This April, Dubai’s art scene is making an impressive statement as the city transforms into a dynamic gallery, with Art Dubai and Alserkal Art Week showcasing a variety of unique works. These events not only highlight the growing creative energy in the region but also mark a shift in how art interacts with its environment and the audiences it attracts.
One of the most striking pieces this year is Vanishing Points by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi, located in the raw industrial space of Concrete, within Alserkal Avenue. The artwork, made from dyed nylon rope, stretches from floor to ceiling, resembling a handwoven manuscript. Qureshi drew inspiration from South Asian charpai weaving, an art form that is slowly disappearing. “It’s vanishing slowly with time in this age of technology and science,” he remarked. The work serves as a tribute to this vanishing craft, encouraging viewers to pause, reflect, and experience a personal connection to history.
The installation spans over 30 meters and uses a repetitive color palette of red, yellow, and blue. It is a visually captivating piece that, from within, overlooks the vibrant Alserkal lawn, where visitors gather around coffee shops and concept stores. Underneath the ropes, charpai chairs offer a space to rest and observe the artwork, inviting visitors to slow down, engage with the craft, and reflect on the artistry embedded in everyday life. Through the installation, Qureshi offers viewers a chance to remember something that is disappearing, one knot at a time. 
Qureshi’s work feels like a manuscript stitched in mid-air, with each panel acting as an individual frame, much like the layout of an Islamic miniature. The repeating sky patterns dotted with stars emphasize the duality of his vision—red with blue stars on one side and blue with red on the other. The piece alludes to traditional forms but uses a modern palette loosely inspired by the American flag, subtly commenting on current global themes. “Everyone has their own way of looking,” Qureshi said. “The work has many layers.”
Art also responds to the physical and metaphorical landscapes it inhabits, as demonstrated by Between a Beach and a Slope, a public art commission by Fatoş Üstek at Alserkal Avenue. Üstek described Alserkal as being in a “liminal space”—where contrasting elements like beach and slope, desert and skyline, coexist. This in-betweenness is reflected both in the location and the art it inspires, giving rise to works that examine movement, change, and identity.
Shilpa Gupta’s Still They Know Not What I Dream is another standout piece, a large illuminated sculpture that presents reversed text of its title, making it challenging to read. This deliberate distortion echoes the silencing of dissenting or marginalized voices, urging viewers to slow down and engage with the work more thoughtfully. Üstek points out that Alserkal’s openness to experimentation allows for more dynamic, intimate interactions with art, often blending chance and discovery. “People encounter the works as part of their daily rhythm,” Üstek noted. “That creates a different kind of intimacy—one rooted in chance and discovery.”
The UAE’s art scene, growing at a rapid pace, is increasingly defying traditional boundaries. Üstek sees this evolution as a turning point, noting that many artists in the region refuse to be categorized and instead demand platforms that reflect their complexity. Curators, she believes, play a crucial role in revealing overlooked stories, especially those shaped by migration, indigenous knowledge, and unique artistic practices.
Iranian artist Hadieh Shafie’s work Resonant Turns also embodies the themes of time, memory, and displacement. Through her hand-cut layered works, Shafie merges drawing, photography, and text, exploring the passage of time and her personal history. “It’s akin to throwing stones on water,” she said, describing how her pieces swirl with color and motion, invoking both memories of her childhood and poetry. Despite being based in New York, Shafie expressed a deep connection to the UAE, feeling an affinity with her roots. “I feel like I’m the closest I’ve ever been to the motherland,” she shared.
Alserkal Art Week 2025 runs under the theme “A Wild Stitch,” a fitting reflection of how artists are weaving together themes of memory, identity, and place in both personal and politically charged ways. However, the art scene in Dubai is not just about what’s displayed on the walls; it’s about supporting and nurturing creativity. Art Dubai and Alserkal continue to showcase groundbreaking work while also helping to elevate regional artists to global prominence.
The city’s growing commitment to its cultural scene is evident in initiatives by Dubai Culture, which has introduced new funding models to support local galleries and help them showcase their work internationally. Programs like Campus Art Dubai, which provides mentorship and hands-on training, and the Dubai Collection, the city’s first public art archive, aim to foster local talent while preserving the cultural memory of the city. In 2024, Dubai Culture launched a grant to cover half the cost for galleries showcasing at international fairs, reinforcing the city’s dedication to strengthening its presence in the global art market. Art Dubai 2023 alone generated a direct economic impact of Dh143 million, marking a significant step in the region’s investment in the arts.
The month of April provides a critical moment for artists and curators in the region, with many showcasing their works across both Art Dubai and Alserkal Art Week. At Art Week, galleries like Dastan Gallery and Parallel Circuit, in collaboration with Zaal Art Gallery and Leila Heller Gallery, present Maydan: A Living Agora, a show focused on shared spaces for exchange, disagreement, and reflection. This exhibit explores the concept of the “maydan” (gathering space), not just as a physical location but as a metaphor for collective engagement.
Art Dubai and Alserkal Art Week not only spotlight the UAE’s vibrant and diverse art scene but also serve as a testing ground for new ideas, dialogues, and modes of engagement. As the region continues to grow as a hub for contemporary art, these events are shaping a new, dynamic cultural landscape—one where art is not merely displayed, but actively reshapes the way we interact with our world.
Conclusion
As Dubai’s art scene evolves, it becomes clear that the city is not just a place where art is showcased—it’s a place where art is born, nurtured, and challenged. Events like Art Dubai and Alserkal Art Week are making a mark on the global art map, offering an open platform for regional talent while fostering new connections across cultures and disciplines. The UAE’s commitment to supporting local artists, through both financial and institutional backing, further solidifies its place as a thriving creative hub in the heart of the Middle East.
