Frieze comes to Abu Dhabi with global vision for Arab art, chief executive says
For more than two decades, Frieze has helped shape the international art calendar. What began as a London fair has grown into a global network, bringing leading galleries and collectors together in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Seoul. Now, Frieze is making its first move into the Middle East, bringing one of the art world’s most recognisable names to Abu Dhabi. When the fair opens at…
Frieze, the globally recognized art fair, is set to make its debut in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step for the Middle Eastern art scene, according to Simon Fox, the fair's CEO. This is Frieze's first venture into the region, following years of participation in Middle Eastern art fairs. The fair will kick off at Manarat Al Saadiyat on November 19, building on the groundwork laid by Abu Dhabi Art, which has been showcasing galleries and collectors in the city since 2005.
Fox believes the fair will attract more international collectors to the UAE, fostering closer ties between regional artists and audiences abroad. The timing of Frieze Abu Dhabi's arrival coincides with a period of growth for Abu Dhabi's cultural scene, as evidenced by the opening of the Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, all on Saadiyat Island.
The fair will feature 89 exhibitors, a smaller number than last year's Abu Dhabi Art fair, allowing for a more intimate and focused experience. Fox emphasizes the importance of listening to local voices and ensuring the fair is of the region, while also expressing interest in expanding its presence year-round, similar to Abu Dhabi Art's annual exhibitions.
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