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Once a place where sea, desert, and palm groves coexisted in rare harmony, Tunisia’s Gabès Oasis stands today as one of the world’s most fragile cultural-environmental sites. At its heart is artist Mohamed Amine Hamouda, whose ecological practice offers a form of resistance—one built on memory, materials, and a return to ancestral knowledge.
Set along the quiet coastline of Kalba, Of Land and Water unfolds as more than an exhibition—it becomes a meditation on everything that moves, settles, erodes, and transforms. Drawing from the Sharjah Art Foundation Collection, the show assembles large-scale works that explore how land and sea shape identity, memory, and the fragile geographies we call home.
n November 2025, Ab-Anbar Gallery in London hosted A Cosmogram of Holy Views, a powerful exhibition by Palestinian artist and architect Dima Srouji. The show resurfaced suppressed histories, reconfigured inherited mythologies, and reclaimed the sacred through material memory and craft.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has marked a pivotal moment in its design journey. As the eighth and final edition of its flagship event Tanween came to a close, Ithra announced a bold transformation: beginning in 2026, the annual gathering will relaunch under a new identity — Ithra Design Week.
As 2025 draws to a close, cities across the Middle East are alive with exhibitions that explore memory, innovation, resilience, and the shifting landscapes of contemporary life. From light-driven installations in Riyadh to meditations on identity in Abu Dhabi, the region’s cultural scene is more dynamic than ever. Here is a curated look at the shows currently shaping conversations across art, culture, and design.
How a Dubai gallery shaped a region — and what its anniversary exhibition reveals about the future.
Iraq’s film industry has long been marked by silence — decades of sanctions, conflict, and censorship left the country’s creative voices struggling to break through.
As the UAE’s cultural capital, Abu Dhabi has spent nearly two decades shaping the region’s creative landscape. This year, Abu Dhabi Art 2025 opened with a sense of both celebration and transition — its final edition before transforming into Frieze Abu Dhabi next year
Cairo is preparing for a landmark moment as Cairo Design Week 2025 approaches — an edition that promises to be its most expressive and ambitious yet. From 20 to 29 November 2025, Egypt’s capital will unfold into a vast, open-air museum where culture, architecture, creativity and innovation come together in a celebration of global design.
As curator of this year’s Beyond Emerging Artists programme at Abu Dhabi Art, Syrian-born, Cambridge-based artist Issam Kourbaj brings a uniquely poetic and deeply reflective perspective to the UAE’s flourishing creative scene.
Each year, millions travel to Giza to stand before the ancient pyramids — three colossal silhouettes that have outlived empires and rewritten the very concept of time.
In the heart of Doha’s creative district, a quiet yet powerful collaboration has emerged — one that bridges continents, generations, and artistic philosophies.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia marks a new milestone in luxury travel with the unveiling of Dream of the Desert, the nation’s first ultra-luxury train.
The seventh edition of Art Cairo will take place from 22–26 January 2026, hosted at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the winners of its first-ever Middle East Awards, spotlighting architectural excellence that blends innovation, sustainability and cultural relevance across the region.
This year, Manar Abu Dhabi ventures beyond its coastal origins and journeys inland to Al Ain, the city of oases, where art, heritage, and light converge in a poetic celebration of place and meaning.
In his compelling new body of work, Syrian painter Elias Izoli turns the familiar imagery of the circus—a world of clowns, tight-rope walkers and trapeze artists—into a searing metaphor for life under the regime of Bashar Al Assad.
For decades, the rise of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on the Giza Plateau has done more than just add a new destination for tourists. It has become a living metaphor for widely-felt ambitions, challenges and transformations in modern Egyp
In a region famous for fast-paced development, soaring skyscrapers and headline-making resorts, travellers are quietly changing how they move, stay and connect. The Middle East is shifting — not just in infrastructure, but in mindset.
In the heart of Beirut, the Sursock Museum opens its doors to a stirring new chapter of Arab cultural heritage with the arrival of the exhibition DIVAS: From Oum Kalthoum to Dalida.
The Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi is set to open on December 3, 2025, offering visitors an immersive experience that engages all five senses
VOLTA Basel 2025 Spotlights MENA Pavilion: A Bold Move Turning Heads and Sparking Debate
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Samir Sayegh’s exhibition “ A journey” at the Saleh Barakat Gallery, where I also had the opportunity to meet Samir and take a brief tour of his remarkable art masterpieces.
Christie’s London Hosts Landmark Arab Art Exhibition
Qatar: Close to My Soul – A Landmark Exhibition Celebrating the Nation’s Artistic Heritage
Banksy’s Iconic Street Art Lands in Dubai for World Art Fair
The Abou Adal Collection: A Legacy of Eastern Christian Icons Finds a Home at the Louvre
Performing Abstraction: Samia Halaby and the Kinetic Painting Group
Boghossian Foundation, 2024 Prize Winners, Lebanon
Samia Osseiran Junblat
Noor Al Suwaidi, Divine Chaos
Totems, Khawla Foundation
Men’s Rings, Yves Gastou, L’ÉCOLE Middle East, Dubai
Contemporary Istanbul
AI, auction, painting
Arab galleries, Art basel, paris 2024
The Louvre Abu Dhabi continues to offer world-class cultural experiences with its latest exhibition, Post-Impressionism: Beyond Appearances. Running until...
