Art & Design
We champion the creative people, places and spaces across the Gulf.
FeaturedCreative workshops to try across Dubai this October
Looking for creative things to do in Dubai this October? From ceramic workshops and painting sessions to photography classes, here are five workshops to have on your radar this month.
Dubai Design Week 2026 returns for its 12th edition with a focus on connection
Dubai Design Week returns to d3 from 3 - 8 November 2026, exploring how design connects people, places and ideas.
Design Doha Biennale 2026 returns for its second edition, celebrating regional design
Discover Design Doha 2026, with exhibitions, public installations and regional design talent exploring craft, culture and contemporary creativity from 5 November 2026 to 31 January 2027.
Restaurateur Jessica Kassim on bringing the spirit of Portugal to Lana Lusa
Discover how Jessica Kassim brings Portugal to Lana Lusa, where family memories, art, food and design come together to create a warm and inviting Dubai dining experience.
Artist Abdul Vas on his November show, Legacy Trucks
Artist Abdul Vas discusses his latest series, Legacy Trucks, exploring American cars, rock music and popular culture through his distinctive visual language.
Meet the artist turning flowers into fashion: Katerina Shukshina
Katerina Shukshina transforms flowers into fashion, art and contemporary mehndi, creating a whimsical world where nature becomes the ultimate material.
Andaz Dubai The Palm: art and what’s new
Andaz Dubai The Palm has evolved since our last visit, with new creative spaces, The Magic Table dining experience and a speciality coffee bar joining its distinctive Mahmoud Al Abadi art collection.
Alserkal Avenue opens the art season with 19 exhibitions
Discover 19 exhibitions opening across 16 galleries and art spaces at Alserkal Avenue this September, featuring artists from the UAE, the region and beyond.
Put it on a t-shirt
Discover the coolest UAE merchandise collections, from Maiz Tacos and Good Burger to Pickl, Pitfire Pizza, riina and Cinema Akil.
Review: Inside CQ French Brasserie
Explore CQ French Brasserie at Grand Millennium Hotel in Barsha Heights, Dubai, and discover its contemporary take on classic French brasserie design and dining.
Art and design open calls to know this September
Discover September art and design open calls, residencies and creative opportunities across the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Art in the Middle x Fatma Lootah: Emirati Women’s Day Exhibition
Art in the Middle collaborates with Fatma Lootah for an Emirati Women’s Day exhibition at ME Dubai, celebrating art, identity, heritage and femininity.
Sharjah Art Foundation opens applications for affordable artist studios in Sharjah
Sharjah Art Foundation has opened applications for affordable studio spaces at Arts Square, with seven spaces available from AED 800. UAE based artists and creative practitioners can apply until 10 September 2026.
Under the Sun: Craig & Karl bring a playful summer installation to ICD Brookfield Place
Under the Sun by Craig & Karl brings oversized inflatable sculptures and playful summer energy to ICD Brookfield Place in DIFC, Dubai, from August until late September.
UAE open calls to have on your radar this August
Looking for creative opportunities in the UAE? Discover open calls for artists, designers and creatives, from Dubai Design Week and Sikka to Burj Khalifa and World Art Dubai.
Fire Station’s open call for emerging artists
Fire Station has opened applications for AISP 2027, a fully funded nine month programme for emerging artists aged 18 to 35, led by Wael Shawky.
Restaurants that are made for sketching this summer
Discover these indoor Dubai lunch spots with beautiful interiors, creative details and plenty of inspiration for sketching this summer.
Review: Inside Daniel Arsham’s art café at Dubai Mall
Step inside Daniel Arsham’s Daniel’s Room at Dubai Mall, a living gallery where art, design and dining come together through his signature fictional archaeology.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Opens in December 2026
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opens on 11 December 2026. Here’s what to know about Frank Gehry’s new museum of modern and contemporary art on Saadiyat Island.
Artist of the week: Abstract artist Äj
Meet Dubai-based abstract artist Äj, whose vibrant works transform colour, emotion and memories into expressive contemporary art.
6 ways to experience a gallery with confidence
Discover 6 ways to experience a gallery with confidence, from understanding artwork to exploring exhibitions, asking questions, and enjoying art your own way.
Designing for Wellbeing: In Conversation with Derya Aktan
Derya Aktan, founder of Deline Conceptual, explores how interior architecture, neuroscience and wellbeing shape spaces designed to help people live better.
