Dubai FAQ Art Galleries and Exhibitions in Dubai  
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Thursday 24 July 2008 (UAE)  
  
 
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Art Galleries and Art Exhibitions in Dubai
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There is a growing art scene in Dubai with many exhibitions and works displayed from artists based in Dubai and elsewhere in the Middle East, in addition to works displayed from international artists. A few shops in Dubai call themselves a gallery when they really are only a furniture or picture frame shop. Nevertheless, some of them have some interesting stuff to look at. Just wander around one of Dubai's shopping centres and you'll find something. But that's hardly what most people are looking for in an art gallery.

There are two areas of Dubai with a cluster of art galleries and recommended for a visit. The galleries highlighted in green are on the "must see" list (although to be fair, it's worth visiting all the galleries in the same group as they're so close to each other). A list of galleries and further details follow the two suggested areas.

1. Bastakiya (or Bastakia) in Bur Dubai to visit the Majlis, XVA, Eye Art Gallery, Ostra Art Gallery and maybe the Basta Art Cafe for a coffee - all within walking distance of each other and near the Dubai Museum. It's a pleasant walk around a historical and scenic part of Dubai amongst the Wind Towers.

2. Al Quoz Industrial Area to visit B21 Gallery, The Courtyard (gallery, cafe and shops - and the spectacular "Petals"), The Third Line - all within walking distance of each other, and Meem Gallery a short, complicated, drive away. B21, TTL, and Meem are all similar in that they have a large single warehouse style room with periodic exhibitions. Al Quoz really is an industrial area so don't be put off when first venturing in to its cement dusted depths. It's not quite the Louvre (although Dubai may yet build one of those) but persevere, and you'll find these refreshing artistic oases in the desert.

Art Galleries and Shops in Dubai/UAE
  • 4 Walls Art Gallery [gallery] www.4walls-dubai.com - art gallery in Al Quoz displaying Middle East and international modern art. Behind Gargash Motors, see location map, tel +971-4-3388892, email info@4walls-dubai.com. Opened 2007?
  • ArtSpace Dubai (Art Space Dubai) [gallery] www.artspace-dubai.com - 9th Floor, Fairmont Hotel, tel +971-4-3325523, Sheikh Zayed Road, email info@artspace-dubai.com. Open 1000-1400 & 1500-2100 Saturday to Thursday during Ramadan. Promotes art from national and international contemporary artists. Intend to offer exhibitions every 3 weeks.
  • Ayyam Gallery [gallery], www.ayyamgallery.com, Al Quoz near the other art galleries in Al Quoz. Syrian art. Dubai opening 10am Sat 31 May 2008 (with live artists flown in from around the world), tel +971-50-5785782 / 1155358. There's a gallery also in Damascus, Syria.
  • B21 Progressive Art Gallery [gallery] - opposite Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3, +971-4-3403965, b21gallery@yahoo.com, no website.
  • Bagash Art Gallery, www.bagashartgallery.com - tel +971-4-3515311. Opened in early 2006 to showcase southeast Asian Art.
  • Basta Art Cafe [cafe] - Bastikiya, tel +971-4-3626100 (or +971-4-3535071?), a few trinkets for sale. Another delightful restored building with large shaded outdoor area to drink your tea. Open Sat-Thu 1000-2200.
  • Christie's Dubai (well-known international art auctioneers) sales office [art auctions] - office 7, 1st floor, building 2, Emaar Business Park, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 48800, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, tel +971-4-3615323, fax +971-4-3615324, open Sunday-Thursday, 1000-1800. Managing Director - Michael Jeha. Opened office in April 2005 so all the rich people in Dubai could give them their surplus cash.
  • Creative Arab - see Meem Art Gallery information.
  • Design People [shop] - Mazaya Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road web www.designpeopledubai.com, furniture shop with paintings by Imad Bechara (Lebanon). Clever looking website.
  • Eye Gallery [gallery], Bastakia, small pleasant gallery with avant-garde exhibitions from resident artists in Dubai , especially Iranian art. Open 0900-2000 (1000-1900 during Ramadan). Tel +971-4-3534833, email eye_g@eim.ae, no website.
