Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the 16th annual Abu Dhabi Art Fair promises an unprecedented showcase of global artistry, uniting 102 galleries from 31 countries.
Inji Efflatoun Les cueilleuses de dattes 1981 Oil on masonite
Set to run from November 20th to 24th at the acclaimed Manarat Al Saadiyat, this year’s fair marks a milestone in both the scale and depth of its offerings, inviting collectors, connoisseurs, and art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a dazzling array of modern and contemporary works, historical artifacts, and avant-garde installations.
Expanding Horizons with Curated Sectors and Debut Collections
As part of its expansive vision, Abu Dhabi Art introduces three new curatorial sectors: Something Bold, Something New, The Collectors Salon, and Silk Road: Drifting Identities. Each sector offers a unique window into various art traditions, emphasizing narratives that bridge eras and geographies. Something Bold, Something New, curated by renowned art specialist Myrna Ayad, celebrates trailblazing artists from the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on works that influenced the region’s art history from the 1960s to the 1980s. Eight galleries will spotlight these seminal figures, from the abstractionist brilliance of Egypt’s Inji Efflatoun to the experimental visions of Iran’s Behjat Sadr.
Ali Cha’aban, Metamorphosis
The debut of The Collectors Salon—a groundbreaking addition curated by Roxane Zand—invites attendees to explore the dialogue between past and present with treasures that span centuries. Here, galleries exhibit rare manuscripts, historical artifacts, and even a carbon typescript of Le Petit Prince, annotated by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry himself. Exhibitors like Daniel Crouch Rare Books, presenting the renowned Asala Collection, and Shapero Rare Books, showcasing a 7th-century Hijazi Qur’an leaf, bring heritage to life in a modern context.
In Silk Road: Drifting Identities, curated by Elvira Eevr Djaltchinova-Malets, the cross-cultural exchange takes center stage. Drawing from Central Asia and the Caucasus, artists like Gulnar Mukazhanova and Mishiko Sulakauri evoke the legacy of the Silk Road’s artistic evolution, blending personal and cultural narratives. Djaltchinova-Malets notes that the artists’ works serve as “a journey of self-discovery,” paralleling the diversity and richness of Silk Road bazaars, where influences from Mongolia to the Caucasus coalesced in vibrant synergy.
Cardenas
Returning Icons and Emerging Talent Unite in Abu Dhabi
The Modern & Contemporary sector will feature internationally acclaimed names such as GALLERIA CONTINUA, Galerie ISA, and the Perrotin gallery, alongside newcomers like Richard Saltoun Gallery. These galleries, alongside participants in the Emerge sector—a category dedicated to affordable contemporary art—will offer visitors a dynamic fusion of renowned and rising artists. Abu Dhabi’s longstanding Bidaya sector, designed to spotlight emerging talent, introduces newcomers such as Kuwait’s Bawa Gallery and the Rizq Art Initiative, fostering a spirit of regional innovation.
A Vision of Cultural Growth and Global Impact
HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, underscores the broader significance of Abu Dhabi Art as part of the emirate’s vision for a robust cultural economy: “With upcoming museum openings, including Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, our cultural economy is poised for unprecedented growth. Abu Dhabi Art plays an essential role in this development, establishing the UAE as a key player in the global art market.”
Kent Gallery Ottoman Saddle
Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art, reinforces this sentiment, noting the fair’s pivotal evolution in 2024: “This year is historic for us. Not only have we expanded our gallery roster beyond 100 for the first time, but we have also curated sectors that spotlight under-researched modern artists from our region. This edition is a drum call, inviting everyone to witness our most ambitious fair to date.”
As the 16th edition of Abu Dhabi Art prepares to open its doors, the fair remains committed to advancing art’s role in cultural and intellectual exchange. For art aficionados and collectors, it promises an unparalleled experience—a celebration of art’s timeless ability to connect, inspire, and transcend.
