BackDubai takes great pride in displaying its artistic flair through various mediums. The city features vibrant street art in many of its historic districts as well as in contemporary areas like City Walk. Throughout the year, numerous art exhibitions in Dubai highlight this creativity, complemented by a wide array of art galleries scattered across the city.
Undoubtedly the city of superlatives, from skyscrapers and upscale restaurants to dreamy beaches and top-tier hospitality - Dubai offers the best of everything. But there is another facet to the cosmopolitan city that often goes unnoticed, which is the exhibition of visual art, nature and culture. Since Dubai is home to expats from around the globe, the art galleries are truly eclectic, and feature works that take one on an ethereal journey to ponder and reflect. Whether you are a connoisseur or simply an art enthusiast, here are some of the best art galleries in Dubai for you to visit.
1. XVA
One of the most well-known art galleries in the Middle East, XVA highlights art from across the region, and neighbouring areas such as India and Africa. It is a great opportunity for emerging artists to be discovered and for masters in the field to display their work. The XVA gallery is located in the historic Al Fahidi District, which presents a snapshot of the UAE’s heritage with its winding lanes and traditionally designed buildings. The gallery is joined by the XVA Art Hotel, so you don’t have to limit your appreciation of the arts to just one visit.
Just as the abstract name suggests, XVA is home to a curated collection of art pieces from both renowned and underground artists. Established in 2004, the gallery primarily showcases works of Middle-Eastern painters and sculptors - with a focus on the intermingling of cultural identities and perspectives that challenges visitors to look beyond their preconceived notions of borders and cultural barriers.
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.
2. Cuadro Fine Art Gallery
The Gate Village brings a taste of luxury to the DIFC, making it one of Dubai’s most desirable lifestyle destinations. Explore Dubai’s unparalleled collection of award-winning restaurants and art galleries, from our favorite homegrown concepts to some of world’s most renowned names. You can also dive into the world of the arts and explore galleries and auction houses that cater to all tastes.
With over 40 outlets, the Gate Village joins fine dining and art under an architecturally unique outdoor setting, in the hub of downtown Dubai. For all things luxury, Gate Village is your go-to destination.
3. Fann A Porter
Fann À Porter is a contemporary art gallery at The Workshop Dubai that represents a diverse selection of emerging international and regional artists. The gallery aims to nurture the burgeoning and dynamic contemporary art scene through quality exhibitions, non-profit events, auctions, and an active community program.
The gallery’s exhibition program includes eight curated exhibitions a year, and features artists working across diverse media. Fann À Porter has established a series of dialogues and collaborations with curators, writers, governmental entities, and institutions to affirm its commitment to support the long-term development of young contemporary artists from the Middle East.
4. 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.
5. Lawrie Shabibi
Lawrie Shabibi was founded in 2010 and opened its doors in early 2011 in Alserkal Avenue, located within the light industrial warehouse district of Al Quoz in Dubai. Following the relocation of several renowned galleries, this quickly became the hub of contemporary art in the region, and we have been a forerunner in the development of this contemporary art scene. In 2020 Lawrie Shabibi established an outpost in London’s Cromwell Place.
The gallery’s initial focus was on the practices of emerging contemporary artists from the Middle East and North Africa (the “Global South”), and in the last five years we introduced artists from other regions and generations, yet with the same focus on the “underrepresented”. A major focus remains the support of artists from the diaspora who create work in all media to explore issues such as identity, memory, history and socio-political issues specific to the diasporic experience.
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