  • Five Green [shop], www.fivegreen.com - behind Aroma Garden Cafe, Oud Metha Road, Bur Dubai, tel +971-4-3364100. Art, music, clothes and magazines for modern urban living.
  • Four Seasons Ramesh Gallery [shop] - Bastakia tel +971-4-3536881, fax +971-4-3536177, www.fourseasonsgallery.com (under construction Oct 2006). A commercial establishment selling a wide range of teapots, old photos and other vaguely arty looking objects, but not many paintings. Branches also in Mall of the Emirates, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and Heritage Village.
  • Gallery 1 [shop] - Souk Madinat in Jumeirah and Mall of the Emirates. Same place as Middle East Arts in Souk / Souq Madinat. Sells photographs you can't make yourself but wish you could. Web www.g-1.com.
  • Gallery 76 [gallery] - in DIAC, tel +971-4-3444398, opened January 2005. Opening hours Sat-Wed 0900-1700, Thu 0900-1600. Showcasing contemporary art from national and international artists.
  • Godolphin Gallery [showcase] - Nadd / Nad Al Sheba racetrack. It's not art in the normal sense of the word but worth a visit to see the impressive collection of trophies won by horses from Godolphin Stables (that belong to the Maktoum family - Dubai's ruling family). Open daily 0900-1700 and closes 2000 on race nights (mornings only during Ramadan?), web www.godolphin.com/gallery.asp.
  • Green Art Gallery [gallery], www.gagallery.com - near Dubai Zoo between Jumeira Beach Road and Al Wasl Road, villa 23, street 51, Jumeirah, tel +971-4-3449888, fax +3447449, PO Box 25711, Dubai, UAE, email greenart@emirates.net.ae, www.gagallery.com. Open Sat-Thu 0930-1330 & 1630-2030. During Ramadan, hours are 0930-1500. Middle Eastern art and collectibles.
  • Majlis Gallery [gallery & small shop], www.majlisgallery.com - near Dubai Museum, Al Fahidi roundabout, Bastikia (Bastakiya), Bur Dubai, tel +971-4-3536233. Well known as it's been open for years (since 1970). Pleasant courtyard to sit in and drink your bottle of water after walking around.
  • Meem Gallery [gallery], www.creativearab.com - Al Quoz, easy to find if you know how, in warehouse #1 between Marina Furniture and Max Garage on Umm Suqeim Rd (the one that goes from Al Khail Rd to the Burj Al Arab). Difficult if coming from the other Al Quoz art galleries. Tel +971-4-3477883, info@creativearab.com, www.creativearab.com. Looks closed if there's no exhibition but if you appear lost, and someone's there, they'll may let you in.
  • Middle East Arts [shop] - in Souk Madinat in Jumeirah - Umm Suqeim/Um Suqqeim. Tel +971-4-3686057, web www.middleeastarts.com. Same place as Gallery 1.
  • Miraj Islamic Art Centre - Jumeirah Beach road, Jumeirah 3 (in the old University of Wollongong building), tel +971-4-3941084 or +971-4-3941094.
  • Mondo Arte [gallery] - The Galleria, second floor, Mall of the Emirates, tel +971-4-3413001. An eclectic collection of paintings from local and international artists.
  • Original and Unique Art Gallery [gallery?] - Al Wasl Road, tel +971-4-3948808, email info@onuart.com, web www.onuart.com. Established in March 1999 for exhibiting European and North American art. Art Institute added February 2005. Open 1000-2100 daily (maybe not Fri mornings though).
  • Ostra Gallery [gallery] - Al Fahidi roundabout, Bastakia, Bur Dubai, tel + 971-4-3539441, email ostra@emirates.net.ae, no website. Small gallery opened in Sep 2004, displays Arabic paintings and calligraphy.
  • Petals [shop] - a trinket shop in The Courtyard which doesn't sound like much but really is worth a visit if you're in The Courtyard, just to see what an astounding array of household goods it is possible to buy - Edwardian, Victorian, Baroque, Younameit, etc. This is not an understatement. Tel +971-4-3473003, email petals@emirates.net.ae.
