A Delayed Art Dubai Opens With Fewer Galleries—but Buyers Abound
Art Dubai’s 20th edition opened to VIPs at Madinat Jumeirah after being delayed from mid-April amid regional geopolitical disruption following an April 8 ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The fair presented about 50 largely regional galleries—roughly 60% fewer than the approximately 120 exhibitors originally expected—yet drew strong attendance from collectors across the Gulf and wider Middle East. Dubai dealer Charles Pocock of Meem Gallery said the fair refunded booth costs and shifted to a pay-only-if-you-sell model, and the event was free to enter for the first time. Despite economic uncertainty linked to the conflict, the opening-day mood was upbeat, and galleries and collectors from Lebanon also participated.
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This story was covered in Auction Fever, Restitution Fights, and Workers Rising