ABU DHABI: The 17th edition of the Abu Dhabi Art Fair opened its doors at Manarat Al Saadiyat, featuring more than 140 galleries from 37 countries and reflecting a rich tapestry of global and regional art. Under the leadership of director Dyala Nusseibeh, the fair highlights Emirati and Gulf perspectives while fostering international dialogue.
Read More: First Lady visits Abu Dhabi Art 2025
Arab modernism remains a central theme, with special focus on Nigeria and Turkey to explore questions of national identity, tradition, and artistic evolution. The fair’s expansive layout allows visitors to engage with works that range from traditional miniature paintings to contemporary explorations of migration, memory, and ecological change.
Notable displays include Galerie Isa from Mumbai, showcasing Pakistani National College of Arts graduate Eeman Masood, whose hypnotic miniature paintings evoke ethereal forests. SM Khayyam’s ‘Whispers of the Deewan’ reinterprets Mughal miniature traditions through a contemporary pop-art lens, while Indian artists Jaggu Prasad and Mahaweer Swami present hyper-realistic miniatures of flora and fauna.
Why Abu Dhabi’s Vibrant Art Scene is Well Worth a Look. With a combination of generous investment, international brands, and fast-growing local institutions, Abu Dhabi is staking a claim as a new capital of culture. Read more here: https://t.co/wFUyIiMc87 pic.twitter.com/2NCTZpnuL9
— DestinAsian Magazine (@DestinAsian_Mag) November 30, 2025
The centerpiece exhibition, Seeds of Memory: Migration as Ceremony, Survival and Renewal, addresses migration and memory across personal, cultural, and ecological dimensions. Iranian artists Moslem Khezri and Orkideh Torabi offer contrasting perspectives on modern Iranian life, blending subtle melancholy with animated storytelling.
The fair not only celebrates artistic diversity but also positions Abu Dhabi as an emerging cultural hub in the Middle East. Visitors and international press members alike praised the city’s growing prominence on the global arts stage, emphasizing the role of such initiatives in fostering cross-cultural exchange and understanding.
Read More: Art show displaying work of contemporary artists kicks off
As the fair concluded for the evening, attendees reflected on Abu Dhabi’s rise as a cultural crossroads, bridging the Gulf with international art networks while encouraging conversations about identity, tradition, and contemporary practice.