Dubai’s art scene has a new star on the rise. The inaugural Dubai Editions art fair, launched as part of Dubai Design Week, has set a bold precedent for the region’s contemporary art and collectable design landscape. The fair provided a fresh platform for limited-edition works, experimental installations, and innovative cross-disciplinary collaborations, bringing together emerging and established artists, designers, and galleries.

Dubai Editions has captivated collectors and creatives alike, from striking sculptural pieces and immersive experiences to exclusive commissions that blur the boundaries between art and design. Here, we explore the standout moments, must-see exhibits, and the artists shaping the future of the region’s cultural scene.

See below key highlights and personal favourites from the inaugural fair.

Rarares Gallery

The name “Rarares” derives from the Latin term “rarus,” meaning rarity and uniqueness—an apt title for this Dubai-based gallery renowned for showcasing artists who push the boundaries of contemporary and sculptural art.

At the inaugural Editions fair, the gallery presented an impressive selection of works, including pieces by Valeria Isyak, a Ukrainian ceramic artist celebrated for her exquisite ceramic wall panels. Her creations, previously exhibited at prestigious international art and design events such as PAD London, continue to captivate audiences with their intricate craftsmanship and striking visual impact.

Adding a dynamic contrast to the stand, Norwegian artist MA$ARATI infused the space with bold colour, energy, and playfulness. His canvas works depict a surreal world teeming with abstract figures, animals, and fragments of everyday life. Bursting with spontaneous expression, his art delves into raw human emotions—love, empathy, anger, and loneliness—translating them into vibrant compositions that invite deep reflection.

John Martin Gallery / Taste Contemporary

John Martin Gallery collaborated with Taste Contemporary Geneva at this year's fair to present a striking collection of works by renowned contemporary artists Ptolemy Mann, Uwe Walther, and Virginia Leonard.

Mann’s work immediately commands attention, showcasing a masterful interplay of colour flowing across the canvases in dynamic harmony. Often described as chromatic minimalism, her work is profoundly influenced by Abstract Expressionism and architectural forms, resulting in structured and expressive compositions.

Walther’s pieces explore the classical tradition of landscape painting, seamlessly integrating the cartographic nature of maps. His use of tempera interacts beautifully with the printed filigree of the map’s surface, creating a delicate balance between two distinct perspectives—one, a bird’s-eye view meant to be examined closely, and the other, a landscape that reveals itself fully when viewed from a distance.

Leonard’s sculptural works were an undeniable focal point of the stand, drawing me in with their raw power and emotional depth. These self-portraits confront themes of bodily trauma and chronic pain stemming from injuries she sustained in a serious motorbike accident in London in 1986, which left her hospitalised for two years. From profound suffering, she has created something strikingly beautiful—works that invite both admiration and contemplation.

Mark Hachem Gallery

Mark Hachem Gallery captivated passersby with a striking showcase of colourful, three-dimensional wall art and sculptures by a diverse roster of artists, including José Margulis, Patrick Hughes, Yves Hayat, Ihab Ahmad, Yoshiyuki Miura, Ben Abou Nassif, Daniel Samper, Michelangelo Bastiani, Rafael Barrios, and Betty Yaghi.

Among the standout works were those by José Margulis, a contemporary Venezuelan artist known for exploring the boundaries between two- and three-dimensional space. By combining photography, digital printing, and precisely layered acrylic sheets, Margulis creates illusionistic compositions where volume, space, and light seem to shift before the viewer’s eyes.

Also commanding attention was the work of Rafael Barrios, a Venezuelan sculptor and a leading figure in the kinetic art movement. Barrios’ sculptures are characterised by their dynamic movement, bold colours, and geometric forms. By incorporating mirrors and reflective surfaces, his pieces refract light in mesmerising ways, producing intricate patterns of movement and colour. More than merely visually striking, his sculptures invite interaction, encouraging viewers to engage with them through a sense of playfulness and discovery.

Aassttiinn

Aassttiinn seamlessly blends art installation with design curation, creating a breathtaking and thought-provoking display at Editions. Curated by Made in Tehran, the visionary behind POST INTERIOR, the exhibition pushes the boundaries of traditional design, transporting us beyond the four walls of a living space and into the untamed wilderness—both literally and conceptually.

The carefully selected furniture and design pieces in this curation draw inspiration from the ever-changing forms of the natural world, capturing the surreal beauty of an open sky, a vast plain, or the shifting landscapes beyond familiar interiors. The display redefines our perception of space through organic shapes and evocative materials, blurring the lines between nature and design.

Hestia Gallery

Founded by French gallerists Robin Corcos and Guillaume Andreani, Hestia is dedicated to bridging the gap between classical and contemporary aesthetics, curating a collection that celebrates exceptional craftsmanship and artistic innovation.

At Editions, the gallery’s stunning stand captivated visitors with a harmonious interplay of fluid forms and rich textures. Each carefully curated piece, from lighting to consoles and tables, blurred the boundaries between functional design and sculptural artistry. The result was a mesmerising display where practicality met poetic expression, reinforcing Hestia’s commitment to redefining modern elegance through timeless craftsmanship.

KAMEH

Visitors to Editions couldn't overlook KAMEH’s striking stand – a stunning monochrome exhibit dedicated to the KAMEH 0.5 editions, which feature a limited series of five chairs. This collection takes inspiration from the timeless sentiment of John Muir: "Into the forest, I go to lose my mind and find my soul." By employing artisanal wood-burning techniques, the collection serves as a deep reflection of the designer’s personal journey. “Before I step into the forest, I often feel burnt out, in search of renewal and inspiration. This feeling of being 'burnt out' closely parallels the transformation and rediscovery I undergo in nature,” explains KAMEH. Each chair in the KAMEH 0.5 editions is carefully hand-sculpted from ash wood, ensuring that every piece is unique. Furthermore, each design is limited to just 10 pieces.

Inloco

Inloco (from the Latin ‘in place’ or ‘in the right place’) is a private cultural institution dedicated to urban art, phygital practices, and site-specific works. The project focuses on collecting and showcasing art by contemporary artists with an urban art background. During Editions, Inloco presented a selection of exclusive, limited-edition pieces by Karim Jabbari, Dr. Khaled Alawadi, Neda Salmanpour, Fatum, Filippo Minelli, Lokher, and Selone. A standout piece at the stand was Neda Salmanpour’s ‘Sandscapes,’ created in collaboration with Inloco. Inspired by the striking red sand of Mleiha, Sharjah, ‘Sandscapes’ captures the fluid movement and ever-changing form of sand through geometric expression.

Dubai Editions 2024: Key Highlights from the Inaugural Art Fair During Dubai Design Week