Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the 2018 edition of Abu Dhabi Art kicked off today in the UAE capital’s artistic hub, Saadiyat Cultural District. Running from November 14 to 17, the four-day art fair will merge 46 international galleries— ranging from the homegrown Ayyam Gallery to London’s Gazelli Art House — under one roof.
For its past nine editions, Abu Dhabi Art has succeeded in catering to collectors, art world denizens, and the general public, and this year is shaping up to be no different. Featuring exhibitions, performance art, installations, talks, and workshops, the four-day celebration of all things art continues to exceed itself in scope.
HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said in a statement: “We are proud to continue this positive momentum and present another year of immersive, educational and inclusive programming for all visitors. Once again, we present an event that breaks the traditional boundaries of a fair and continues to be a key platform, contributing to the global cultural scene at the same time as presenting our national identity and artistic contribution.”
Artists showcasing their works include those that are established and emerging, and hail from 19 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East. Particularly worth seeing this season are local artists including Ajman-based photographer Ammar Al Attar, Egyptian painter Moataz Nasr, and Emirati multi-media artist Mohammed Kazem, among many others.
Key art talks not to be missed will be the panel discussing the circulation of art, led by art historian Nada Shabout and author of Forces Of Change: Artists in the Arab World, Salwa Mikdadi. Additionally, luxury French jeweler Boucheron has teamed up with the art fair for the first time ever to celebrate the festival’s 10th year anniversary, by way of stunning high jewelry from the brand’s Hiver Impérial High Jewelry collection, which will be on display for visitors to enjoy.
Don’t forget to check back later for Vogue.me’s full comprehensive report on what to see and do at this year’s 10th edition of Abu Dhabi Art. In the meantime, check out our definitive guide to Dubai Design Week 2018 and the inaugural Fikra Graphic Design Biennale in Sharjah.
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