Wednesday, 10 March, 2010
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Art Galleries And Art Exhibitions PDF Print E-mail

There is a growing art scene in Dubai and the UAE with many exhibitions and works displayed from artists based in Dubai and elsewhere in the Middle East, in addition to works displayed from international artists. A few shops in Dubai call themselves a gallery when they really are only a furniture or picture frame shop. Nevertheless, some of them have some interesting stuff to look at. Just wander around one of Dubai's shopping centres and you'll find something. But that's hardly what most people are looking for in an art gallery.

There are two areas of Dubai with a cluster of art galleries and recommended for a visit. The galleries highlighted in green are on the "must see" list (although to be fair, it's worth visiting all the galleries in the same group as they're so close to each other). A list of galleries and further details follow the two suggested areas.

1. Bastakiya (or Bastakia) in Bur Dubai to visit the Majlis, XVA, Eye Art Gallery, Ostra Art Gallery and maybe the Basta Art Cafe for a coffee - all within walking distance of each other and near the Dubai Museum. It's a pleasant walk around a historical and scenic part of Dubai amongst the Wind Towers.

2. Al Quoz Industrial Area to visit B21 Gallery, The Courtyard (gallery, cafe and shops - and the spectacular "Petals"), The Third Line - all within walking distance of each other, and Meem Gallery a short, complicated, drive away. B21, TTL, and Meem are all similar in that they have a large single warehouse style room with periodic exhibitions. Al Quoz really is an industrial area so don't be put off when first venturing in to its cement dusted depths. It's not quite the Louvre (although Dubai may yet build one of those) but persevere, and you'll find these refreshing artistic oases in the desert.



