Art Dubai 2024's diverse offering this year ranges in style, medium and geography.
Now in its 17th year and held at Madinat Jumeirah from Friday to Sunday, the fair features 120 galleries from more than 40 countries, where art enthusiasts can wander and get their fix of every kind of artwork imaginable.
From the abstract to the figurative and the digital and the modern, there’s plenty of incredible work to check out. Not sure where to start? The National has curated a list of our favourite art pieces that you must see.
Charm Anklet by Summer Wheat – Contemporary Section
Summer Wheat’s vibrant work is certainly eye-catching.
At first glance, the US artist's large-scale works – Charm Anklet and Claws at the Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery booth – instantly attract the viewer to her expressive forms and colour combination.
The works initially appear to be colossal embroidered pieces, when in fact Wheat uses a particular technique to create this tactile effect.
She applies acrylic paint at the back of the painting, which she pushes through the grooves of the canvas, slowly and precisely, with the paint taking the form of its surface.
Mirror of the Mind series by Krista Kim – Digital Section
The work of acclaimed digital artist Krista Kim is mesmerising and harks back to her desire to create experiential, meditative moments for the viewer.
Displayed in the digital section of the festival, the series entitled Mirror of the Mind v.3, v.7 and v.8 shows jewelled globes on screens, combining Kim’s technical skill with her interest in light and colour.
She is one of the few artists who present digital work in a way that doesn’t feel as though it's on the screen, but connects with the viewer through its colour and composition as a traditional artwork would.
Bon Appetit III by Carlos Aires – Contemporary Section
Bon Appetit III by Carlos Aires (2021) consists of porcelain glazed plates, forex and magnets. Displayed in Zilberman Gallery from Istanbul, the work is beautifully presented and comments on several familial, historical and domestic themes.
The piece also showcases an innovative combination of traditional representations of print and drawing on coveted material such as porcelain in a contemporary way.
Man & Mountain No. 3 by Hassan Sharif – Dubai Collection
Man & Mountain No. 3 by the renowned Emirati artist and writer Hassan Sharif is part of the Encounters exhibition presented by Dubai Collection. This year, it displays diverse work from UAE artists across several generations, genres and styles.
This work is a striking example of his command over large-scale canvasses, masterfully creating atmosphere through composition, colour schemes and gesture.
Sharif was one of the few Arab artists who rejected calligraphic abstraction, being more interested in a contemporary and experimental approach.
Thickets XXI by Sandra Strele – Contemporary Section
This unconventionally shaped painting by Sandra Strele is made with acrylic, water-based paint and pigments on canvas.
Thickets XXI is from her series entitled Exhibitions That Never Happened, which suggests the concepts of pieces that were either never meant to exist or an exhibition that never took place.
Strele’s style is interesting in that she references many other artistic practices and influences such as the work of David Hockney, while adding her own distinct voice.
Mother and Child II by Chandraguptha Thenuwara – Modern Section
Renowned Sri Lankan artist Chandraguptha Thenuwara’s Mother and Child is an emotive portrait of a traditional theme, executed in his own distinct style.
Displayed by Saskia Fernando Gallery in the Modern section of the fair, the painting draws on a number of symbolic motifs like barrels, barricades, lotuses, guns, soldiers and conceptual figures that are camouflaged in the background, commenting on the state of Sri Lanka’s history and society.
Sculptures by Alia Hussain Lootah – Contemporary Section
Emirati artist Alia Hussain Lootah’s delicate but substantial sculptures are a must-see.
Playing with a number of contrasting concepts, from the soft and hard, to the industrial and organic, along with weight and materiality, Lootah's sculptures are considered and wonderfully presented to the viewer.
Untitled by Marcos Grigorian – Modern Section
This is an incredibly powerful work by Iranian-Armenian artist Marcos Grigorian.
Like much of his work, Untitled uses organic materials such as hay, straw, sand, soil and clay to create harmonious geometric compositions.
Grigorian is known for his exploration of themes such as the Holocaust, land art, and the human condition.
Ur-schrift ovvero Avant-testo by Irma Blank – Contemporary Section
Based on a printed text that she transcribed in ink, Ur-schrift ovvero Avant-testo by Irma Blank is an intimate work that showcases her meticulous and masterful craft as an artist.
She has always aimed to create work that is universal and, in essence, draws language without using words while connecting with the viewer on some level.
Don't Pull My Hair by Afra Al Dhaheri – Dubai Collection
Emirati conceptual artist Afra Al Dhaheri's sculpture invites people to have a moment of stillness as they observe the materiality and her composition.
Entitled, Don’t Pull My Hair, the sculpture – and a large body of Al Dhaheri’s work – are influenced by the concept and symbolism of hair from a personal, regional and universal perspective.
Andachtsbild #716 by Christian Eckart – Contemporary Section
Christian Eckart’s Andachtsbild #716 painting is part of a series that explored Andachtsbilder – a German term used to describe Christian devotional images used as aids for prayer.
However, they were often commissioned by the merchant class in the 18th century and are seen as the roots of what we now refer to as the concept of capitalism.
Eckart takes these themes that intersect between art, commerce and religion and reframes them in a contemporary context while still referencing the 18th-century art movement through the use of gold and framing.
Art Dubai 2024 will take place at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, from Friday to Sunday. More information is available at www.artdubai.ae
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
TRAINING FOR TOKYO
A typical week's training for Sebastian, who is competing at the ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon on March 8-9:
- Four swim sessions (14km)
- Three bike sessions (200km)
- Four run sessions (45km)
- Two strength and conditioning session (two hours)
- One session therapy session at DISC Dubai
- Two-three hours of stretching and self-maintenance of the body
ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon
For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.
LAST 16
SEEDS
Liverpool, Manchester City, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Valencia, Juventus
PLUS
Real Madrid, Tottenham, Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon, Chelsea
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
The years Ramadan fell in May
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier
Results
UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 12 runs
Kuwait beat Iran by eight wickets
Oman beat Maldives by 10 wickets
Bahrain beat Qatar by six wickets
Semi-finals
UAE v Qatar
Bahrain v Kuwait
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
