World Art Dubai (18-21 April, 2018) The Fourth Season of World Art Dubai Opened at Dubai World Trade Centre

World Art Dubai 2018 / Courtesy of WAD

The fourth season of World Art Dubai, the Middle East’s largest affordable art fair features its broadest collection of regional and international artworks to date. Catering to the UAE’s passionate population of dedicated art aficionados, first-time buyers and commissioning private entities, World Art Dubai goes significantly beyond its core gallery and artist proposition with a series of public-friendly workshops, cultural performances and interactive talks.

Being established as the region’s leading affordable art fair and one-stop-shop for the most impressive curation of pictures, paintings, sculptures, digital photography and more, World Art Dubai’s expansive art collection covers a range from USD100 up to USD20,000. Aside from the professionally-curated platform for emerging artwork, World Art Dubai boasts a wealth of family-themed cultural highlights including hands-on workshops where visitors can unleash their inner creative spirit, exclusive talks and panel discussions with industry experts, and numerous outdoor activations in the Art Attack chill-out area.

“World Art Dubai 2018 promises to be a huge draw for the UAE’s increasingly visual and vocal population of art collectors, as well as those curious, new-to the-segment individuals looking to take their first steps into the art world,” says Trixie Loh Mirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC.

“We’re also expecting our largest-ever corporate attendance as budget-conscious firms across various industries - from hospitality entities to corporate offices – see World Art Dubai as a unique opportunity to tick aesthetic and wall space boxes. The fair boasts a unique position that goes far beyond purchasing art and our education proposition has been amplified exponentially this year with a host of activities and interactions that art veterans and newcomers alike can get involved in.”

World Art Dubai 2018 / Courtesy of WAD

Hailing from the UK, Peru, Denmark, Germany, India and Japan – to name a few – confirmed artists include Jeff Murray (UK), Leila Kanso (Lebanon), Shazia Imran (Australia), Martin Lima (Sweden) and Mika Yajima (Japan). Particularly of note is New York-based award-wining artist Shreya Mehta who will be debuting her new Liquid Tapestries collection, while Fu Wenjun from China is blurring the lines of photography and paintings with his brand-new art style, Digital Pictorial Photography. Among the must-see regional galleries are The Art Cocoon Gallery, Art Plus Gallery, Noon Art Gallery and White Space Gallery, while elsewhere, Jackson Events (France), Studio 3 Art Gallery (India), Mihyo Art Gallery (Korea) and Boogie Gallery (Russia) are also catering to the region’s culture vultures. Art investor savvy visitors would be wise to look out for Dubai-based artist Kristel Bechara, with limited-edition series of 25 artworks.

Returning for a fourth consecutive year, the Art For Every Wall section features variety of original artworks with prices up to AED3,000 that are perfect for first-time buyers. There will also be a series of free and informative talks at the fair, exploring everything from art and empowerment to the role of culture in CSR.

New to this year’s bill are four panel discussions focusing on topics including ‘Art and Impact, What Does It Really Mean?’, ‘Waste Shouldn’t be Wasted’ and ‘Art, Travel and Photography.’ For those looking to really get involved, several interactive workshops cover sessions centred around learning how to make dreamcatchers, creating Mandala Art and learning about Islamic Geometry with local artist Jaber Alhaddad. Fashion lovers should also pay a visit to PipoMoMa, who will be leading a workshop around the bespoke customisation of bags and shoes.

Flying for flag for Japanese culture, artists and galleries from the Far East country are headlining a Japanese Cultural Evening on Friday. The event will explore Japanese calligraphy, ink painting and origami. Another highlight is artist Alex Raspberry’s Order, Chaos & Light installation, a full assault on the senses which immerses the audience in light, darkness, colour and sound.

World Art Dubai 2018 / Courtesy of WAD

Outdoor in Art Attack, visitors will have the opportunity to paint with everyday items as part of a bigger World Art Dubai installation, while The Ripe Craft Market is back with dozens of small local businesses selling everything from quirky lifestyle gifts and authentic crafts, to kitsch finds for the home and office.

The Doodle Marathon will commemorate World Autism Day, World Creativity Day and Innovation Day, with one artist challenged to paint 2x2 m each throughout the day for four days, with all funds going towards Dubai Autism Centre and The AJALA Project.