Art Galleries and Shops in Dubai/UAE
  • 4 Walls Art Gallery [gallery] www.4walls-dubai.com - art gallery in Al Quoz displaying Middle East and international modern art. Behind Gargash Motors, see location map, tel +971-4-3388892, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Opened 2007?
  • Al Abbar Art Gallery Dubai [shop] www.alabbarart.com - two locations, Gulf Towers tel +971-4-3375537 and Jumeirah Beach Center tel +971-4-3449207 (the blue and glass shopping center on Jumeirah Beach Road). Sells oil paintings, lithographs, limited edition prints, and posters. Opening hours 0900-1300 and 1600-2100 in the Jumeirah Center and 0800-1300 and 1600-2000 in Gulf Towers.
  • Art Sawa Gallery [gallery] - Al Quoz
  • ArtSpace Dubai (Art Space Dubai) [gallery] www.artspace-dubai.com - 9th Floor, Fairmont Hotel, tel +971-4-3325523, Sheikh Zayed Road, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Open 1000-1400 & 1500-2100 Saturday to Thursday during Ramadan. Promotes art from national and international contemporary artists. Intend to offer exhibitions every 3 weeks.
  • Ayyam Gallery [gallery], www.ayyamgallery.com, Al Quoz near the other art galleries in Al Quoz. Syrian art. Dubai opening 10am Sat 31 May 2008 (with live artists flown in from around the world), tel +971-4-3236242. There's a gallery also in Damascus, Syria.
  • B21 Progressive Art Gallery [gallery] - opposite Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3, +971-4-3403965, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , no website.
  • Bagash Art Gallery, www.bagashartgallery.com - tel +971-4-3515311. Opened in early 2006 to showcase southeast Asian Art.
  • Basta Art Cafe [cafe] - Bastikiya, tel +971-4-3626100 (or +971-4-3535071?), a few trinkets for sale. Another delightful restored building with large shaded outdoor area to drink your tea. Open Sat-Thu 1000-2200.
  • Boutique 1 / Boutique1, www.boutique1.com - new shop at The Walk JBR, Dubai Marina, tel +971-4-3304555, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , open 06 November 2008. Includes Boutique 1 Art Gallery, Boutique 1 Books, Boutique 1 Cafe, Boutique 1 Spa, Boutique 1 Living (men's and women's fashion), Boutique 1 Magazine. Manager Fadi Mogabgab, a Lebanese curator. New exhibitions each month of art including paintings, photography, sculpture, coffee (ok, maybe the coffee doesn't change). January 2009 - Joanna Andraos (artist in attendance), February 2009 Joan Miro & Alexander Calder, March 2009 Marwan Sahmarani (artist attending), April 2009 Akri Kuroda, May 2009 Andonov, June 2009 Michel Pelloille. First Boutique 1 shop at the Boulevard (upper level), Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Boutique 1 fashion also for sale (discounted) at Dubai Outlet Mall in their shop "The Outlet"
  • Christie's Dubai (well-known international art auctioneers) sales office [art auctions] - office 7, 1st floor, building 2, Emaar Business Park, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 48800, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, tel +971-4-3615323, fax +971-4-3615324, open Sunday-Thursday, 1000-1800. Managing Director - Michael Jeha. Opened office in April 2005 so all the rich people in Dubai could give them their surplus cash.
  • Creative Arab - see Meem Art Gallery information.
  • Carbon 12 Gallery, www.carbon12dubai.com - art gallery in Marina View Towers ground floor, Dubai Marina, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , tel +971-50-4644392.
  • Design People [shop] - Mazaya Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road web www.designpeopledubai.com, furniture shop with paintings by Imad Bechara (Lebanon). Clever looking website.
  • Emorarts - an online art gallery at www.emorarts.com, open 24/7 (of course), delivery by DHL. Based in Dubai, established by Ian Mercer and Ian Mulville.
  • Eye Gallery [gallery], Bastakia, small pleasant gallery with avant-garde exhibitions from resident artists in Dubai , especially Iranian art. Open 0900-2000 (1000-1900 during Ramadan). Tel +971-4-3534833, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , no website.
  • Five Green [shop], www.fivegreen.com - behind Aroma Garden Cafe, Oud Metha Road, Bur Dubai, tel +971-4-3364100. Art, music, clothes and magazines for modern urban living.
  • Four Seasons Ramesh Gallery [shop] - Bastakia tel +971-4-3536881, fax +971-4-3536177, www.fourseasonsgallery.com (under construction Oct 2006). A commercial establishment selling a wide range of teapots, old photos and other vaguely arty looking objects, but not many paintings. Branches also in Mall of the Emirates, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and Heritage Village.
  • Gallery 1 [shop] - Souk Madinat in Jumeirah and Mall of the Emirates. Same place as Middle East Arts in Souk / Souq Madinat. Sells photographs you can't make yourself but wish you could. Web www.g-1.com.
  • Gallery 76 [gallery] - in DIAC, tel +971-4-3444398, opened January 2005. Opening hours Sat-Wed 0900-1700, Thu 0900-1600. Showcasing contemporary art from national and international artists.
  • Godolphin Gallery [showcase] - Nadd / Nad Al Sheba racetrack. It's not art in the normal sense of the word but worth a visit to see the impressive collection of trophies won by horses from Godolphin Stables (that belong to the Maktoum family - Dubai's ruling family). Open daily 0900-1700 and closes 2000 on race nights (mornings only during Ramadan?), web www.godolphin.com/gallery.asp.
  • Green Art Gallery [gallery], www.gagallery.com - near Dubai Zoo between Jumeira Beach Road and Al Wasl Road, villa 23, street 51, Jumeirah, tel +971-4-3449888, fax +3447449, PO Box 25711, Dubai, UAE, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , www.gagallery.com. Open Sat-Thu 0930-1330 & 1630-2030. During Ramadan, hours are 0930-1500. Middle Eastern art and collectibles.
