New Platform for Galleries and Artists to Bridge Market Gap with Affordable Works for Seasoned Art Lovers and Budding Collector

‘Art for all’ as More than 100 Galleries and Artists from 25 Countries Descend on Dubai

Monday 23rd February 2015 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A unique fusion of art, education and entertainment, World Art Dubai - a new and affordable art fair concept designed to unite global artists with Dubai’s international community – is poised to further accentuate the city’s growing prominence as a leading culture and arts hub when it debuts at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from April 8-11.

Catering for all art lovers, buyers and collectors, World Art Dubai will house an affordable collection of several hundred modern and contemporary works – comprising paintings and prints, photography, sculpture and urban art elements – amassed from international artists and galleries across four continents.
The accessible art fair will give budding and established collectors, as well as just the curious, the opportunity to embark on an enchanting visual experience and walk away with original, international art - regardless of their budget.

“World Art Dubai represents an entirely new proposition for the region and, as a concept, will support the universal principle that art is for everyone,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “There is a notable gap in the regional market for an affordable art fair which caters to a growing domestic demand for affordable art among new collectors and young, savvy investors.

“With highly-desirable pieces courted regionally and internationally by both seasoned art collectors and first-time buyers, World Art Dubai has the potential to evolve a currently niche segment into a major annual exhibition. We anticipate the event will attract thousands of culturally-aware locals, expatriates and tourists eager to explore, engage and buy new art, join masterclasses and workshops, and experience art-house shorts, live music and street art demonstrations throughout the four-day event.”

More than 100 local, regional and international galleries and artists are already onboard for the inaugural World Art Dubai, which will feature hip-and-happening galleries from more than 25 countries including Argentina, Armenia, Belgium, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Germany, Greece, Haiti, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Mauritius, Nigeria, Oman, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE, the USA and Vietnam.
Highlights include exclusive showings by trend-setting, award-winning art institutions from across Europe, North American and Asia, including: TNK Art Gallery - Russia’s oldest fine art gallery, Villa Del Arte Galleries – voted best gallery by Time Out Barcelona 2013, Able Fine Art – the brainchild of Korea’s biggest art collector with spaces in New York and Korea, Emmanuel Fremin – voted New York’s best young gallery by MOCA Art Foundation in 2013, Letitia Gallery – the UAE gallery renowned for Middle Eastern antiquities and fine art, and Tokyo’s Biken International – an institution celebrated around the world for fostering talented, young Japanese artists.

“The collections showcased at World Art Dubai will feature pieces spanning a diverse price range to appeal to the widest possible demographic of potential buyers – not simply institutional collectors,” added LohMirmand. “We’re aiming to collect a like-minded community of global art stakeholders to engage with local audiences and help develop the talent of a new and economically-vertical art-buying and art-producing public. By appealing to a wide community of potential art lovers, World Art Dubai will help emerging artists develop dedicated followings, empower up-and-coming art buyers, build a new demographic of specialist, lifelong collectors, and further diversify Dubai’s ever-expanding arts scene. This event is an exciting asset in Dubai’s development of a sustainable arts and cultural infrastructure.”

With a wide-ranging programme featuring numerous form-specific workshops, artist-led talks, seminars and dedicated educational platforms for children, World Art Dubai will also feature live music, DJs and hospitality areas. The event debuts 8-11 April, 2015, at DWTC.