Art Dubai, as a preeminent international art fair in the Middle East, is a dynamic platform that has propelled art from the region onto the global stage, fostering diverse perspectives and transcending traditional Western-centric narratives. By championing discovery and inclusivity, Art Dubai has evolved into one of the most globally diverse art fairs, showcasing not only the cultural richness of the MENASA region but also extending its reach to Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Functioning as a nurturing ground for emerging talent, Art Dubai has catalyzed the careers of countless artists, curators, and professionals in the art world. Through its extensive programming and initiatives, the fair continuously celebrates artistic excellence while collaborating closely with partners to innovate and enrich the cultural landscape.
Embedded within Dubai's vibrant art ecosystem, Art Dubai collaborates closely with key institutions such as the Jameel Arts Centre, Ishara Art Foundation, and Sharjah Art Foundation, among others, contributing to the thriving cultural fabric of the UAE.
Benedetta Ghione has been serving as the Executive Director at Art Dubai, where she spearheads the strategic vision and execution of the fair. Bringing over 15 years of experience in the art industry, Ghione holds both a BA and an MA in the history of art and contemporary art theory. Prior to her tenure at Art Dubai, she held positions as a director at Luxembourg & Dayan gallery (now Luxembourg + Co) and as head of the department for contemporary art at Bonhams auction house. Since joining Art Dubai in 2015, Ghione has prioritized institutional and public engagement, fostering artistic growth, and advancing the fair's professional development and educational endeavors.
On the sideline of the recently concluded fair, Benedetta shared some insights regarding the future of region-based artists and why she thinks the role of Art Dubai is essential in the growth of art in an international context.
Asked what the local and regional talents are doing right and which areas they needed to improve on, Benedetta said, "I think we are reaching a real moment of reckoning and maturity in our local and broader regional art scene. I feel that a number of artists and projects that have been in the works and have been maturing for close to two decades now, as long as the art fair has been running, are coming of age. What I really think is special about our scene is that it has a very authentic feel to it, that the practices of the artists are very much rooted and cited in their reality living in Dubai, in the UAE, and in the broader Gulf. And I think what is really important is that we try and maintain that sense of authenticity as we gain increasing international recognition."
She added, "I feel that the eyes of the world are starting to really be on us as a scene and I hope that what they discover is something that feels fresh and somewhat different from some of the main Western art narratives. My great hope is that we don't lose that kind of point of difference and that we continue to grow in terms of awareness, capacity, and recognition, but at the same time stay true to ourselves."
Benedetta and her team have been instrumental in the impressive growth of the fair and Art Dubai in general. Beyond the fair, Benedetta, in an interview with another publication, shared that "the group now encompasses over 30 initiatives, including Dubai Design Week, the Middle East’s design platform; Downtown Design, the region’s leading design fair with a focus on high quality and original design; Prototypes for Humanity, the world’s largest and most diverse assembly of academics addressing social and environmental challenges, among others. Cumulatively, all these initiatives have played a significant role in building capacity, attracting talent, and opportunities in the creative industries."
Expounding on her observation about local and regional artists, she shared, "I think one of the things that I notice a lot in our local talent is the fact that their practices are usually incubated over a significant amount of time. This is especially true among young artists. There isn't a lot of overnight success here because obviously, in a maturing scene, it takes time for opportunity to come along."
She added, "This means that artists really have the time to refine their practices and to find their voices. To me, one great point of difference is that even artists who are relatively emerging in terms of their age and career are actually very strong in their voice and identity."
For Benedetta, it is crucial for local and regional artists to have a stronger appreciation of their realities. "I feel that what is very special to our scene is the way in which it questions daily life, traditions, archival histories, and the like. The artists here, in a broader context, are also really relevant. They talk of stories and tell stories of lived experience within a region that has a huge amount of richness in terms of cultural history but also a large amount of questioning and reckoning, and all of that really comes through in the work."
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