  • Guy Flichy Gallery [gallery] (not Guy Flichey Gallery) - www.guyflichygallery.com, Villa 40, Al Bastakiya, mobile tel +971-50-5415392, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Open late 2008?
  • Majlis Gallery [gallery & small shop], www.majlisgallery.com - near Dubai Museum, Al Fahidi roundabout, Bastikia (Bastakiya), Bur Dubai, tel +971-4-3536233. Well known as it's been open for years (since 1970). Pleasant courtyard to sit in and drink your bottle of water after walking around.
  • Meem Gallery [gallery], www.creativearab.com - Al Quoz, easy to find if you know how, in warehouse #1 between Marina Furniture and Max Garage on Umm Suqeim Rd (the one that goes from Al Khail Rd to the Burj Al Arab). Difficult if coming from the other Al Quoz art galleries. Tel +971-4-3477883, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Looks closed if there's no exhibition but if you appear lost, and someone's there, they may let you in.
  • Middle East Arts [shop] - in Souk Madinat in Jumeirah - Umm Suqeim/Um Suqqeim. Tel +971-4-3686057, web www.middleeastarts.com. Same place as Gallery 1.
  • Miraj Islamic Art Centre - Jumeirah Beach road, Jumeirah 3 (in the old University of Wollongong building), tel +971-4-3941084 or +971-4-3941094.
  • Mondo Arte [gallery] - The Galleria, second floor, Mall of the Emirates, tel +971-4-3413001. An eclectic collection of paintings from local and international artists.
  • Original and Unique Art Gallery [gallery?] - Al Wasl Road, tel +971-4-3948808, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , web www.onuart.com. Established in March 1999 for exhibiting European and North American art. Art Institute added February 2005. Open 1000-2100 daily (maybe not Fri mornings though).
  • Ostra Gallery [gallery] - Al Fahidi roundabout, Bastakia, Bur Dubai, tel + 971-4-3539441, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , no website. Small gallery opened in Sep 2004, displays Arabic paintings and calligraphy.
  • Petals [shop] - a trinket shop in The Courtyard which doesn't sound like much but really is worth a visit if you're in The Courtyard, just to see what an astounding array of household goods it is possible to buy - Edwardian, Victorian, Baroque, Younameit, etc. This is not an understatement. Tel +971-4-3473003, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
  • Picasso Gallery [shop] - Satwa, near the Iranian Hospital, tel +971-4-3450996, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Picture framing shop but they sell a few pictures and large clay pots.
  • Sahary Gate [tour operator] - walk in through what appears to be a garage door into a welcoming restored courtyard with tourist office, gallery, resident calligrapher, conference room and coffee shop. During Ramadan they have an Iftar Buffet on the roof with a cultural presentation for 180 dhs per person. They also do seminars on UAE culture, tours of the UAE, and language courses. Bastakia House No 14, tel +971-4-3535660, fax +971-4-3539747, www.saharygate.com, PO Box 44911, Dubai, UAE.
  • Sharjah Art Museum, www.sdci.gov.ae - Bait Al Serkal, Al Shuwaiheyn area, Sharjah, near the Old Souk/Bazaar in the Arts Area of Sharjah. Tel +971-6-5688222, basement parking available. Admission free, open 0900-1300 & 1700-2000 except Mon (closed) & Fri (1700-2000 only). Wed afternoon for ladies only (young children ok). Check hours on public holidays. Ramadhan hours mornings only. Permanent collection belongs to the Ruler of Sharjah - Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi. Regular exhibitions, lectures, workshops etc. Established in 1995, moved to new building in 1997. Visit it to realise Sharjah is not just about dodgy car parts and strict dress codes. Dubai has nothing like this. At least, not yet.
  • The Courtyard [gallery and shops], www.courtyard-uae.com - near Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3, tel +971-4-3475050. A collection of art galleries (well, one), artists, exhibitions, art supplies, furniture, and a cafe/coffee shop. Pleasant place to visit. Don't leave without having a look in "Petals".
  • The Empty Quarter [art gallery], www.theemptyquarter.com - DIFC Gate Village, Building 02, PO Box 509997, Dubai. A new (in 2009) art gallery that has a focus on fine art photography.
  • The Jam Jar [gallery, studio, and events], www.thejamjardubai.com (changed from www.jamjardubai.com) - a company that organises art related activities, for individual or corporate clients. They have a DIY art studio (with art supplies, coffee and music) and art gallery. They'll even come to you for an event. Tel +971-4-3417303, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , location is street 17a in Al Quoz, behind the Modern Bakery and Dubai Garden Center near Mall of the Emirates (exit 39 on Sheikh Zayed Road). Open hours Monday to Thursday 10am - 9pm, Friday 2pm - 9pm, closed Sundays.
  • The Red Gallery [gallery], www.theredgallery.net - Villa 833b, Al Wasl Rd (Iranian Hospital Road), after Umm Suqeim Spinneys heading in Jebel Ali direction. Tel +971-4-3955811, fax +971-4-395-5812, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Gallery specialising in contemporary Asian fine art. Opened late 2006 / early 2007?
  • The Third Line [gallery], www.thethirdline.com - between The Courtyard and Spinneys warehouse, sign is a bit obscure, Al Quoz 3, tel +971-4-3411367, www.thethirdline.com. They've done a good job of turning a warehouse into a gallery.
  • Total Arts [gallery] - The Courtyard, near Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3, tel +971-4-3475050. Opened 1996, specialising in Middle East influenced art and artists. Owner Dariush Zandi.
  • Total Design [studio] - The Courtyard, near Spinneys warehouse, Al Quoz 3, tel +971-4-3475050. Photographic studio also owned by Dariush Zandi.