From expansive art galleries to educational art exhibitions in Dubai, plus a fantastic line-up of creative spaces, the city is a vibrant hub for artists.
And if you’re an art connoisseur, you’ll be happy to know that an incredible range of art events will be running in Dubai over the next few months.
Whether you’re planning to stroll around solo or enjoy a group outing, mark your social calendars with these exciting Dubai art festivals and art exhibitions in 2024.
Arte Museum Dubai
Why go? To see something totally different
If you’re wandering around Dubai Mall and fancy a spot of culture, make a beeline for Arte Museum Dubai. The fully-immersive art experience is now open in the world’s largest mall, found opposite Galeries Lafayette. Showcasing 30,000 square feet of digital art, the exhibition Eternal Nature has 14 zones to explore in the immersive art experience, with digital technology that will invite you into all aspects of the natural world, virtually. With music, lights and projections, it’s an impressive experience.
From Dhs149. Ongoing. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, dubaiartemuseum.com.
At the Edge of Land by various artists
Why go: To unpack the history of trade routes
The Jameel Arts Centre exhibition showcases works from the Jameel Art Collections, as well as loans and pieces by international artists. It explores the hidden relationships between landscapes and trade, and includes works by artists such as Abbas Akhavan, Rouzbeh Akhbari, Jananne Al-Ani, Tarek Al Ghoussein, Iosu Aramburu, Au Sow Yee, Chihoi, Bady Dalloul, Aref El Rayess, Daniele Genadry, Ho Rui An, Ranjit Kandalgaonkar, Lala Rukh, Hira Nabi, Fazal Rizvi, Sarker Protick, Sim Chi Yin, Joar Songcuya and Zarina. The exhibition is curated by Lucas Morin and originated at Hayy Arts, Jeddah. It highlights the trade routes on which both Dubai and Jeddah are located, including the busy maritime path connecting East Asia and Europe via the Gulf, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
Free. Sat-Thu, 10am-8pm and Fri, noon–8pm. Until Sun Sep 29. Jameel Arts Centre, Jaddaf Waterfront, jameelartscentre.org
Drawing Time: Duets
Why go: To learn about the history of drawing
This exhibition, open until August 4, has emerged from a two-year research project focused on conserving paper. It explores the history of drawing through rarely-seen works from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection. The exhibition aims to re-examine the nature of drawing as a culturally situated disciplinary practice and explores the concept of the double, the pair and the rejoinder.
Free (entry). Until Aug 4. Gallery 4, Al Mureijah Art Space, Sharjah Art Foundation, sharjahart.org
Hannoun by Taysir Batniji
Why go: For information about the ongoing occupation
Jameel Arts Centre is renowned for offering exceptional arts and cultural experiences, including outstanding art exhibitions. One exhibition not to be missed is Hannoun by Palestinian artist Taysir Batniji, which will be on display throughout the summer. The exhibition features a room that replicates the artist’s studio space in Gaza, which he is unable to access due to the ongoing occupation. Inspired by a childhood memory from 1972, Hannoun showcases the artist’s procrastination from doing his homework by sharpening pencils. The scattered red pencil shavings in the exhibition represent a field of poppies, a national symbol of Palestine.
Free (entry). Sat-Thu, 10am-8pm and Fri, noon–8pm. Until Aug. Jameel Arts Centre, Jaddaf Waterfront, jameelartscentre.org
Reverberations: Textile as Echo by various artists
Why go: To understand the history of textile art
Reverberations: Textile as Echo features work by four contemporary artists, M’barek Bouhchichi, Sayan Chanda, Himali Singh Soin, and Swapnaa Tamhane. The showcase is inspired by the rich and diverse history surrounding the practice of textile arts across South and West Asia and North Africa. The pieces include a range of textiles created using traditional dyeing and weaving techniques. Expect to see wool cloth made in southeastern Morocco and then stained with henna, Ikat fabric dyed and woven in Andhra Pradesh and more.
Free (entry). Sat-Thu, 10am-7pm. Until Jul 27. Unit 28, Alserkal Avenue, 8th Street, Al Quoz, gagallery.com (04 346 9305).
