Art Dubai, that shimmering mirage of creativity in the desert, returns for its 18th edition this April (18–20), promising to once again transform Madinat Jumeirah into an orbiting cultural galaxy. Over 100 galleries from 50+ cities will convene, including 20 bold new arrivals, eager to carve their place into this ever-expanding universe.

Let’s not mince words: this fair is no mere showcase of pretty things. It’s a pulsating hub where artistic migrations and cultural crosswinds collide. From heavyweight returnees like Almine Rech and Sabrina Amrani to debutants such as Bortolami and Cristina Guerra Contemporary Art, Art Dubai’s roster has more depth than an Emirati dune at sunset.

As always, Dubai’s own galleries—Ayyam, Lawrie Shabibi, and others—hold the fort with a proud local presence. Yet, it’s the curated sections that truly elevate the spectacle. Mirjam Varadinis’ Bawwaba offers a “gateway” to transnational narratives, while Modern, under Magalí Arriola and Nada Shabout, celebrates 20th-century luminaries. The Digital section, curated by Gonzalo Herrero Delicado, whispers (or perhaps shouts?) of the futuristic tensions shaping our screens and selves.

Art Dubai isn’t just about art; it’s about context—social, historical, and global. Pablo del Val, the fair’s visionary artistic director, reminds us of the stakes: in a world rife with uncertainty, these artists and galleries narrate the stories of migrations and exchanges shaping our collective future.

As Dubai positions itself ever more confidently at the nexus of Gulf, African, and South Asian creativity, one thing is clear: Art Dubai is not just a fair—it’s a provocation, a question, a shimmering call to imagination.

Buckle up, art lovers. April is coming.