In a city known for its rich cultural heritage, its newest art house is opening its doors to the public in Jeddah in honor of a tradition that has spanned generations and continents.
Tesla has started selling a mini version of its Cyberquad quad bike for kids.
A 12th-century candlestick broke the record for an Islamic piece at Sotheby's after it was sold as part of the Art of the Islamic World and India auction this week.
All tickets for the “Kings of the Sun” exhibition in Prague have been sold out until June 6
Developer’s Novel Virus-killing Air Filter Ups Standard for Indoor Air Quality.
A French documentary film revealed that the most expensive painting in the world, "Salvatore Mundi", was not entirely Leonardo da Vinci's work, and it raised the curtain on a diplomatic conflict between France and the Saudi owner of the painting.
The gallery's name takes inspiration from Bahrain being the first Gulf nation to strike oil
KARL LAGERFELD has announced the launch of the Ramadan K/KARL SEVEN mini shoulder bag on April 1, 2021.
The exhibition began its worldwide tour at the Institute of the Arab World in Paris in 2015, moving to the British Museum and then onto Zurich’s Rietberg Museum, which was the last stop in its European journey
In collaboration with rapper Tommy Cash, Adidas has unveiled the longest running sneaker they have ever imagined, taking direct inspiration from Superstar, one of its favorite models.
The lake scenery in winter and spring may look like any other lake in the world, but in the summer it becomes "the most charming place in Canada".
Annie Vartivarian's not-for-profit will be both a pop-up gallery and a digital platform for artists and designers.
A $22,000 tiny home can be unfolded from the box it's delivered in by 2 people in 3 hours and is meant to be moved around
Princess Safia and Lomar launch Khaleeki Chic abaya line, a modern and global abaya for all women.
Studio Roosegaarde has unveiled Grow, a 20,000-square-metre light installation designed to highlight the beauty of agriculture while also improving crop growth.
Here are some highlights from Nabil Anani’s ‘In Pursuit of Utopia,’ at Zawyeh Gallery in Dubai until April 29
Music lovers have yet another reason to visit Nashville as the National Museum of African American Music is preparing to launch in January 2021.
Mysterious monoliths are popping up in the US and Europe, spawning wild theories and puzzling authorities.
The Lebanese painter discusses one of her pieces from a group exhibition being shown online by Mark Hachem Gallery until November 28.
A new short film competition is set to entice and support local filmmakers while challenging them as they write, shoot, and edit their creations in just 48 hours.
BIG and 3D-printed building company ICON have revealed they are working on Project Olympus, which aims to develop robotic construction for the moon.
Now a museum is opening that’s fully entrenched in the digital space, the first of its kind to put the virtual experience front and center.
A library in the city of Haikou, China that is intended "to be a wormhole that transcends time and space".
Belgians are heading to the countryside for vacation this year, and many are discovering the half-tent, half-tree house structures in a forest in Borgloon, Belgium.
Architecture studio APL Design Workshop has built a foyer on a raised platform ringed by trees for an open-air theatre in Kurobe, Japan.
New Mummies Discovered in Egypt May Hold Clues to Finally Finding Cleopatra's Tomb
The ship won’t be stopping anywhere on the way, and passengers will stay on the boat for the entire two-week journey.
One of the most beloved and historical theaters in the world may not reopen after being empty for several months in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The MIZUNO ENERZY Signature Shoe Delivers a High Energy Return
A new resort and casino is coming to Las Vegas, but you might need to leave the kids at home.
The Berlin office of David Chipperfield Architects has built an art gallery and conference hall to complete the Carmen Würth Forum cultural building in Künzelsau, Germany.
Transport design studio PriestmanGoode has developed a concept for a high-performance balloon and pressurised capsule for Space Perspective to take space tourists on a "cruise" around the stratosphere.
Music returned to Barcelona's legendary Gran Teatre del Liceu on Monday with a string quartet playing to an audience made up entirely of house plants.
Those planning future travels to Iceland may be interested in checking out an amazing oceanfront geothermal lagoon that is set to open in the spring of 2021.
Hearing aids and a brassiere for breast cancer sufferers are among the unorthodox jewellery designs shared by Lucerne School of Art and Design students as part of their school show.
Lorem Ipsum is a creative studio that crafts exhibitions and experiential installations, such as an audiovisual recreation of an airstrike, that fully immerse visitors in a story.
Fenwick-Iribarren Architects and Pattern Design have unveiled the Education City Stadium near Doha, which is the third and largest of the venues for the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar to be completed so far.
The UK has introduced mandatory quarantine for anyone arriving into the country, including returning citizens and residents.
