Abu Dhabi Art Announces Details for 2025 Edition
Abu Dhabi’s flagship event for contemporary and modern art, the Abu Dhabi Art Fair, returns for its highly anticipated 17th edition from November 19–23, 2025. This iteration will bring together a record-breaking lineup of over 140 galleries from more than 50 cities across 35 countries, marking a significant 40 percent increase in participation from the previous year.
Held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the fair is organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). Since its launch in 2009, the fair has evolved into the largest and most influential art platform in the region.
This year, the fair amplifies global focus with special attention to dynamic art scenes from Nigeria, the Gulf region, and Türkiye. Notably, first-time exhibitors from the Ivory Coast, the Netherlands, and Tanzania will debut, broadening its international reach and highlighting Abu Dhabi Art’s commitment to global representation.
In the words of H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi:
“The upcoming edition of Abu Dhabi Art Fair promises to be the most ambitious yet, featuring a record number of galleries from around the world. Over the years, the fair has evolved into the region’s most influential platform for art and ideas, a cultural moment where the UAE’s pioneering spirit engages with the global art community. Each edition advances our mission to foster Abu Dhabi’s vibrant creative ecosystem, connecting artists, collectors, and audiences in a dialogue that transcends borders, encourages meaningful exchange, and sparks new possibilities.”
Expanding on this vision, Dyala Nusseibeh, director of Abu Dhabi Art, said:
“This dynamic line-up of 140 galleries from 35 countries reflects the UAE’s maturing art market, the growing collector base in Abu Dhabi, and strong government-led investment in our creative and cultural industries driving unprecedented growth across the sector. Our curatorial focus continues to center on underrepresented art histories and foster equity in global art narratives through the platform of the fair.”
Abu Dhabi Art’s 2025 program includes three Global Focus sectors that aim to amplify diverse, underrepresented art narratives:
Nigeria Spotlight
In collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, the Nigeria Spotlight features seven pioneering galleries representing the country’s vibrant contemporary art scene. The initiative forms a key part of the “Nigeria Everywhere” campaign, aimed at expanding the global reach of Nigerian culture.
Participating Nigerian galleries include:
- SOTO Gallery
- AMG Projects
- returning exhibitor kó
- O’DA Gallery
- 1897 Gallery
- Windsor Gallery
- Ishara Gallery
- and a special project with MADhouse by Tikera Africa
The showcased works span a wide range – from conceptual installations and figurative painting to mixed media – highlighting themes of identity, heritage, and socio-political critique.
Modern Türkiye
This debut Focus sector, curated by Doris Benhalegua Karako, brings rarely seen works by modern Turkish masters to the forefront. Featured galleries and artists include:
- DG Art Gallery and Projects (featuring works by Fahrelnissa Zeid)
- Art On Istanbul Gallery (spotlighting Burhan Doğançay)
- BüroSarigedik (presenting Gülsün Karamustafa and Cengiz Çekil)
The Gulf Region
Anchored in regional perspectives, this section showcases leading Khaleeji voices. Participating galleries and represented artists include:
- Gallery Isabelle (Hassan Sharif, Mohammed Kazem, Alia Zaal)
- Hunna Art (Alymamah Rashed, Joud Fahmy, Zayn Qahtani)
- SAPAR Contemporary (Rashid Al-Khalifa)
- Iris Projects (Nasser Al Salem, Juma Al Haj, Shamsa Al Omaira)
- Hafez Gallery (Sami Al Marzoogi, Sara Alabdali, Raeda Ashour)
- Albareh Art Gallery (Nasser Al Yousif)
Collectors’ Salon
Returning to Abu Dhabi Art is the esteemed Collectors’ Salon, curated by Roxane Zand, former Deputy Chair of Sotheby’s Middle East. This year, it features a compelling mix of international exhibitors, including:
- Kent Antiques
- Daniel Crouch Rare Books
- INLIBRIS
- Almine Rech
- Perrotin
Aldar Hall at Manarat Al Saadiyat
Strengthening its partnership with the fair, Aldar returns as a leading sponsor and unveils the newly repurposed Aldar Hall at Manarat Al Saadiyat. This expanded space will be dedicated to exhibitors from the Gulf Focus and West Asia and North Africa (WANA) regions, and also includes galleries from West Africa.
Notable participants in Aldar Hall include:
- Loft Art Gallery
- Comptoir de Mines Galerie (Morocco)
- Yosr Ben Ammar Gallery (Tunisia)
- Galerie Farah Fakhri (Ivory Coast)
As the fair continues its trajectory of growth and inclusivity, Abu Dhabi Art 2025 is poised to reaffirm the UAE’s central role in the global cultural conversation – connecting artists, curators, collectors, and art lovers from across the world in a truly global creative exchange.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
