Take The Lane Around Contemporary Art in Dubai in 2020

I was always under the impression that we can only get a glimpse of art at its best all around the european countries, never occurred to me that Dubai has become a popular art and entertainment hub in the Middle East with the traditional Arab culture that is strongly knitted in the city. Starting from Middle Eastern art artists blooming to international artists, the Dubai art galleries have stated the true colours of the city’s creative scenery. Burj Al Arab and the skyscrapers along the Sheikh Zayed Road which are the pride of Dubai have also been drawn on canvas by artists and showcased in a lot of galleries here.

A trip to an art gallery can be informative, enlightening and sometimes challenging. But which ones should be at the top of your visit in the Emirate? Here’s your guide for the top 7 Art galleries:

1. XVA

A combination that you’ve never heard before, the charm of a boutique plus the twist of a gallery in one add a little bit of food then were just good to settle here for a couple of days.

Why should you consider visiting this place? located in AI Fahidi which is the city’s only heritage area where traditional styled buildings have been preserved. XVA specialises in contemporary art from Arab countries and the subcontinent.

Not only does it exhibit locally but also participates in international exhibitions such as SH Contemporary, Art London, and Art Basel Hong Kong.

Apart from providing space for loaned work, this facility also provides art rotations for a rent, art consultancy as well as project management for companies and individuals.

The working hours of XVA is 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm.

2. The Third Line

Apart from representing contemporary local and international Middle Eastern artists, its major mission is to get different regions talking about art through its non-profit programmes. What makes it one of the top contemporary art galleries?- The work displayed in this gallery like the Farah AL Qasimi, Amir H. Fallah, Tarek AL – Ghoussein, Hassan Hajjaj and Huda Lutfi to name a few.

This gallery remains closed on friday’s, rest all days are open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

3. Ayyam Gallery

Being a non-profit scheme found in the city of Beirut, Ayyam Gallery has been a big success in this region and has three outposts. spoiled for choice, the contemporary art fans here are offered with both the Al Quoz and Dubai International Financial Centre neighbourhoods.

The latter happens to be more of an upscale area and has majorly taking care of established and emerging talents and taking them around the United States, Europe and Asia which is a part of their mandate to spread art as far as possible. They also have a multilingual publishing division and a custodianship programme that manages the estates of trailblazing artists.

The working hours are Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

4. Elmarsa Gallery

The Best Contemporary Art Galleries in Dubai

Opening in Tunisia in 1994, Elmarsa has had a stretch of events in Paris, Miami and Marrakech, and long after launched in Dubai in 2015. This gallery has always been about voicing out talents from the Middle East and giving the Arab world a platform to display their art work and build a network on an international level.

Elmarsa thrives catching its artists taking contemporary art in the most innovative path and hence you can expect tackling subjects like the impact of the Mediterranean, African and Arab heritage on global issues. Abdulaziz Ashour, Emna Masmoudi and Omar Bey are some of the artists here.

Working hours of elmarsa from Monday to Friday is 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, whereas on Saturdays it is from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

5. Cuadro Fine Art Gallery

Being an exclusive contemporary art platform in Dubai, This art gallery offers 3-month residencies for art book publications and its artists to develop and exhibit their skills. Also home to a wide range of art exhibitions, educational programs, and art consultation.

This gallery enhances the exhibitions that take place here by adding the Cuadro Education Programme which includes lectures, panel discussions, and workshops. The working hours of this gallery is 10:00 am to 08:00 pm from Sunday to Thursday.

6. Opera Gallery

Providing justice to the name, this gallery hosts everything from graffiti artists to pop-music album covers, situated in the elegant DIFC. think George Morton-Clark, Blek le Rat and Keith Haring.

Opera gallery charms business people trudge the walkways of the financial spots and fine diners who just want to enjoy what’s on display before heading off to dinner close by. These doors are open even for private events in the prestigious setting.

In addition to the extensive and unique curated programme of exhibitions, this galley secures and protects the heritage of Modern and Contemporary artists through collaborations with various museums, art centres and foundations around the world.

Timings vary from day to day: Timings:

Sunday to Wednesday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Fridays from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Saturday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.

7. Tashkeel

A visit to Tashkeel Art Centre – Sharmistha's musings

This place is located to the south of the Dubai Creek, with its own Tashkeel Critical Practice Programme it is not only an art gallery but is also the hub for nurturing the artists of the future. Many of the artworks here on display belong to alumni whose origin is in the UAE, including fabricators and graphic designers. workshops on embroidery, etching and calligraphy, also encouraging discussions on the analysis of artworks, how to decode the meaning around art pieces are hosted by this gallery.

Since its opening in 2008, it has been a part of many art initiatives around the country. The best part about this gallery is that even if you’re not an artist, Tashkeel’s gallery space rotates and displays the work of members and also features exhibitions from their ongoing practice programme.

Its Opening Hours are from 10 am to 10 pm, from Saturday to Thursday and remains closed on Fridays.

Now, with all these galleries you would have enough context on how good the contemporary galleries here at Dubai are. Housing renowned paintings, mind blowing sculptures and installations. The art galleries here in Dubai will take you on the most innovative ride of joy, so start planning your trip to Dubai you can choose either to live within the art or come alive!