Explore
All News
Palestine Museum Wins Prestigious Outstanding Museum Practice Award
The Palestinian Museum in Birzeit was among three winners of the fifth edition of the Outstanding Museum Practice Award (OMPA) from CiMAM - the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art - in re…
Yemeni Artists You Should Know
From its striking architecture, to its poetry and music traditions, Yemen has a rich artistic history. Yemen also has a contemporary art scene too. A new generation of Yemeni artists is redefining cultural narratives,…
‘Resonant Histories’ Connects India and the Arab World
The first-of-its-kind exhibition traces the artistic conversation between India and the Arab world across the twentieth century.
Christie's Autumn 2025 MENA Sales Analysis
This season has been a weird one for MENA art sales. Typically, Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams in London all have exhibitions showcasing their works for the autumn Modern and Contemporary art from the Middle East s…
International Council of Museums Meets in the UAE
Held under the theme of "The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities", the 27th ICOM General Conference is taking place in Dubai between 11 and 17 November 2025, the first time it has occurred within the MEN…
Rama Duwaji: The Syrian Artist Who’s About to Become the First Lady of New York
Have you heard the news? There’s going to be a new mayor in New York. And, while the world is celebrating the election of Zohran Mamdani, we’re more interested in his wife, Syrian artist Rama Duwaji.
Female Lebanese Artists Steal Show at Third Dalloul Collection Sale at Christie's in London
For the third year in a row, Christie’s has presented the third sale of works from the Dalloul Collection in London. This latest sale - titled Silsila - took place on 6 November 2025 and included works by some of the…
Al Serkal and Christie's Collab to Bring MARWAN to the UAE
Following the earlier exhibition of Marwan at Christie’s in London this Summer, the auction house has now partnered with Alserkal Avenue to bring the late Syrian-German artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi to Alserkal Art Week…
Grand Egyptian Museum Finally Opens
Egypt finally opened its doors to the world with the much anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum this week. The inauguration was a lavish event, ushering in a new beacon of Egyptian culture on the global sta…
10 Contemporary Turkish Artists You Should Know
The Turkish art scene is booming. Beyond institutions like Istanbul Modern, the Istanbul Biennial and Contemporary Istanbul, a flourishing contemporary art scene is making a lot of noise within the wider MENA art scen…
10 Contemporary Iranian Artists You Should Know
When it comes to individual art scenes within the MENA region, the Iranian art scene is probably the most exciting. Beyond its rich history, Iranian art is also very contemporary, and has even birthed many major art m…
MENA Galleries at Art Basel Paris
The second edition of Art Basel in Paris is just about to open in the Grand Palais, and this year there is a strong presence from MENA region galleries. The fair will even be hosting a talk as part of their "Art Basel…
Frieze Announces Abu Dhabi Fair
The art world was stunned by the news of a new art fair in the MENA region when Art Basel announced its Doha fair back in May, but now there’s been another huge announcement. Frieze fairs have just announced that thei…
MENA Galleries at Frieze London
Frieze London is arguably one of the biggest annual art fairs of the year. Taking place every October in London’s Regents Park, both Frieze and Frieze Masters draw galleries, collectors and art enthusiasts from across…
Art Basel Qatar Announces Participating Galleries
The art world all took a gasp after the announcement of Art Basel coming to Qatar. With just a few months until the debut fair opens, the participating 87 galleries have been announced, all of whom will each present a…
ArtZone Palestine Amplifies Palestinian Voices
Amidst the seemingly neverending destruction and devastation in Gaza, the MENA art world - and generally many artists across the world - have not been shy about amplifying Palestinian voices. A number of exhibitions a…
First Baghdad Photo Week Puts Light on Iraqi Photography Scene
While the MENA region is known for its artistic hubs, Iraq - with its ancient history - isn’t often thought of as having a serious contemporary art scene. However, Baghdad Photo Week brings contemporary Iraqi photogra…
Samia Halaby Received Prestigious MUNCH Award
