Women read through pamphlets in front of Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi's 2016-2017 work "Three Obelisks" at Art Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP Photo
Women read through pamphlets in front of Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi's 2016-2017 work "Three Obelisks" at Art Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP Photo
Women read through pamphlets in front of Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi's 2016-2017 work "Three Obelisks" at Art Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP Photo
Women read through pamphlets in front of Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi's 2016-2017 work "Three Obelisks" at Art Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP Photo

Philanthropy will help a growing art scene flourish


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As any visitor to Dubai in March will know, the city comes alive with art. From the longstanding Art Dubai fair packed with gallerists, to the Sikka art fair, filling the streets of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood with sculptures and pop-ups, and art nights in Alserkal Avenue, there is an infectious buzz about the city that has reverberations well beyond its boundaries, and the region.

Since it first began in 2007, Art Dubai has flourished into one of the most established and respected platforms for Middle Eastern art worldwide. This weekend it will feature more than 90 galleries from 40-plus countries, with a particular focus on non-western art from Africa, Asia and Latin America. It shows how far the art scene has come from its original incarnation as the Gulf Art Fair in 2006, when the fair primarily featured western gallerists bring artwork from western or Orientalist artists. Since then, it has evolved into a showcase of art produced from the region, about the region, with museums and institutions from around the globe flocking to see the best it has to offer.

But no art scene can thrive on commerce alone. Creativity needs its patrons and the announcement this week from philanthropist Abdelmonem Alserkal unveiling the launch of his eponymous arts foundation, which will run residencies and education programmes and offer research grants to up-and-coming artists, is a sign of the maturity of that scene. "This is a natural progress and the latest in a series of milestones," he says, true to the principle that guided the Medicis in the 15th century and other great sponsors of the arts since.

Then there are the artists, who have had their passion fostered and nurtured in philanthropic, privately funded and government projects across the UAE. From Dubai's Tashkeel studio founded by Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum to Abu Dhabi's UAE Unlimited, set up by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, to the Sharjah Biennial, Warehouse421 in Abu Dhabi and the Barjeel Foundation, they have shaped and inspired the artistic landscape of the country.

Philanthropic partnerships go hand-in-hand with large-scale public projects. The arrival of Louvre Abu Dhabi is expected to be followed by more venues showcasing modern and contemporary art across the nation. There is still some way to go, but as an art-filled month unfolds, it is a reminder of a burgeoning cultural hub, where new artists are finding a voice, and being heard.

Biography

Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related

Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.

Family: Wife and three children.

Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.

Mane points for safe home colouring
  • Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

Company profile

Name: Infinite8

Based: Dubai

Launch year: 2017

Number of employees: 90

Sector: Online gaming industry

Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor

The five pillars of Islam
Cricket World Cup League Two

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

 

Fixtures

Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia

Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE

Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULT

Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay:
 Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')

Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)

War

Director: Siddharth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor

Rating: Two out of five stars 

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 2 (Benzema 13', Kroos 28')
Barcelona 1 (Mingueza 60')

Red card: Casemiro (Real Madrid)

Ireland (15-1):

Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour

Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)

57%20Seconds
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RESULTS

6.30pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner Final Song, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).

7.05pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m

Winner Almanaara, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.

7.40pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m

Winner Grand Argentier, Brett Doyle, Doug Watson.

8.15pm Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Major Partnership, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.

8.50pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.

9.25pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m

Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.

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ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5