DUBAI: The world’s leading platform for art and artists from the Middle East and the Global South, Art Dubai, has celebrated its 16th anniversarye Wednesday edition with around 130 galleries from more than 40 countries.

Open for VIP previews on June 1stah Between March 3rd and 2nd and for the public between March 3rd and 5th, Art Dubai features galleries in four main categories: contemporary, modern, bawwabaand Art Dubai Digital, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Art Dubai Managing Director Benedetta Ghione recalled that the organization has always tried to redefine what an art fair can be. She said this year’s expanded program fully reflects Art Dubai’s role as a meeting point for the region’s creative industries in the commercial and non-profit sectors.

“As an independent organisation, we pride ourselves on being more than an art fair: we are a talent incubator, a catalyst for Dubai’s creative industries, a matchmaker of great minds and an entry point into this dynamic ecosystem for the cultural sector in general,” stressed Mrs. Ghione.

Under the patronage of the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Art Dubai will take place at Madinat Joumeirah, Dubai.

Equally ambitious is the platform’s non-profit partnership program, which includes newly commissioned works by renowned artists. Additionally, an expanded educational and leadership program makes this the largest and most comprehensive edition of the show to date.

For his part, Artistic Director Pablo del Val noted that Art Dubai is a place to discover and celebrate new trends, to spark and facilitate conversations and to celebrate the power of creative production in the southern countries.

“Art Dubai is a truly international art fair, which is reflected this year in the quality and geographical spread of the participating galleries,” added Mr. Del Val. The 2023 fair welcomes more than 30 new participants and more than 60% of the gallery program consists of works by artists from the Global South, reaffirming Art Dubai’s position as the main marketplace for art from this rapidly developing region.

Art Dubai Contemporary Showcasing the very best in cutting-edge contemporary art from 76 galleries in 34 countries, with a focus on art and artists from the Global South.

The 16the Edition welcomes 14 new exhibitors and 12 galleries returning to Art Dubai after a hiatus. Likewise, the fair will host 24 Dubai-based galleries, the largest number to date, reflecting Dubai’s thriving arts ecosystem and its growing importance as a global hub for creativity and culture.

This text is a translation of an article published on Arabnews.com