  • Picasso Gallery [shop] - Satwa, near the Iranian Hospital, tel +971-4-3450996, email picassogallery@hotmail.com. Picture framing shop but they sell a few pictures and large clay pots.
  • Sahary Gate [tour operator] - walk in through what appears to be a garage door into a welcoming restored courtyard with tourist office, gallery, resident calligrapher, conference room and coffee shop. During Ramadan they have an Iftar Buffet on the roof with a cultural presentation for 180 dhs per person. They also do seminars on UAE culture, tours of the UAE, and language courses. Bastakia House No 14, tel +971-4-3535660, fax +971-4-3539747, www.saharygate.com, PO Box 44911, Dubai, UAE.
  • Sharjah Art Museum, www.sdci.gov.ae - Bait Al Serkal, Al Shuwaiheyn area, Sharjah, near the Old Souk/Bazaar in the Arts Area of Sharjah. Tel +971-6-5688222, basement parking available. Admission free, open 0900-1300 & 1700-2000 except Mon (closed) & Fri (1700-2000 only). Wed afternoon for ladies only (young children ok). Check hours on public holidays. Ramadhan hours mornings only. Permanent collection belongs to the Ruler of Sharjah - Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi. Regular exhibitions, lectures, workshops etc. Established in 1995, moved to new building in 1997. Visit it to realise Sharjah is not just about dodgy car parts and strict dress codes. Dubai has nothing like this. At least, not yet.
  • The Courtyard [gallery and shops], www.courtyard-uae.com - near Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3, tel +971-4-3475050. A collection of art galleries (well, one), artists, exhibitions, art supplies, furniture, and a cafe/coffee shop. Pleasant place to visit. Don't leave without having a look in "Petals".
  • The Red Gallery [gallery], www.theredgallery.net - Villa 833b, Al Wasl Rd (Iranian Hospital Road), after Umm Suqeim Spinneys heading in Jebel Ali direction. Tel +971-4-3955811, fax +971-4-395-5812, email theredgallery@eim.ae. Gallery specialising in contemporary Asian fine art. Opened late 2006 / early 2007?
  • The Third Line [gallery], www.thethirdline.com - between The Courtyard and Spinneys warehouse, sign is a bit obscure, Al Quoz 3, tel +971-4-3411367, www.thethirdline.com. They've done a good job of turning a warehouse into a gallery.
  • Total Arts [gallery] - The Courtyard, near Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3, tel +971-4-3475050. Opened 1996, specialising in Middle East influenced art and artists. Owner Dariush Zandi.
  • Total Design [studio] - The Courtyard, near Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3, tel +971-4-3475050. Photographic studio also owned by Dariush Zandi.
  • XVA [gallery], www.xvagallery.com - behind the Majlis Gallery, near Dubai Museum, Bastakia, Bur Dubai, tel +971-4-3535383, email xva@xvagallery.com. Cafe and guesthouse accommodation in a restored building, rooms are 700-800 dhs per night. Gallery open 0900-2100 Sat-Thu. Movie nights in splendid courtyard retaurant on Wed nights from 8 pm when temperature is cool enough (approx Nov-Mar), sometimes the director or producer will be there to talk about the movie. H2O dhow cruise also part of their offerings.
Art Exhibitions, Fairs and Auctions
  • See the www.artinthecity.com website for a calendar of upcoming art related events.
  • Sharjah International Art Biennial - www.sharjahbiennial.org, tel +9716-5685050 - a large and popular international contemporary art event held, as you might guess, every two years in the Sharjah Expo Centre. First event was in 1993.
    • 2009 (16 March - 16 May)
    • 2007 (03 April - 03 June)
    • 2005 (06 April - 06 June) Sharjah Art Biennial had displays of 70 artists from 36 different countries.
  • Gulf Art Fair, www.gulfartfair.com - from 08-10 March 2007 at Madinat Jumeirah Arena, an unfortunate looking domain name but nothing to do with birds and bad wind.