Sheher, Prakriti, Devi
Why go? For an insight into India
Curated by Gauri Gill, in dialogue with Sabih Ahmed, Sheher, Prakriti, Devi showcases Gill’s ongoing documentation of urban, rural, domestic, communitarian, public and non-material spaces. The artwork draws inspiration from semi-urban spaces in India since 2003, in a series titled Rememory. Featured artists include Sheher, Prakriti, Devi includes works by Chamba Rumal, Chiara Camoni, Gauri Gill, Ladhki Devi, Mariam Suhail, Meera Mukherjee, Mrinalini Mukherjee, Rashmi Kaleka, Shefalee Jain, Sukanya Ghosh, Vinnie Gill and Yoshiko Crow.
Free. Until Sat Jun 1. Ishara Art Foundation, A3, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, ishara.org.
Short Circuits by Vikram Divecha
Why go? To see the artist’s first solo exhibition
Vikram Divecha’s debut solo exhibition is coming to Dubai. Set to be hosted at Jameel Art Centre, the Beirut-born artist is inspired by planning, construction, demolition and maintenance that shape the cities of the UAE and beyond. You can expect to see playful and poetic site-specific installations, video works, photography and drawings that engage with the UAE’s urban and social histories. This talented artist has been exhibited regionally and internationally at the 57th Venice Biennale’s UAE National Pavilion UAE, the 13th Sharjah Biennial, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts (New York), and more, so don’t miss out.
Free. Until Sun Jun 16. Jameel Arts Centre, jameelartscentre.org.
Steel Life by Arnaud Rivieren
Why go: To see the artist’s second solo show
Steel Life is Arnaud Rivieren’s second solo show, following his previous exhibition Natural Sublime. Pay a visit to Custot Gallery to see the showcase, which includes a selection of 14 new and existing works. Some of the featured pieces are Acorn (2023) and Pine Cone The works display Rivieren’s signature stainless steel, which he uses to create interlocking textures. These new patterns and techniques are the result of a direct confrontation between the artist and nature itself, where Rivieren’s steel-bending skills must tame the inherent architectural freedom of the earth’s designs.
Free (entry). Until Jul 19. Custot Gallery, Warehouse 84, Alserkal Avenue, 8th Street, Al Quoz, alserkal.online
That Which Does Not Belong
Why go? To see art by homegrown artists
The Arts Club Dubai recently announced its ninth stairway exhibition, That Which Does Not Belong. The exhibition will features a collection of works by a UAE-based artist collective, Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, and Hesam Rahmanian. It showcases two sculptures and several three-dimensional collages and paintings, which explore their identities.
Prices vary. Until Oct 1. The Arts Club Dubai, ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC theartsclub.ae (04 350 6506).
WonderScape by OliOli
Why go: For a family day out
Kids and adults alike will enjoy the Wonderscape exhibition at OliOli, which explores light, colour and sounds through works by various artists. You can look forward to seeing interactive art installations by artists, including Kaleidoskop by Karina Smigla-Bobinski, Quantum Jungle by Robin Baumgarten, Line Wobbler by Robin Baumgarten and Luminous Lagoon created by OliOli.
Dhs169 (one adult and one child). Mon 11am-6pm, Tue-Thu, 9am-6pm, Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 9am-8pm and Sun 9am-7pm. Until end Aug. 62 4 A Street, Al Quoz 1, olioli.ae
Whispers of Legends by Leila Eskandari
Why go: To see mesmerising artwork
Whispers of Legends is a solo exhibition by Iranian artist Leila Eskandari, which explores the impact of stories. Her latest works are particularly inspired by Shahnameh, also known as The Book of Kings, an epic poem completed by the Persian writer Abolqasem Ferdowsi in the early 11th century. The artwork features dreamscapes which blur myth and reality through ‘intense colour palette and undulating lines’.
Free (entry). Until Sun Jul 28. Warehouse 27, Zawyeh Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, 8th Street, Al Quoz, alserkal.online
