By Anna Seaman
The Middle East is a region that doesn’t do half measures. Over just a few decades, what was once a fragmented network of fledgling galleries in a developing market has evolved into a dynamic, self-sustaining ecosystem. Unlike traditional art capitals that developed over centuries, this region’s growth has been compressed, evolving at a pace rarely seen elsewhere. At its centre, Dubai is positioned as a global hub for contemporary art—home to mature, homegrown galleries and institutions that have shaped the region’s creative economy.
As Art Dubai approaches its third decade in 2025, several major players are also marking significant anniversaries. Green Art Gallery, a cornerstone of the United Arab Emirate’s contemporary art scene, turns 30 this year. Founded by Mayla Atassi and initially focused on Arab Modernism, the gallery now champions diverse voices from across the region under the direction of her daughter, Yasmin.“We’ve become a pillar of the UAE’s art scene,” says Yasmin Atassi. “There’s a thriving ecosystem of galleries now, and if you think about it, very few galleries have closed here, which speaks to the maturity of the market, regional leadership, and, of course, great art.”
In Beirut, Andrée Sfeir-Semler is preparing for the 40th anniversary of her gallery, which first opened in Kiel, Germany, in 1985. Although she began with internationally recognised artists, it was her embrace of regional contemporary voices that led to her success. “I have a feeling everything happened exponentially,” she reflects. “All of a sudden, the Arab world woke up. In Lebanon, when the war ended in the early 1990s, artists began trying to understand themselves, developing a form of contemporary art anchored in their personal biographies. That’s what made them interesting to the rest of the world: because they were articulating their own social and geographical stories.”
Sfeir-Semler Gallery, now with spaces in Beirut and Hamburg, was a driving force in launching artists like Walid Raad, Akram Zaatari, and Wael Shawky. She also points to global shifts that elevated artists from the region: “Don’t forget 9/11’s impact,” she says. “It sparked a wave of inquiry from artists and intellectuals and turned attention to this region. At the same time, cultural borders were opening. Okwui Enwezor’s Documenta 11 in 2002—the first time the exhibition was led by a non-European curator—was a seminal moment.”
The first decade of the 2000s was defining for Dubai’s art scene. Tabari Artspace was founded by Maliha Tabari in 2003 and it was in 2005 that Sunny Rahbar, Claudia Cellini and Omar Ghobash joined forces to open The Third Line. “It was a time when creative expression from this region was urgently needed,” says Rahbar. Over the past 20 years, The Third Line has cultivated a roster of artists whose works challenge conventions while bridging traditional and contemporary aesthetics.
In 2006, Isabelle van den Eynde launched B21 Gallery in Dubai’s Al Quoz, and by 2010, opened her eponymous gallery in Alserkal Avenue. Ayyam Gallery was already on the scene, being the first gallery to open in the then-nascent creative community in 2008. Dubai’s cultural maturity was further underscored in 2015 with the arrival of Leila Heller Gallery, which has been instrumental in bringing international artists to the region.
This steady growth mirrors the evolution of Art Dubai itself. The fair has played a pivotal role in shaping Dubai’s creative identity, acting as a catalyst for global exchange and the careers of artists from the Global South. Its decade-long partnership with the Swiss wealth management company Julius Baer reflects strong institutional confidence in the region’s creative economy. Beyond being a marketplace, Art Dubai has matured into a platform for dialogue, education, and artistic experimentation. The fair’s economic impact is also noteworthy. The 2023 edition generated AED 143 million (USD$39 million) in direct economic benefits—a 55% increase from 2019. With more than 130 exhibitors from over 40 countries participating in 2025, the fair has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most influential art gatherings.
Art Dubai was also the first art fair in the world to launch a section dedicated to digital art. One of its regular exhibitors, Gazell.io (Gazelli Art House’s digital platform), celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year. “At Gazell.io, we’ve witnessed the region’s transformation firsthand,” says Mila Askarova, Founder and CEO of Gazelli Art House / GAZELL.iO. “Since our launch in 2015, we’ve worked with over 100 digital artists through residencies, exhibitions, and commissions, many of whom have been showcased at Art Dubai Digital. That the section is now in its fourth year is a strong sign of the region’s growing maturity,” she says. “Art Dubai Digital has played a key role in placing the region at the centre of global digital art discourse. With a strong institutional framework, an increasingly international collector base, and a genuine openness to innovation, the Middle East is not just maturing—it’s establishing itself as a leading force in the future of contemporary art.”
These anniversaries are more than mere milestones, they reflect the resilience, sophistication, and global integration of a regional market that has come into its own. As Dubai continues to evolve as a cultural capital, the collective momentum of its artists, galleries, and institutions signals a future filled with promise and one that increasingly speaks in a truly global voice.
