Art Dubai 2014 Featuring 85 Galleries From 34 Countries

Art Dubai, the regionâ€™s largest and most global art fair, opened its doors to the public on March 20, 2014 at Madinat Jumeirah and runs until 22 March. The eighth annual edition of the fair is the biggest in its history, featuring 85 galleries from 34 countries, with over 500 artists participating across its programmes. Seventy museum groups and more than 400 international curators are attending the fair, from all over the world.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the fair was graced by the presence of the Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, at Tuesdayâ€™s preview. His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development inaugurated the new gallery hall, Art Dubai Modern.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Antonia Carver at Art Dubai 2014 / Courtesy of Art Dubai

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai at Art Dubai 2014 / Courtesy of Art Dubai

Fair Director Antonia Carver said, â€œWeâ€™re delighted to be able to open our doors to the public today, following hugely successful preview sessions. The participating galleries have reported strong sales from the off, indicating that interest in contemporary and modern art has never been stronger here in the region. Over the past eight editions of Art Dubai, weâ€™ve seen not just a greater interest in the fair locally, but a growth in the appreciation of art and culture in and from our region on the international stage. Weâ€™re proud to have been a pioneering spirit helping to grow the UAEâ€™s reputation as an international hub for the region, working together with our artists, galleries, patrons and sponsors.â€

Fair Director Antonia Carver at Art Dubai 2014 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

This yearâ€™s fair boasts its largest ever show with three separate gallery programmes â€“ Contemporary, Marker and new in 2014, Modern. The Global Art Forum, five days of talks and presentations by leading figures from across all cultural disciplines, has been attracting capacity audiences. Speakers participating in the Forum today and Friday March 21 include Sulayman Al Bassam, John Akomfrah,Catherine David, Okwui Enwezor, Farah Al-Nakib, Adam Szymczyk, Marina Warner, among others.

Art Dubai 2014, from left: Slavs and Tartars Marker; Kristine Kouri, Art Dubai Modern; Nada Raza, The Abraaj Group Art Prize; Shomun Basar, Global Art Forum; Fred Sicre, Managing Director, The Abraaj Group; Antonia Carver, Fair Director; Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General, Dubai Culture / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Art Dubaiâ€™s 2014 Programme comprises a strong not-for-profit programme of curatorial and educational projects, including 12 specially commissioned site-specific artworks; Falgoosh live radio station; curated film and video screenings at the Art Dubai Cinema; the return of The Sheikha Manal Little Artists Program for childrenâ€“ all of which are taking place daily until the fair closes on Saturday evening.

â€˜Garden and Springâ€™, the exhibition of works by the winners of The Abraaj Group Art Prize, has opened at Madinat Jumeirah, to critical acclaim.

â€˜Garden and Springâ€™, the exhibition of works by the winners of The Abraaj Group Art Prize / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

The eighth edition of Art Dubai is held in partnership with The Abraaj Group and is sponsored by Cartier and Emaar. Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is the strategic partner of Art Dubai and supports the fair's year-round education programme. Art Dubai Modern is sponsored by Mashreq Private Banking. Maserati is the Car Partner of Art Dubai 2014. Rothschild joins Art Dubai as a Corporate Patron of the 2014 fair.