  • Christie's Jewellery and watches auction - 8pm, 31 January 2007 at Emirates Towers Hotel, tel +971-4-3615323.
  • Christie's International modern and contemporary art sale - 8pm, 01 February 2007 at Emirates Towers Hotel, tel +971-4-3615323. A previous auction in May 2006 recorded AED 31 million in sales.
Some previous events
  • 2006 November 06-23 - Saud Al Attar at Green Art Gallery.
  • 2006 October 21, starts 2130 - The Royal Academicians art display (Art Management Corporation) at the Park Hyatt Creek, tel +971-4-3913567 or +971-4-3913560, email rania.h@rawajinternational.com. The RAs are all members of the Royal Academy of Arts in Britain. Further exhibitions in Dubai are planned. Oct 21 for the general public, Oct 19 and 20 displays are by invitation only.
  • 2006 October 16-29 - A Man for All Seasons - Abdul Latif Al Smoudi at the Majlis Gallery.
  • 2006 October 12-24 - Iraqi art collection from Anan Burhan Elbin Sulaiman in the Crowne Plaza (SZR) lobby.
  • 2006 September 20 - October 17 - Mounia Dadi at ArtSpace Dubai.
  • Contact us to add your upcoming art event.
Art Societies, Clubs, Councils and Groups in Dubai and the UAE
  • Al Owais Cultural Foundation
  • ARTE, Artisans of the UAE - www.arte.ae - an arts and crafts group.
  • Cultural and Scientific Association
  • Design People Dubai - www.designpeopledubai.com - interesting website. Different.
  • Dubai Arts & Crafts group - groups.msn.com/dubaiartscrafts
  • DUCTAC - Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, www.ductac.org, non profit art and theatre center at Mall of the Emirates on the 2nd floor, at the Ski Dubai end. Has a pottery studio, dance and arts classes, an art gallery, The Centre for Musical Arts, The Art Materials Shop, The Old Library, The Manu Chhabria Arts Center (not Chabria). Tel +971-4-3414777 (general), fax +971-4-3414443 (arts center), fax +971-4-3414445 (theatre), email artsreception@ductac.org.
  • Dubai Cultural City - a several billion dhs development announced early in 2006 which will include the first Klingon-designed Opera House in the world.
  • Dubai Cultural Council (DCC) - web www.dubaiculturalcouncil.ae (needs updating - all events and shows listed have already happened). Established 12 January 2004 to facilitate development of Dubai as a cultural hub in the Middle East.
  • Dubai International Art Centre (DIAC) www.artdubai.com - villa No 27, street 75b, near Town Centre, Jumeirah Beach Road, tel +971-4-3444398. Well-established center for art supplies, courses. Since January 2005, Gallery 76 has art displays and art exhibitions.
  • Emirates Fine Arts Society (EFAS) - based in Sharjah with offices also in Abu Dhabi, Khorfakkan, and Ras Al Khaimah. Main tel +971-6-5354488, email artsuae@emirates.net.ae, web www.artsuae.org.ae (may not be correct - dated 2000 but cannot find more up to date version). Promotes art appreciation and education with courses, lectures, seminars, and workshops for calligraphy, ceramics, graphic art, painting, photography, and sculpture. Occasionally publishes in fine arts related magazines and periodicals. Established in 1980. Member of the Arab Art Association and the International Art Association (Arab) in Paris.
  • Juma Al Majid Heritage and Cultural Center
  • Sharjah Arts Society - same as the Emirates Arts Society.
  • The Jam Jar, www.jamjardubai.com - a company that organises art related activities, for individual or corporate clients. They have a DIY art studio (with art supplies, coffee and music) and art gallery. They'll even come to you for an event. Tel +971-4-3417303, email gallery@thejamjar.com, location is street 17a in Al Quoz, behind the Modern Bakery and Dubai Garden Center near Mall of the Emirates (exit 39 on Sheikh Zayed Road). Open hours Monday to Thursday 10am - 9pm, Friday 2pm - 9pm, closed Sundays.
This information last updated Wednesday 28-May-2008
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