Sylvia Ong on creating paintings that ask us to slow down
Artist Sylvia Ong reflects on her residency at The Arts Club Dubai, exploring how memory, sound and emotion shape her painting practice through her Inscape series.
The best exhibitions to see in Sharjah this summer 2026
Explore Sharjah’s summer 2026 art scene with must-see exhibitions featuring contemporary artists, photography, heritage collections and immersive cultural experiences. From Sharjah Art Foundation’s latest shows to permanent displays exploring the Gulf’s visual history, these exhibitions offer the perfect indoor cultural escape.
Hotel Review: The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Dubai
A design-led review of The Lana Dubai, where contemporary art, curated interiors and refined hospitality redefine waterfront luxury in Business Bay.
Wynn Al Marjan Island launches Punchdrunk theatre project in UAE
Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE partners with Punchdrunk to launch an immersive theatre experience debuting in 2027, marking the company’s first MENA production.
Hotel Review: The Lince Braga is a design-led retreat in the hills of Northern Portugal
The Lince Braga is a 77-room design-led hotel in Northern Portugal, set in the Falperra hills near Braga. It offers a calm escape with spa facilities, an outdoor pool overlooking pine forests and mountains, and access to scenic hiking trails.
The design language of listening
Listening bars inspired by Japanese jazz kissaten are reshaping UAE nightlife, focusing on immersive sound, vinyl culture, lighting, and acoustic-led design in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Cairo Design Week returns for its fourth edition in 2026
Cairo Design Week returns in November 2026 for its fourth edition, transforming Cairo into a city-wide design destination across Zamalek, Downtown Cairo and Heliopolis with exhibitions, talks, workshops and installations.
Saudi Arabia's Diriyah Art Futures centre launches development programme for young artists
A three-week digital art programme in Riyadh for teens exploring new media, creativity, and technology at Diriyah Art Futures.
Exhibition Spotlight: Made in the UAE at JD Malat Gallery
Made in the UAE exhibition at JD Malat Gallery presents seven contemporary artists exploring identity, memory, and materiality in the UAE art scene.
Exhibition Spotlight: Body Quotidian opens at Sharjah Art Foundation
Sharjah Art Foundation’s new exhibition, Body Quotidian, brings together works by Emirati artist Laila Majid and Pakistani visual artist Inaam Zafar. Running until September 20, the exhibition explores the human body through photography, sculpture and painting, offering visitors a thought-provoking artistic experience.
Pavilion of Lebanon opens at La Biennale di Venezia
The Pavilion of Lebanon has opened at the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, presenting Don’t Get Me Wrong, a monumental installation by Lebanese American artist Nabil Nahas. Curated by Dr. Nada Ghandour, the work celebrates Lebanon’s rich cultural identity and will remain on view until November 22.
Exhibition Spotlight: Unfolding by Moza Al Falasi
Emirati multidisciplinary artist Moza Al Falasi presents Unfolding, her first solo exhibition at Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba 1 Gallery. Running from 15 May to 26 June, the exhibition explores memory, inherited grief and the idea of home through photography, painting, sound and fabric, revealing how loss and identity intertwine across generations.
World Art Dubai 2026: Dates, Curators and What to Expect
World Art Dubai returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from November 19 to 22, 2026, with curated exhibitions, PhotoWAD, live art, workshops and mentorship programmes.
Everything we know about Sharjah Biennial 17 in 2027
Sharjah Biennial 17 returns from 21 January to 13 June 2027. Titled What remains, sits restive, the exhibition will bring together 109 local and international artists across venues in Sharjah. Through installations, film and performance, the Biennial explores themes of memory, history and cultural change.
Six UAE exhibitions you can’t miss this June
Looking for the best art exhibitions in the UAE this June? From immersive installations in Abu Dhabi to contemporary African art, large-scale sculptures and emerging local talent in Dubai, these six exhibitions offer some of the most exciting cultural experiences across the Emirates this month.
Dubai artist creates ‘wearable art’ collection inspired by UAE’s spirit of unity
Dubai artist Dina Sami collaborates with New Balance on a wearable art collection inspired by UAE unity, identity and community.
How AlUla is rethinking jewellery through craft and education
AlUla expands its cultural offering with L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, introducing workshops, training and research focused on jewellery craft, heritage and education.
Global Positioning System - Jameel Arts Centre
Global Positioning System at Jameel Arts Centre explores how we navigate space beyond maps through installations, film and research-led works by more than 40 artists across Dubai and Jeddah.
How Nicky Greig curates spaces inspired by African craftsmanship and design
Nicky Greig shares the inspiration behind Collective Africa and how craftsmanship, art and storytelling shape its layered interiors.
Daniel Chakmin on designing Sobremesa as a space for connection
Inside Souk Al Bahar, Sobremesa by Daniel Chakmin is shaped by desert influences, material precision and a focus on shared dining. The space is designed around atmosphere rather than statement, where food, design and experience meet.
From Art Dubai to Al Quoz: What to see at Dom Art Projects this season
Explore Dom Art Projects in Al Quoz this season, with exhibitions, digital art, and residencies launching alongside Art Dubai 2026.
The City in Its Details: The Past and Future in Dubai’s Architecture
A photography exhibition in Dubai explores the city’s architectural past and future through layered urban details captured across historic neighbourhoods.
Alserkal Art Month brings a bold new chapter to Dubai’s cultural scene
Alserkal Art Month launches in Dubai with exhibitions, talks and public art
SALAM Exhibition at Tashkeel Dubai
Our Exhibition Spotlight is SALAM at Tashkeel Dubai, running until 13 April 2026. Discover contemporary Arabic calligraphy by Wael Morcos, Ali Aziz Hassanein, and Abdelrahman Shaheen. Visit Nad Al Sheba 1 gallery, then enjoy the SALAM-inspired Salam Cake at Gerbou next door, AED 75, with almond sponge, cardamom date paste, baklava, pistachio, and saffron cream.
Alserkal Avenue launches Blank Space for UAE creative collectives
Alserkal Avenue launches Blank Space, a residency for UAE creative collectives to experiment, collaborate and showcase work.
Interview: Dina Saadi on Her DKNY Ramadan Collection
Dubai-based artist Dina Saadi discusses her DKNY Ramadan collection, blending murals, nature, and wearable art.
Meet Maryam Al Falasi, one of the UAE’s youngest art patrons
At just 26, Maryam Al Falasi is reshaping the UAE art scene as founder of Iris Projects. Based in Abu Dhabi, her gallery champions emerging GCC artists through mentorship, representation and community-led collecting.
An intimate ladies’ majlis at The Arts Club Dubai
An intimate women-only majlis at The Arts Club Dubai, celebrating female artists, design and cultural dialogue during Ramadan.
Soul Kitchen: The artful soul of Business Bay
Tucked away in Business Bay, Soul Kitchen is a rare cultural destination where Latin American and Levantine flavours meet contemporary art, design, and stories of migration.
Your guide to the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2026
Explore Diriyah Biennale 2026 in Saudi Arabia: over 70 artists, performances, installations, and public programmes at JAX District near Riyadh.
Etika Jewels Turns Up the Volume with UNAPOLOGETIC
Etika Jewels introduces UNAPOLOGETIC, a bold new collection of 18K gold statement rings set with vivid Fancy colored lab grown diamonds, designed for women who embrace power, presence, and fearless self expression.
Your guide to the AlUla Arts Festival 2026
Your guide to the 2026 AlUla Arts Festival: explore groundbreaking exhibitions, performances, and engaging art experiences across Saudi Arabia’s stunning desert landscapes.
The ultimate guide to the Gulf’s best art fairs
A guide to the top art fairs in the Gulf region to watch in 2026, from major international events to emerging festivals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2026: A Journey Through "Civilizations"
Discover the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2026, featuring 106 artists from 49 nationalities across exhibitions, performances, workshops, films, heritage tours, and culinary experiences in the historic Al Jazeera Al Hamra village.
Aïda Muluneh at Efie Gallery: This Bloom I Borrow
This week’s Art in the Middle Exhibition Spotlight features Ethiopian artist Aïda Muluneh at Efie Gallery, Alserkal Avenue (17 January – 5 April 2026), presenting over ten previously unseen works from her latest photographic series, shot in her Abidjan studio and hand-finished in Dubai, where photography, painting, and performance converge to explore identity, womanhood, and heritage through bold colour and symbolism.
The power of one line: How Hind Khlaifat is redefining Bedouin art
Jordanian artist Hind Khlaifat has become a defining cultural voice in the Middle East through her powerful one-line drawings. From Petra to Abu Dhabi, her work blends heritage, identity, and emotion into a universal visual language.
