The ninth edition of the art fair and exhibition will feature its most diverse offering yet of local and global talents, claim organisers

This year’s edition of Abu Dhabi Art, the capital’s art fair and exhibition, will feature pieces by UAE and GCC talents displayed alongside works by international artists. Once again, it’s set to take place at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island and will run November 8 to 11.

So what’s in store for art fans? Just like previous years, the art fair has been split into several sections including Beyond, which will feature large sculptures and installations that will be exhibited all across the city of Abu Dhabi. This year it’s being expanded to include Beyond: Emerging Artists, where three UAE-based talents will be selected to create pieces for the exhibition at Abu Dhabi Art – their creations will be displayed for an extra two months once the fair has concluded.

Durub Al Tawaya, meanwhile, will return for a fifth year and will once again feature contemporary art performances. Street Art, which made its debut last year at Abu Dhabi Art, is also back and will see local and international street artists create new pieces in the capital’s urban areas.

Talents set to exhibit include Saudi contemporary artist Manal Al-Dowayan (above), famous for her large-scale art installations, black and white photography and sculptures. Then there’s Cairo-based Magdi Mostafa (below), known for his projects and installations using sound.

Also exhibiting are Saudi calligrapher Nasser Al-Salem and Emirati sculptor Shaikha Al-Mazrou.

There’s several high profile curators including Frenchman Fabrice Bousteau, who returns to Abu Dhabi Art for a ninth year. He’s the Editorial Director and Editor In Chief of highbrow French publication Beaux Arts Magazine, France’s monthly visual arts title. Another curator is Maya Allison – she’s the chief curator at NYU Abu Dhabi. Other curators include Mohammed Kazem and Cristiana de Marchi. Karem is an Emirati artist who has been exhibiting in the UAE since 1986 and was a member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society early in his career (he’s exhibited in Tokyo, New York and Brussels in recent years). Italian/Lebanese artist de Marchi most recently worked on Art Dubai.

Also set to curate parts of the show are Guggenheim Abu Dhabi curator and programmes officer Munira Al-Sayegh and Dr Omar Kholeif (below) – the Cairo born writer and curator was named one of the art world’s top 100 most powerful people three years in a row by the respected London art website Artlyst.

“Abu Dhabi Art is a cornerstone in the mission and vision of TCA Abu Dhabi to create a vibrant and sustainable cultural ecosystem in the capital,” says Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority. “Each year we see the finest creative minds in the region gathered together on Saadiyat Island to offer visitors fascinating and inspiring experiences. This year will be no different as we see the Abu Dhabi Art programme expand into a more diverse offering than ever before.”

Visit abudhabiart.ae for more info on Abu Dhabi Art 2017