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The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) has revealed the five shortlisted artists for the 7th edition of the Ithra Art Prize, reaffirming its position as one of the most influential platforms for contemporary art in the Arab world.
Over the past two decades, Art Dubai has grown into one of the most influential cultural platforms in the Middle East, offering a space where regional artistic practices meet global conversations. More than an art fair, Art Dubai functions as a curatorial ecosystem—one that reflects shifting artistic, political, and technological realities across the Global South and beyond.
As the Middle East continues to assert itself as a vital force within the global contemporary art landscape, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year. Across Saudi Arabia in particular, large-scale exhibitions are rethinking how art engages with land, history, and movement—placing the region at the centre of new curatorial and artistic conversations.
The contemporary art landscape of the Middle East is undergoing a profound transformation. New institutions, biennales, and cultural initiatives are reshaping how art is produced, exhibited, and understood across the region. Within this dynamic context, the Ithra Art Prize has established itself as one of the most significant platforms dedicated to supporting artists from the Arab world, not only through recognition, but through sustained engagement with artistic practice.
Egypt has long occupied a central place in the global imagination. For decades, it has been photographed through the lens of monumentality—pyramids, temples, deserts, and symbols frozen in time. Yet a new generation of Egyptian photographers is quietly reshaping how the country is seen, moving away from spectacle and toward lived experience.
Art Basel Qatar is set to make its highly anticipated debut from 5 to 7 February 2026, marking a significant milestone in the global art calendar and the cultural evolution of Qatar. Held in collaboration with Qatar Sports Investment (QSI) and QC+, the inaugural edition will take place across Msheireb Downtown Doha, positioning the city as a major hub for contemporary artistic dialogue.
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.
Qatar: Close to My Soul – A Landmark Exhibition Celebrating the Nation’s Artistic Heritage
Noor Al Suwaidi, Divine Chaos
Contemporary Istanbul
Arab galleries, Art basel, paris 2024
Lebanese artist Omar Mismar made a splash at the Venice Biennale with a series of political mosaics inspired by ancient works, some of which comment on the regime of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.
Christie's Pulled two art pieces by Ayman Baalbaki from its upcoming auction
The fair is staging a physical and virtual edition at Christie’s Paris this week