Inside Art Basel Qatar’s inaugural edition
Art Basel Qatar makes its highly anticipated debut in Doha in February 2026, bringing together 87 galleries from 31 countries. With a strong focus on the MENASA region, the inaugural edition features ambitious gallery presentations alongside the largest public art programme ever staged by Art Basel. Curated by Wael Shawky, the fair positions Doha as a major global art destination.
Werner Bronkhorst Presents “CRACK”, an exhibition in Dubai's Alserkal Avenue
South African-born, Sydney-based artist Werner Bronkhorst presents CRACK, his eighth collection, making its global premiere at Concrete, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. Spanning four immersive rooms, the exhibition explores landscapes under pressure through sculptural textures and miniature figures. From clay courts to deserts and salt flats, CRACK captures tension, memory, and movement, marking a defining moment in Bronkhorst’s practice.
Stylish coffee table books to gift
Discover beautifully designed coffee table books from the Tashas Group—perfect gifts for anyone who loves design, culinary creativity, and thoughtful style at home.
Festive florals to instantly warm up your home this christmas
Get your home Christmas-ready with festive floral décor, including natural wreaths and winter arrangements made with seasonal greenery and foliage.
Your guide to Abu Dhabi Art 2025
Abu Dhabi Art 2025 returns to Manarat Al Saadiyat, uniting global and local creatives in the heart of Saadiyat Cultural District.
Your guide to Cairo Design Week 2025
Cairo Design Week 2025 returns from 20–29 November, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of design, culture, and innovation. Expect immersive installations, live activations, global talent, and the debut of the CDW Universities Initiative, all culminating in the 7th Cairo Design Awards. Open to all, this is design for everyone.
Nasser Almulhim brings abstraction to life at ICD Brookfield Place
ICD Brookfield Place unveils High Spirits, a dynamic installation by Saudi artist Nasser Almulhim. Transforming DIFC’s Summer Garden, the work brings Almulhim’s abstract vision into 3D form through sculptural elements and vivid canvases in cobalt, ochre, and coral. Curated by Malak Abu Qaoud, this free exhibition invites visitors to explore colour, rhythm, and emotion in a space designed for reflection and joy.
L’ÉCOLE Middle East debuts 'Poetry of Birds' during Dubai Design Week 2025
Opening on 6 November during Dubai Design Week, L’ÉCOLE Middle East presents Poetry of Birds, a captivating exhibition celebrating the symbolism of birds in art, poetry and jewellery. Featuring masterpieces from Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, and more, alongside Islamic artworks and Emirati photography, it offers a poetic dialogue between cultures and eras. Running until 25 April 2026 at Dubai Design District (d3), Poetry of Birds invites visitors to explore creativity, craftsmanship and heritage. Admission is free with registration at lecolevancleefarpels.com.
Ammar Al Attar's exhibition: 'Silent Residues' at Iris Projects Abu Dhabi
Iris Projects presents Silent Residues, a solo exhibition by Emirati artist Ammar Al Attar. On view until 26 November 2025, the show explores overlooked spaces and industrial debris, transforming discarded objects into vessels of memory. Curated by Nasser Abdullah, this immersive exhibition reflects on impermanence, routine, and the ways we adapt to a changing world.
Whispers of Memory by Marwa Hashim Takes Over COYA Dubai
COYA Dubai unveils Whispers of Memory, a new immersive exhibition by Emirati artist Marwa Hashim, opening October 15 in the heart of the restaurant.
Your complete guide to Dubai Design Week 2025
Discover everything you need to know about Dubai Design Week 2025 - dates, designers to watch, key events, and where it’s happening.
Exclusive Interview: Youness Siraj Mounir’s bold new Artist Residency at 25hours Hotel One Central
Moroccan-born artist Yun Kusanagi debuts 4019 – Traces, a bold abstract collection created during his artist residency at 25hours Hotel One Central. Inspired by the hotel's rhythm and Dubai’s cultural energy, the series transforms everyday moments into expressive, layered canvases. Catch the exhibition in the hotel lobby from this month.
Interior designer Saminah Mahmood on creating spaces that feel like home
Interior designer Saminah Mahmood shares her journey from teaching to transforming homes in the UAE, with expert tips and inspiration.
