Abu Dhabi Art 2025 brings galleries from Nigeria, Turkey, the Gulf, and beyond, celebrating contemporary creativity and global artistic dialogue

Abu Dhabi Art 2025 is set to transform the emirate into a global hub of contemporary creativity this November, bringing together pioneering galleries from Nigeria, Turkey, the Gulf, and beyond.

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For the first time, galleries from Algeria, the Netherlands, Peru, and Tanzania will participate, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s growing international influence.

Since its inception in 2009, the fair has become the region’s premier art event, attracting world-renowned galleries including Pace, Richard Saltoun, Mennour, Hanart TZ, and ATHR.

This year, newcomers such as Loft Art Gallery, Pedro Cera, and EQTNA Rare Books inject fresh energy into a line-up that has expanded by 40 percent compared with last year, underscoring the city’s rising significance on the global collecting circuit.

The fair’s curated Focus sectors highlight the depth and diversity of contemporary expression. Nigeria Spotlight features seven pioneering galleries as part of the Nigeria Everywhere initiative, presenting works that merge local realities with global conversations.

Participating galleries, including SOTO, AMG Projects, O’DA, 1897, Windsor, Ishara, kó, and a special project with MADhouse by Tikera Africa, offer a window into a vibrant cultural scene shaping global discourse.

“Modern Turkey,” curated by Doris Benhalegua Karako, presents rarely seen works by masters such as Fahrelnissa Zeid at DG Art Gallery and Projects, Burhan Dogançay at Art On Istanbul Gallery, and Gulsun Karamustafa and Cengiz Cekil at BuroSarigedik.

Gulf-region galleries showcase leading Khaleeji artists including Hassan Sharif, Mohammed Kazem, Alymamah Rashed, Nasser Al Yousif, and Sara Alabdali.

The Collectors’ Salon, curated by former Sotheby’s deputy chair Roxane Zand, offers rare books, antiques, and works from blue-chip galleries such as Almine Rech and Perrotin, catering to collectors seeking exceptional pieces.

A highlight this year is the newly unveiled Aldar Hall at Manarat Al Saadiyat, featuring galleries from the Gulf and WANA region, including first-time exhibitors Loft Art Gallery, Comptoir de Mines Galerie (Morocco), Yosr Ben Ammar Gallery (Tunisia), and Galerie Farah Fakhri (Ivory Coast), reflecting the fair’s commitment to broadening regional representation.

Backed by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Art 2025 is more than a fair it is a year-round celebration of culture, combining ambitious site-specific works with opportunities for discovery, dialogue, and acquisition.

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The event continues to cement the emirate’s reputation as a global destination for innovation, creativity, and unparalleled artistic experiences.