World Art Dubai returns with powerful message to attract art enthusiasts from all walks of life, as city captures attention of the international art scene
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Feeding the Middle East’s growing appetite for art and underlining Dubai’s prominence in the international art scene, World Art Dubai is returning with a powerful message that global contemporary and accessible art is affordable and readily available for every wall.
From 6-9 April, the four-day fair will make Dubai the centre of international attention, creating a unique platform for worldwide galleries to present art lovers with works costing from $100 to $10,000, banishing the stigma of art as a luxury exclusively for the rich.
The latest report by ArtTactic, an art market analysis firm, demonstrated how momentum is building in the Middle Eastern modern and contemporary art market, with sales rising to $14 million in the spring of 2015, an increase of more than 71.4% year on year.
Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre, the second edition of World Art Dubai will feature over 3,000 artworks – paintings, sculptures and photographs - from more than 140 local, regional and international artists, and galleries from 30 countries worldwide.
One of its key aims as the Middle East’s leading affordable art fair is to support artists in showcasing fresh and contemporary work to feed the rising demand for art in the UAE and across the region.
As the world fifth’s largest growing city with more than 202 nationalities, Dubai has become an integral part of the international art scene, and as part of its official Art Season the four-day fair seeks to unite global artists with Dubai’s cosmopolitan community by showcasing a range of unique and contemporary art pieces by both emerging and established artists.
This year’s event sees an expanded programme of activities and features including a private preview programme for VIPs and collectors.
Among the players representing the UAE are Cross Borders Gallery, which works to erase geographical borders and social differences through the medium of art, and Andakulova Gallery, which aims to promote Central Asia’s contemporary visual arts. They will share the stage with international galleries from countries such as Singapore, Spain, France and Japan.
Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC, said: “Our aim with World Art Dubai is to support artists and educate the public that art can be affordable and not just open to a certain niche audience. This is a unique chance for visitors to be exposed to a diverse collection of local and international pieces and find and buy art for their own walls, regardless of what their budget might be.”
The event organisers are currently working with a newly formed committee of cultural ambassadors and art industry experts, comprising Rebia Naim, Director at the International Emerging Artist Award, Wendy Harris, Head of Art at Repton School, Noush Anand, Creative Director at Freedom Art and Neel Patkar, Director at The Jam Jar, Dubai’s only urban do-it-yourself painting studio.
Other activities and features will include a live painting area, where visitors will see art come to life right in front of them, and a variety of talks and workshops for participants to immerse themselves fully in the art-making process. There will also be an art installation zone showcasing how art can transform the perception of a space. An array of art installations, a VIP Preview and an Affordable Art Wall will also be showcased in addition to an exciting entertainment line-up with food trucks and hip F&B options.
The event has partnered with the widely- acclaimed International Emerging Artist Award which becomes the official Award Partner. Now in its fourth edition, this award is dedicated to emerging artists in order to provide them with support and career opportunities and this year’s winners will be unveiled on the fair's opening day, 6 April.
World Art Dubai has also entered into partnership with Repton School, one of the leading educational communities in the world. As the official school partner, Repton will assist in running an inter-school art competition for students, ‘Urban Dubai’, across the city’s range of junior and senior schools.
Entry to World Art Dubai is AED15 for a daily pass and tickets can be purchased onsite during the fair at the welcome desks. Children of 16 years and under are admitted free of charge, upon showing a student ID. More information and pre-registration is available at the website, www.worldartdubai.com
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