Jerusalem-born, USA-based Palestinian artist Samia Halaby has just been announced as the second ever winner of the MUNCH award. The prize honours artists who show courage and integrity in their work, reflecting the le…
A Glimpse Into the North African Art Scene
Insights from the art crowd in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Sudan and Egypt
8 Shows to See in the MENA Region this Autumn
After a long hot summer, galleries in the MENA region are amping up their exhibition cycle to present us with several unmissable shows to visit as we head into the cooler months. Keep reading to learn more about the m…
Alexandria Biennale to Return in 2026
The MENA region’s oldest biennale makes a comeback
Top London Art Prize Nominates MENA Artists
London’s CIRCA Art Prize returns for its 2025 edition and this year it has nominated nine artists with roots in the MENA region. The annual art prize nominates 30 artists each year from across the world to each transf…
Textile Artists You Should Know from the MENA Region
From embroidery to costume
10 Photography Artists You Should Know From the MENA Region
Artists who know their way around the camera
Art Spaces Opening In the MENA Region in 2025
New galleries and museums to visit this year
Ceramic Artists From the MENA Region You Should Know
More than just clay
New Media Artists from the MENA Region You Should Know
It’s time to embrace technology
Performance Artists from the MENA Region
Art for a different kind of audience
MENA Artists Incorporating Traditional Crafts in a Contemporary Way
The MENA art scene is quickly changing, and evolving. New galleries and art fairs are opening everyday and artists are incorporating innovative technologies into their work. But this doesn’t mean that the traditions a…
Why Do Institutions in the MENA Region Model Themselves After their Western Counterparts
Is it time to stop modelling the art scene in the region after the West?
Modern Art Groups From the MENA Region You Should Know
The collectives that formed our modern art history
Why Do Diaspora Artists from the MENA Region Focus on Identity So Much?
But where are you really from?
11 Modern Artists From the MENA Region You Should Know
If you only know a handful of artists from the region, it should be these
The 10 Most Expensive Artworks by Arab Artists Sold At Auction
Record-breaking art from the region
A Look Inside the Levantine Art Scene
A taste of art from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine
MENA Art Hubs Outside the Region
The MENA art scene is thriving in diaspora
Sotheby’s Celebrates MENA Region in Hafla Event
This Summer Sotheby’s in London is hosting its second iteration of “Hafla”, a celebration of Middle Eastern art. The title comes from the Arabic word "hafla" or “حفلة”, meaning "celebration".
Christie’s Hosts Exhibition of Work by Syrian Artist Marwan
Syrian artist has huge retrospective at Christie’s London headquarters
Wael Shawky Announced as Artistic Director of Art Basel Qatar
Egyptian artist set to lead the first Qatar fair
Frieze London Awards Prize to Sophia Al-Maria
Qatari-born artist wins top honour
Baghdad Modern Art Group Exhibition
Landmark exhibition of Iraq’s Baghdad Modern Art Group opens in the US
Africa Basel Opens During Art Basel
Art Basel week just got more interesting
An Honest Look into the Palestinian Art Scene
Despite the worst circumstances, art is still finding a way to survive
Spring Sales Analysis for the MENA Modern and Contemporary Art Auctions
A slightly uneventful season
Why is Art Basel Coming to Qatar
A new fair for the MENA region
Art Basel Awards Medals to MENA Artists
The art fair has just announced its first art world medals
Bahrain Pavilion Wins the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale
A prestigious win for a show all about heat
10 Exhibitions to See in the MENA Region this Spring
The must see shows this season
Sotheby’s Dubai Collaborates with UAE’s Homegrown Galleries
Sotheby’s collaborates with the UAE’s best-loved galleries
Qatar Opens Tasweer Photography Biennale
A photographic festival comes to Qatar
TeamLab Opens in Abu Dhabi
TeamLab makes their mark on the UAE
Lebanese Pavilion Opens with Portals and Pathways Exhibition
The Nuhad Es-Said Pavilion’s first show
Debut Art Week Riyadh Takes Place in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi art programme continues to grow
Qatar Set to build First National Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 30 Years
Qatari cements its place at the Venetian biennial
Lebanese Architect Wins Bid to Redesign Significant Portion of the British Museum
The British institution is about to get a Lebanese touch
Sotheby’s First Ever Saudi-based Sale Generates $17.28 Million
Records were made at Sotheby’s first Saudi sale