17th Abu Dhabi Art Fair To Showcase Over 140 Galleries From Around The World In November 2025

The 17th Abu Dhabi Art Fair, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will be held from 19 to 23 November at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), this year's event will showcase over 140 galleries from 37 countries, featuring more than 600 artists and over 2,000 artworks.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, expressed enthusiasm about the fair's growth: "The upcoming edition of Abu Dhabi Art Fair promises to be the most ambitious yet, featuring a record number of galleries from around the world. Over the years, the fair has evolved into the region’s most influential platform for art and ideas, a cultural moment where the UAE’s pioneering spirit engages with the global art community."

This year marks increased participation with a 40% rise compared to last year. Leading international galleries like Pace and Richard Saltoun Gallery are returning. New exhibitors such as Loft Art Gallery and Galeria RGR will also join. This reflects Abu Dhabi's growing influence in both institutional and private art collecting circles.

Dyala Nusseibeh, Director of Abu Dhabi Art, highlighted the fair's diverse representation: "This dynamic line-up of 140 galleries from 37 countries reflects the UAE’s maturing art market, the growing collector base in Abu Dhabi and strong government-led investment in our creative and cultural industries driving unprecedented growth across the sector. Our curatorial focus continues to centre under-represented art histories and foster equity in global art narratives through the platform of the fair."

The Nigeria Spotlight section is part of Nigeria Everywhere initiative aiming to enhance global exposure of Nigerian creativity. Six pioneering galleries will display works that explore identity, politics, history, and place. Participating galleries include SOTO Gallery and AMG Gallery among others.

Modern Türkiye is curated by Doris Benhalegua Karako. It features rarely seen works by modern masters like Fahrelnissa Zeid at DG Art Gallery and Projects. Other participants include Art On Istanbul Gallery showcasing Burhan Doğançay.

Regional Highlights

The Gulf Region section presents leading Khaleeji artists through galleries like Gallery Isabelle with Hassan Sharif's works. Other notable participants include Wusum Gallery featuring Tarek Darwish's pieces.

A newly repurposed space named ALDAR Hall will be unveiled at Manarat Al Saadiyat's entrance to accommodate expanding participation. This area will host Gulf Focus section galleries along with those from West Asia and North Africa (WANA). New exhibitors here include Loft Art Gallery from Morocco.

Collectors’ Salon Returns

The Collectors’ Salon curated by Roxane Zand returns with an impressive line-up including Kent Antiques and Daniel Crouch Rare Books among others. This segment continues to attract collectors seeking rare finds.

The fair aims to amplify diverse art narratives through its Focus sectors while fostering equity in global art discussions. The event promises an engaging experience for attendees interested in contemporary art trends worldwide.

With inputs from WAM