The 2020 World Art Dubai Celebrates Art in All Its Forms

‘Free Your Mind’ theme celebrates the international community uniting to encourage creativity and escapism through art.”

World Art Dubai 2020, the region’s most accessible and affordable retail art fair, will embrace its status as the first major event of the season by uniting an eager global art community at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) starting October 8th through the 10th.

The opening act in Dubai event season, World Art Dubai 2020 will celebrate art in all its forms through an expansive collection of 2,000 curated artworks ranging from $100 – $20,000. The collection will be displayed by 120 solo artists and galleries from 25 countries, including a 50-strong contingent of international artists and galleries traveling to the event from India, Italy, Japan, and more countries.

Held under the theme ‘Free Your Mind’, World Art Dubai’s sixth edition arrives as art enjoys a society-wide boost in popularity. With people all over the world turning to arts as a means of creative escape in recent months, World Art Dubai has leveraged the art interest renaissance to house an international art community at DWTC.

From emerging Emirati artists, and fashion art disrupters, to experimental expressionists and urban art and photography practitioners, Dubai’s inclusive art and lifestyle event is set to wow art aficionados, established and newcomers alike.

Alongside the collected artworks, World Art Dubai will celebrate the return of major events to the emirate with a series of family-friendly activations held amid stringent health and safety precautionary measures to ensure a safe, attendance-controlled environment at DWTC.

“Art has served as an escape for people all over the world this year. We will cultivate this energy and enthusiasm through World Art Dubai’s theme of ‘Free Your Mind’ which will connect international artists and stimulate creativity and exploration,” explained Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “We are excited to welcome our first overseas participants back to Dubai and look forward to stimulating creative exchanges within the wider community.”

Urban Art continues to take center stage

Following the hugely successful Urban Art DXB in November 2019, World Art Dubai will continue to build momentum with 10 artists hailing from Vandalist Art’s gallery who will paint live graffiti and screen printing on the show floor. Vandalist Art, which was awarded ‘Best Gallery’ at World Art Dubai 2019, will also feature street art and urban art canvases for sale.

Additionally, Casa de Maquinas has been invited to shine a light on custom urban art from Mexico, Ukraine, California, the UK, and Japan. The collective of bikers, artists, and skaters, with firm roots in motorcycling, hot rods, and street culture, will feature live motorcycle tank painting and leather gloves and helmet painting at the show.

Local and international artists in the limelight

With more than 120 artists and galleries on show, World Art Dubai 2020 will showcase a diverse range of artworks and experiences across a range of different styles. Exhibitors range from emerging artists who are debuting at the show as well as seasoned, award-winning personalities and galleries.

At the show, a ‘Creativity Unmasked’ wall will be dedicated to showing how artists turned inwards for inspiration during the global pandemic, creating original artworks which reflect their personal experiences with COVID-19.

A seasoned artist to look out for is Idriss B, the French-Tunisian sculptor, who is famed for his limited-edition animal sculptures, distinguished by their life-size proportions and polygonal form. With his artworks featured across major destinations in Dubai, including DIFC and the Palm Jumeriah, the artist is becoming a household name in the UAE’s art scene.

An artist proving you should never give up is Farah Malhas, whose art studio containing all her work was completely destroyed during the recent Beirut explosion. Despite the tragedy, she has picked up her utensils, created new work, and is ready to showcase her mixed media art at this year’s World Art Dubai.

Exhibiting for the sixth occasion, Japan Promotion will be showcasing artworks from various Japanese artists under its project Japan Tide. Featured styles include Japanese calligraphy, Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting), Japanese painting and woodcarving, cloisonné, and Muntin art using exquisite traditional techniques, in addition to contemporary arts.

Emerging artist competitions across the board

In partnership with Rove Hotels, the World Art Dubai Emerging Visual Artists Prize will return to the show floor for its second year. Following last year’s success, 10 shortlisted emerging artists stand the chance to win exhibition space at World Art Dubai 2021 and Rove Hotels’ properties. The prize, which received over 500 entries from all over the GCC, will be judged by World Art Dubai curator, Petra Kaltenbach; Emerging Scene founder, Rebia Naim; and the Rove Hotels team.

Expanding the participation of photographers and videographers at the show, Nikon will showcase incredible works taken by some of their most dedicated Nikon Premium Members. Nikon also partnered with World Art Dubai for the ‘Emerging Photographers Contest,’ were some of the UAE’s most promising photographers vied for a Nikon Z 50 and exhibition space in next year’s event.

Art and fashion in the limelight

Following last year’s successful customization station, visitors can have their apparel, shoes, and bags customized by Craftology. Multidisciplinary artist Ella Elenzano Orencillo, known for use of pop-surrealism and vivid colors will lead the activation.

Additionally, selected artists will present their artworks on a runway during the event, while Petra Kaltenbach, in collaboration with the German embassy, will host a runway walk with models wearing her art printed on clothing.

What’s On

To ensure the safety of visitors, and in line with all government guidelines, a number of measures will be implemented during the show to maintain social distancing, this includes regular disinfection and clearly marked and defined entry and exit areas. World Art Dubai has partnered with www.fynd.art to provide visitors with a contactless experience via their smartphone. By scanning an art piece with their mobile phone, visitors can explore information about artwork exhibited, artists, and galleries.