BackDubai, the city known for its superlatives, boasts towering skyscrapers, luxurious restaurants, pristine beaches, and exceptional hospitality. However, there's another aspect of this cosmopolitan hub that often goes unrecognized: its vibrant visual art, nature, and cultural exhibitions. With a diverse population of expats, art galleries in Dubai are incredibly eclectic, showcasing works that inspire deep contemplation and reflection. In this blog, we explore some of the finest art galleries Dubai has to offer.
XVA
Offering a range of Middle Eastern inspired vegetarian options served in any of the three shaded courtyards.
Since XVA Café opened it has been hailed as “Dubai’s best kept secret”, serving freshly prepared vegetarian food. Be transported back to a simpler time with a signature mint lemonade in the traditional courtyard, serenaded by the rustle of leaves and light chirping of birds.
Furthermore, XVA also offers expert art consultancy and project management solutions to individuals and corporate identities interested in holding exhibitions or setting up an arts and crafts space. Moreover, the gallery has a very rustic and traditional looking cafe that is dubbed as Dubai’s best kept secret. The eatery has been hailed as a favourite by none other than Gordon Ramsay.
Location
XVA is located in the historic neighbourhood of Al Fahidi.
The Third Line
Founded in 2005, The Third Line is a Dubai-based gallery that represents contemporary Middle Eastern artists locally, regionally, and internationally. A pioneering platform for established talent and emerging voices from the region and its diaspora, The Third Line has built a dynamic program that explores the diversity of practice in the region.
In addition to its exhibitions, The Third Line engages in the production of art publications in English and Arabic and hosts numerous non-profit, alternative programs that add to the discourse on art, film, music and literature in the region.
Location
The Third Line is located in the surreal setting of Alserkal Avenue, within Al Quoz.
The Opera Gallery
The Opera Gallery adventure began over 25 years ago, in 1994, when our two first exhibition spaces opened simultaneously in Paris and in Singapore with the aim of showing international emerging artists alongside masters of Contemporary and Modern Art. Thanks to an incredible community of collectors, artists, supporters and my outstanding Opera Gallery staff, we have, along the years, expanded to include twelve further spaces in prime locations around the world: in New York, Miami, Miami Bal Harbour, Aspen, London, Monaco, Geneva, Dubai, Beirut, Hong Kong and Seoul.
Location
The Opera Gallery Dubai is located in Gate Village, DIFC on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Oblong Contemporary Gallery
Oblong’s original gallery is in the beautiful seaside town of Forte dei Marmi, Italy. The Dubai gallery, which was inaugurated in 2019, serves as a bridge between cultures where the best of European and Middle Eastern contemporary art come together. It hosts exhibitions on a regular basis to showcase the works of renowned global artists – some recent names include Iranian artist Abol Atighetchi, Italian contemporary great Pablo Dana and Antonio Signorini, whose sculptural work can be seen in DIFC. Click here to listen to co-founder Paola Marucci’s interview with The Luxury Podcast.
Location
Oblong Contemporary Gallery is located on Bluewaters Island.
Green Art Gallery
The Empty Quarter
The Empty Quarter is the only place of its kind in the entire Middle East, which exhibits and celebrates photography. As a membership exclusive gallery, members look through the lens of a camera and enjoy stills of nature, country-side, urban infrastructure, historic architecture, documentary films, photo-journalism as well as random street photography. The gallery promotes creations of internationally recognized names in the field of photography; including Al-Moutasim Al Maskery, Steve McCurry, Marc Riboud, and Bruno Barbey. There is also a section dedicated to books and a place for people to have discourse over the various forms of photography.
Location
The Empty Quarter can be found at Gate Village, Building 02, DIFC, on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Gallery One
Last on the list is the retail chain, Gallery One, which offers a myriad of contemporary pieces of art to collectors and hobbyists. Despite not being overly intricate and abstract in its offerings, Gallery One’s outlets have enough art souvenirs to satiate the appetite of anyone. One of the most impressive features about them is how they commission art pieces that draw inspiration from daily life occurrences. This helps them stay abreast of what's fresh and relevant in the market.
Location
They have three locations in Dubai - one in Mirdif Center, another in Arabian Ranches II and one more in Souq Al Bahar.
