Frieze fuelled London's art boom and now the stage is set for Abu Dhabi

When Frieze first launched in London's Regent's Park in 2003, the city was experiencing a creative renaissance but still lacked a major contemporary art fair to match its global standing. The decade prior had seen influential artists like Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst challenge traditional notions of art, sparking grassroots exhibitions in unconventional spaces.

However, London's art community remained insular. Two events, the opening of Tate Modern in 2000 and the inception of Frieze in 2003, solidified London's place in the global contemporary art scene. With Frieze Abu Dhabi approaching, comparisons can be drawn between the two cities. While London's museums at Saadiyat Cultural District have fostered connections between local artists and international institutions, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a hub for art market activity across West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia.

Dyala Nusseibeh, director of Frieze Abu Dhabi, likened the impact of Frieze on London's art landscape to what she expects for Abu Dhabi. In London, Frieze Week transformed the city's art scene, bringing galleries, artists, and professionals together. Frieze Abu Dhabi, scheduled from November 19 to 22 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, aims to replicate this effect.

Unlike the familiar Abu Dhabi Art fair, which concluded its 17th edition last year, Frieze Abu Dhabi will be a fresh experience. Nusseibeh emphasized that the fair is community-focused, committed to serving both local and regional art communities. Abu Dhabi has become the sixth city to join Frieze's network, following New York and Seoul.

The fair will host 84 galleries, many of which hail from the Global South, reflecting the region's increasing influence. Notable UAE galleries participating include Carbon 12, Lawrie Shabibi, The Third Line, Tabari Artspace, and Iris Projects, alongside Saudi Arabia's Athr and Hafez Gallery, Lebanon's Saleh Barakat Gallery and Galerie Tanit, Cairo's Gypsum and ArtTalks | Kanafani Gallery, and Tunisia's A. Gorgi Gallery, Elmarsa Gallery, Selma Feriani, and Le Violon Bleu Gallery.

International galleries like Gagosian, Pace Gallery, Thaddaeus Ropac, Timothy Taylor, and Vito Schnabel Gallery will also participate. While the number of galleries participating in Frieze Abu Dhabi is fewer than in its predecessor, the selection process was more rigorous, ensuring a curated experience. The fair will feature solo exhibitions by established regional artists like Ibrahim El-Salahi, Farideh Lashai, Mounirah Mosly, and Samir Rafi, as well as international figures such as Emily Kam Kngwarray, Francesco Clemente, and Sheila Hicks.

Special sections, such as the Focus section for emerging galleries and Frieze Masters Abu Dhabi, curated by Marika Sardar, will showcase works by artists like Tahir Karmali and Nasser. The fair's programming emphasizes global integration and knowledge distribution, fostering connections between the UAE and the wider region.