Check out these shows from local and international artists.
We’re calling it: Alserkal Avenue is the art hub of Dubai. The streets are bursting with an impressive range of galleries, workshops and concept stores, all ready to provide you with a culture fix. To keep the momentum going, Alserkal Art Week is returning to the emirate.
Taking place from 13 to 20 April, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai’s leading creative hub in Al Quoz, will once again transform into an epicentre of contemporary art, creativity, and dialogue for Alserkal Art Week. Expect a mix of exhibitions, public art installations, talks, and performances that will spark your imagination.
This year’s theme, A Wild Stitch, dives into the messy, multi-layered nature of today’s world. It’s all about embracing complexity and voices that don’t fit into standardised boxes. Expect bold conversations, alternative narratives, and plenty of surprises.
The highlight of Alserkal Art Week is a show by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi at Concrete, curated by Nada Raza. In this work, Imran Qureshi blends video, photography, painting, and installation to blur perspectives. His work beautifully captures the layered cityscapes of South Asia — think Mughal and Sikh architecture colliding with modern design.
Moving on, new public art commissions will pop up at Alserkal Avenue as well. Under the theme and inspiration of Between a Beach and Slope — a poem by Emirati artist Nujoom Alghanem — Fatos Ustek has curated this display. Highlights here will include Indian artist Shilpa Gupta’s light sculpture.
Hector Zamora’s performance-installation Existence-emitting Movements will also be on the agenda. Featuring performers interacting with vessels, this show will complement the artist’s display at Art Dubai and its ongoing collaboration with Alserkal Avenue.
Now, we know that art is subjective, but what happens when art enthusiasts get together under one roof to debate? Majlis Talks, curated by Stephanie Bailey, will bring together a set of artists, tackling questions about the art scene in the UAE.
Several galleries will also be displaying their groundbreaking work as part of Alserkal Art Week. These include Efie Gallery spotlighting Cuban artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons’ work exploring migration and ancestral memory, Zawyeh Gallery showcasing British-Palestinian artist Bashir Makhoul’s piece, Ayyam Gallery displaying Baghdad’s landscapes by Iraqi-Palestinian artist Sama Alshaibi, Leila Heller Gallery representing Iranian artist Reza Derakshani and much more.
Beyond installations and exhibitions, Alserkal Art Week will also feature a lineup of artist talks, live workshops, film screenings and much more, offering plenty to dive in.
Best of all, most of the exhibitions are free. So, when you need a break from painting the town, spend those dirhams at the local favourites like Bkry, LILA Molino, NALA and the FACT award-winning Nightjar Coffee Roasters.
GO: Visit https://alserkal.online for more information.