The 18th edition of Art Dubai returns to Madinat Jumeirah from April 18–20, 2025, bringing together top contemporary, modern, and digital art from the region and beyond. Since the early 2000s, the UAE has become a major force in contemporary art, with Dubai at its centre. The city’s vibrant gallery scene, leading institutions like Jameel Arts Centre and Alserkal Avenue, and major events such as the Sharjah Biennial and Louvre Abu Dhabi have cemented its global influence. As Dubai’s art market matures, Art Dubai promises an increase in the representation of local Emirati artists and Dubai-based galleries, reflecting the growing prominence of the city as a creative hub.

Here are eight must-see highlights:

1. Hazem Harb: Not There, Yet Felt at Tabari Artspace, DIFC, 12 April - 27 May 2025

Hazem Harb’s latest work offers a poignant reflection on memory, home, and displacement, shaped by his connection to Gaza. Through collages that reassemble displaced bodies within their lost spaces, abstract figures seem to emerge, evoking a sense of presence and absence.

2. Maryam Hoseini at Green Art Gallery, 15 April – 24 May 2025

This solo show by the Iran-born, New York-based artist weaves Persian tradition with contemporary art, offering fresh perspectives on identity and heritage. Blending mythology with modern themes, their intricate yet bold works examine identity, gender, and space.

3. Huda Lutfi: Unravelling at The Third Line, 15 April - 17th May 2025

Egyptian artist Huda Lutfi showcases works from three recent series alongside previously unseen collages and a new video piece. Through introspective explorations of memory, identity, and healing, Lutfi’s practice blends history, materiality, and personal narratives, offering a deeply reflective body of work.

4. World Art Dubai 2025, 17 - 20 April, 2025

Explore the world’s largest fair for emerging artists—a must-visit for collectors and art enthusiasts seeking the next big name. Open to collectors, investors, and the public, the fair features works from 400+ renowned galleries and solo artists, representing over 60 countries.

5. Existence-Emitting Movements: Héctor Zamora, Art Dubai in collaboration with Alserkal Avenue, 18 - 20 April 2025

Mexican artist Héctor Zamora will unveil new performances and sculptural works at Art Dubai 2025, featuring group actions with terracotta objects that explore symbolism through clay vessels.

6. I Am Soil. My Tears Are Water, Efie Gallery at Alserkal Avenue, 14 April - 24 May 2025

Efie Gallery will inaugurate a new two-story, 4,400 sq. ft. space in Alserkal Avenue with a monumental solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed Cuban artist María Magdalena Campos-Pons, marking her debut in the Middle East.

7. Shilpa Gupta: Lines of Flight at Ishara, 18 January - 31 May 2025

Featuring works from 2006 to today, including a new sound installation, site-specific interventions, sculptures, drawings, prints, and videos, the exhibition highlights Gupta’s ongoing exploration of mobility, control, and resilience.

8. Vanishing Points: Imran Qureshi at Concrete, 13 April - 20 April 2025

Experience contemporary South Asian cityscapes through the keen eye of Imran Qureshi in this major exhibition curated by Nada Raza, featuring new works in photography, video, painting, and a site-specific installation.