Abu Dhabi Art is to welcome international galleries to the UAE capital for the 15th edition of the fair across genres ranging from modern to contemporary and emerging works.
The event will take place at the Manarat Al Saadiyat cultural centre from 22 to 26 November 2023 under the 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.
Galleries were invited to apply online, with dozens selected from around the world including the Focus category, in which specific artists were chosen by a guest curator.
Last year’s fair featured the largest and most diverse gallery line-up to date, with 80 galleries from 28 countries presenting more than 900 artworks by 300 artists from around the Middle East and across the globe.
Meanwhile, Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, who represented the United Arab Emirates at the 59th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia in 2022, has been announced as this year’s visual campaign artist.
A selection of his works – featuring inscriptions, lines and abstract forms reminiscent of ancient cave drawings – will be used to promote the fair on the world stage and form the overall visual identity for the event.
Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art, said: “We are already building on the diversity and depth of booth presentations at the fair for the upcoming edition, together with our galleries and guest curators.
“Visitors will discover contemporary artists from around the world, consider the context of the UAE hosting COP28 this year and the relationship of certain artists to the environment, whilst also encountering a platform for further research on Modern WANASA artists.
“The contribution of Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim as our visual campaign artist sets the tone for Abu Dhabi Art 2023 from the outset, as he has an extraordinary relationship to the landscape around him and to nature, one that has evolved in the fullness of time to represent a connection to the UAE that is both singular and collective, local and global in its resonance.
“As we look forward to our 15th edition in November, our visual campaign signposts the way for a fair that has taken root in the community in lasting ways.”
Previous artists who have participated in the art fair’s annual visual campaign include Farah Al Qasimi, Ayesha Hadhir, Rawdha Khalifa Al Ketbi, Shaikha Fahad Al Ketbi, Ebtisam Abdulaziz, Monira Al Qadiri and Tarek Al-Ghoussein.
