Abu Dhabi Art Fair Opens its Doors this Week, One of the Most Important Artistic Encounters in the MENA Region
This week, the Abu Dhabi Art Fair opens its doors, marking one of the most significant artistic events in the MENA region. On this occasion, we had the opportunity to interview Dyala Nousseibeh, the fair's director for several years. Dyala Nousseibeh's career in the art world is impressive, with credits including the creation of the Istanbul Art Fair after a notable stint at the prestigious Saatchi Gallery, as well as the establishment of an international collectors' platform. She kindly agreed to answer our questions.
The Press — Abu Dhabi Art Fair is Neither the Oldest Nor the Largest Fair in the Region. How Do You Explain Its Influence and Major Positioning on the Regional Art Scene?
Abu Dhabi Art Fair is, in fact, one of the oldest fairs in the region. Its first edition, initially under the name Art Paris Abu Dhabi, opened in 2007, before becoming Abu Dhabi Art in 2009. It is also, I believe, the largest, with 142 exhibitors this year. That said, our goal has never been to grow for growth's sake, but to create a truly enriching cultural dialogue.
The fair benefits from a broader cultural vision carried by the Emirate — a vision firmly anchored in the construction of major institutions, from the Louvre Abu Dhabi to the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. This context gives it a unique position. We are not just a market; we are a bridge between institutions, artists, and collectors, and this strategic alignment gives us a reach that far exceeds our size.
What is the Specificity of this Fair and How Does it Differ from Dubai or Sharjah?
Each of the Emirates' art scenes plays a distinct role, and this diversity is our strength as a country. Dubai thrives as a commercial hub, Sharjah relies on a solid institutional and biennial structure, while Abu Dhabi Art is at a crossroads: we operate at the intersection of culture, heritage, and the art market. Our fair is both world-oriented and deeply rooted in the region. We invite curators to develop projects that reflect the role of the Emirates as a meeting point of cultures, and we engage with collectors and institutions in an intimate and intellectually stimulating way, rather than strictly transactional.
Do the Themes Chosen Each Year Fall Under a Global Vision, a Well-Defined Approach, or Do They Relate to Current Events that Inspired Them?
There is undoubtedly a long-term curatorial vision that guides Abu Dhabi Art. We seek to ensure that the stories and artistic narratives of our region contribute to shaping international discourse.
That said, we remain attentive to the world around us — art cannot exist in a vacuum. Thus, if the curatorial narrative of each edition is part of our global mission to highlight intercultural exchanges and the region's dynamism, it also reflects the urgent conversations and issues of our time.
What is the Impact of these Art Sessions on Regional Artists? Does the Visibility they Offer Find an Echo in their Countries? Or Does it Only Offer them Fugitive Glory?
This visibility is transformative and lasting. When regional artists exhibit at Abu Dhabi Art, they are presented not only to collectors but also to museum curators, foundation directors, and cultural thinkers. Many have subsequently been invited to international residencies, biennales, or institutional exhibitions thanks to this exposure. In this sense, the fair acts as a springboard. Our ambition is to build real and lasting recognition for regional artists, so that their voices are perceived as essential in the global artistic narrative — and not as fleeting phenomena.
Each Year, More Galleries Participate. Is There a Key Figure for Balance to be Achieved, for the Machine to Remain Controlled, Without Suffering from Development that Could Harm the Vocation of Exchanges and Encounters?
Absolutely. Quality will always prevail over quantity. Our goal is to preserve a fair of human scale, fluid and readable — a space where collectors can really dialogue with galleries, and where galleries can represent their artists in depth. There is a threshold beyond which intimacy is lost, and we are very attentive to maintaining this delicate balance. For us, growth does not mean expanding, but deepening and including in a thoughtful manner.
Is Abu Dhabi Art Fair Limited to the Emirates? Does it Have a Presence "Beyond its Walls"?
Abu Dhabi Art has become a true ecosystem that far exceeds the fair itself. Our exhibitions Beyond Emerging Artists and Gateway, for example, continue to travel and be inscribed in new contexts. We collaborate with institutions abroad and are increasingly forming cross-border partnerships. Thus, even if our physical anchor remains here in the Emirates, the reach of our artists has become global. This year, thanks to the support of HSBC, we presented Beyond Emerging Artists in prestigious locations in Hong Kong and London.
Is this Fair "Closed"? Are You Already Thinking About the Next One?
Well, I'm writing this response a week before the fair opens! But yes, the preparation for each edition begins at least a year in advance, and each year nourishes the next: the relationships, discoveries, and exchanges become the foundation of what comes after. We are already in discussion with curators, artists, and galleries to see how we can push the boundaries and offer an even more ambitious edition. The fair evolves while remaining in dialogue with the region and the world.
Interview conducted by Alya Hamza