Exhibition by Dubai’s Educator-Artists at Media One Hotel
Located in the heart of Media City, the lobby of Media One Hotel is currently hosting a free and accessible art exhibition in collaboration with the Dubai Art Teachers Network. Open to the public until Wednesday 2 July, the gallery brings together a group of artists who also work as educators across Dubai, offering a rare glimpse into their personal creative practices outside the classroom. The exhibition is curated by Lilian Mackey and Alex Bolshakova, both working artists and experienced art educators. Their aim is simple: to give teacher-artists a platform to share their work with the wider community, and to show that creativity continues well beyond the school setting.
Artist Goloba Charles paints a new life in Dubai
Since moving to Dubai in 2018, Charles has steadily built a name for himself through his vibrant, memory-filled works that reflect the landscapes, flowers, and spirit of his childhood in Uganda. With a deep passion for painting and a drive to grow creatively, he has found a unique space where art and fine dining meet.
Brighten up your bedroom with NEXT's spring meadow duvet set
Spring signals a fresh start, and your bedroom is the perfect place to begin. This month’s editor’s pick is NEXT’s white spring meadow duvet cover and pillow set, which brings a gentle wash of pastel blooms to the room, striking that effortless balance between fresh and timeless.
H&M HOME goes coastal for summer 2025
The dining table has always been a place for good conversation and slow summer evenings. For the season ahead, H&M HOME leans into relaxed living with a collection that brings together breezy sky blues, crisp whites, earthy browns, and soft sandy tones. The Summer 2025 edit captures the ease of the warmer months, offering a fresh take on casual, coastal-inspired interiors.
FUTURA on street art, his Les Benjamins collab, and Abu Dhabi's creative energy.
Leonard Hilton McGurr, better known as FUTURA is a name that needs little introduction in the world of graffiti and contemporary art. Emerging from the streets of 1970s New York, he was one of the first artists to push graffiti beyond lettering and into abstraction—blurring the lines between street and gallery.
Your guide to Art Week Riyadh 2025
JAX District is welcoming both visitors and residents to Art Week Riyadh 2025, scheduled from 6 to 13 April. An initiative of the Ministry of Culture’s Visual Arts Commission, this inaugural edition themed At The Edge, promises to be more than just an art exhibition. It will shine a spotlight on the region's rapidly growing art scene, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s vibrant history, its evolving contemporary practices, and its ambitious future in the art world.
Inside Blumi Home: Founder Nomi Talks Culture and the Creative Journey Behind Her Boutique
Nomi, the founder of Blumi, takes us through the journey of her African-inspired boutique in the vibrant Goshi Warehouse Village in Al Quoz 3, Dubai. What began as a space to showcase African craftsmanship has evolved into a dynamic hub for décor, culture, and community.
Inside Takhayyal: eL Seed Talks Imagination, Calligraphy, and Dubai’s Art Scene
An open-air museum on the streets of Dubai? That’s exactly what Dubai Culture and Tashkeel have brought to life with Takhayyal, a striking new public art installation by renowned French-Tunisian calligraphy artist eL Seed.
15 Minutes with Sara Serpilli: Art meets hospitality at Hotel Indigo Downtown Dubai
Blending art management with hospitality is a rare role in the hotel industry, but for Sara Serpilli, it’s a passion she has turned into a career. With extensive experience in contemporary art galleries and auction houses, she has carved out a unique niche — curating exhibitions that enhance the guest experience at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown.
A design lover’s guide to Dubai’s most beautiful restaurants
For those looking for a restaurant that is not only delicious, but beautiful too, these spots deliver on both. Dubai isn’t short on places to eat, but these stand out for their thoughtful design, statement décor, and art-filled spaces that make you want to stay all night (while taking mental notes for your dream home).
The Doha Fire Station Gallery Guide
The complete guide to Doha Fire Station gallery, including ticketing information and the exhibits in February and March.
A guide to AlUla Arts Festival 2025
Known for its dramatic desert, the Elephant Rock, the historical old town area and so much more, AlUla Saudi Arabia is the ultimate dream backdrop canvas for the AlUla Arts Festival and art lovers from around the world. Located in the extraordinary desert landscape of north-west Saudi Arabia, the festival, in its fourth edition, has solidified AlUla as a must-visit destination on the global arts calendar. It has transformed the region into a vibrant hub of performances, visual exhibitions, music, and film. As AlUla Arts Festival draws to a close, you can still catch these exhibitions before 19 April.
A Guide to Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival 2025
The final week of the 13th edition of Ras Al Khaimah Art is here, set against the striking backdrop of Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village - a beautifully preserved site that provides the perfect setting for this year’s theme: Memory.