While most of the fashion world is still reeling from the likely longterm effects of Covid-19‘s global lockdown, Lebanese couturier Nicolas Jebran is optimistic about a better and brighter future ahead for his beloved industry.
An afternoon spent sipping a coffee or wine on a café terrace is an essential Parisian experience and as lockdown measures are eased across France locals have returned to the terraces to continue the tradition.
Last week, The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) released a brand new, online portal discussing race, racism, and racial identity.
The Berliner Ensemble theater group has removed around 500 of its 700 seats to prepare for reopening in alignment with Germany's social-distancing policies.
Celine is pre-launching a new soft day bag June 5 and it is poised to see lovers of the French house’s accesories fall hard.
Universal Orlando plans to reopen on 5 June at reduced capacity and new health and with strict new safety procedures in place.
Nothing New Sneakers Have a Durable, Eco-Friendly Design
The Couch A Vibe Festival Presents an Online Music Experience
A New York City park took social distancing to the next level this weekend by drawing circles several feet apart for people to sit inside.
The Surf Lakes Wave Pool Generates 2,000 Waves Per Hour
Artist Katherine McMahon transformed a closed diner into an art gallery in Southampton, New York.
A high-rise hotel in Athens has been ordered to demolish its top two floors following complaints the building was obstructing views of the Acropolis.
Suicoke recently teamed up with the popular Danish furniture brand HAY on the bold and colorful new HAY x Suicoke Depa sandal collection.
The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, California, is in full bloom.
European cities including Paris, Berlin and Milan are working to become more bike and pedestrian-friendly after lockdown.
Proenza Schouler and Birkenstock Join Forces on a Set of Footwear
Christian Lewis is taking self-isolation to the next level. He's completely alone on a tiny Scottish island with his dog, Jet.
The Katallis EV.500 Has an Old-Fashioned Aluminum Frame
While museums around the world are shuttered due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Apollo’s usual weekly pick of exhibition openings will be replaced by a selection of digital initiatives providing virtual access to art and culture.
A pack of mischievous rats cause chaos in this installation by graffiti artist Banksy who, like many, is working from home during the coronavirus lockdown.
This picture taken on June 18, 2018 shows tourists taking pictures of a mural at the now derelict ashram visited by the Beatles 50 years ago, in Rishikesh in northern India.
Sports brand Nike has created the Air Max 2090 to demonstrate what it sees as being the future of trainer design.
The tattoo artists of Tattoo Bob in Rotterdam-Katendrecht temporarily focused on embellishing footwear for doctors and nurses, since all tattoo shops are closed until April 28th.
The London Eye, England and buildings along the Qiantang River, China turn blue in support of medical workers.
Christians in the Philippines celebrate Palm Sunday on their laptop.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery/The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent
You can find the adorable best friends at the Pairi Daiza zoo in Brugelette, Belgium, where they often spend their days playing together.
A packed drive-in movie theater in Essen, Germany, on Monday, March 30, 2020. Only two people are allowed per car, tickets are sold online only.
These Hollywood men are putting a modern twist on an old favorite.
Instagram users have decided that lashes and nails simply aren't enough and have begun matching their brows to their brightly colored makeup in just about every way possible.
From March 17, the Manon operas, Don Giovanni and the ballet Swan Lake will be available in free access on the Opera and Culturebox websites.
In a city celebrated as the epicenter of St. Patrick's Day, pubs and restaurants in Dublin were shuttered on the holiday in an effort to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
Tate Modern in London is among the four Tate locations that will be shut from tomorrow due to coronavirus
An epic new indoor waterpark is being constructed in the UK, with plenty of adult-focused features.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, a serene oasis hidden in plain sight within Iceland’s most popular destination.
A variety of face masks were displayed at the Marine Serre show in Paris.
Modern Arab art is having a moment.
Take a look to the best SPAS in Jumeirah.
Houses nearby to a local winery had Lambrusco Grasparossa coming from their taps instead of water.
Danish parents raise happy children who grow up to be happy adults who raise happy children.
Hyundai has revealed its latest Prophecy concept car that has smooth lines and is designed to prompt an emotional response.
A new resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, consists entirely of treehouses.
It's cozy season, so your feet should feel warm and look hot.
Mountains, monasteries and a whole lot of mystery await in Armenia, a must-visit this year
Lucy has survived hurricanes, fires, and developers.
Anthony Vaccarello returns to the bourgeoisie grace of the Nineties for Saint Laurent’s Fall 2020 Paris show.
The trailblazing Lebanese artist whose richly colored abstract paintings and intricate, organically shaped sculptures in wood, clay, aluminum, and other materials.
Is it the breath-taking nature, the colourful spices, the endless details, or the amazing hospitality?
If you've ever wanted to vacation on a Caribbean island with Mickey Mouse and friends, you could soon be in luck
Stars, moons, planets, spaceships, people will be looking out of this world for tattoo inspiration in 2020.
Demyttenaere and Hocke went viral in 2019 after they posted a photo of themselves hanging out of a train.
An exceptional exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci