31 countries come together with an incredible programme of installations, sculpture, paintings, mixed media and digital art.
The fair is a key event in the Arab creative arts programme and is seen as a key cultural platform for West Asia.
This year’s edition spotlights diverse geographies alongside curated exhibitions and commissions, positioning itself as a place of discovery for global art histories. The fair remains committed to welcoming diverse curatorial perspectives, embedding itself in the community, and playing an integral part in the art ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
The 92 participating galleries represent countries from around the globe – including, for the first time, galleries from Georgia, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, and Chile.
Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art, said “This year’s Abu Dhabi Art represents a significant moment in the fair’s history due to its sheer size, with double the number of galleries participating since its early days. We are delighted to be able to attract such a diverse range of artists and galleries from around the world, in part thanks to the important contribution and research of our global gallery representatives.
“The presence of so many new galleries at the Fair signifies how dynamic the local and regional art market has become over the last 15 years. By working closely with curators, gallery representatives, galleries and artists, we are also ensuring that our gallery presentations offer unparalleled access to art histories and research, ensuring visitors have the opportunity to better understand these wide-ranging global positions.”
Representing some of the participating galleries this year is Maneli Keykavioussi, who will focus on Latin America with participating galleries including Dan Galleria, Pablo Goebel Fine Arts, Praxis, Galeria Karla Osorio, Galeria La Cometa and Casa Zirio; visiting professor Riccarda Mandrini focusing on sustainability with participating galleries including Kó, LIA RUMMA, THK Gallery, and ADN Galleria; Founder and Director of Le Violon Bleu Gallery Essia Hamdi, who will focus on female artists from the Arab world with galleries including Agial Art Gallery, Galerie Krinzinger and Wadi Finan Art Gallery; and Chris Wan Feng – who will bring together galleries that reflect on Hong Kong’s historical and contemporary art landscape, including Rossi & Rossi, and HANART TZ.
Chris Wan Feng, Curator, Art Critic and gallery representative for the participating Hong Kong galleries, said: “I am honoured to be invited to curate the Hong Kong Focus sector of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair this year, where we will present for the first time in the Middle East a great selection of Modern and Contemporary art from Hong Kong, reflecting its unique and rich historical context, and the exciting contemporary art scene taking place now in the region. I am confident that the encounter and exchange with the audience of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair will further develop and strengthen our art dialogue between the two regions”.
Among the 37 new galleries that will be present at the fair this year are LIA RUMMA (Italy), De Sarthe (Hong Kong), Leo Gallery (Hong Kong), and Pablo Goebel Fine Arts (Mexico). Abu Dhabi Art will also welcome back 55 galleries that have participated in previous editions. Returning galleries include Gallery Isabelle Van Den Eynde (UAE), Sean Kelly (USA), Hakgojae Gallery (South Korea), Mazzoleni (Italy), HANART TZ Gallery (China), Galerie Krinzinger (Austria) and Perrotin (France), among many others.
The Modern & Contemporary section of the fair will see 40 participating galleries including Rossi & Rossi (Hong Kong), Selma Feriani Gallery (Tunisia), and Bernier/Eliades (Greece).
More announcements are expected, in the coming months prior to the event in late November.
