When the seventh edition of Art Dubai opens in March, the fair will be the largest to date, with 76 galleries from 29 countries taking part. The line-up, which was revealed yesterday, will feature work from spaces in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Europe and America. Adding to the global feel, galleries such as Athr Gallery in Jeddah and Alexander Gray Associates from New York will join new exhibitors Victoria Miro from London and Paris's Yvon Lambert, among others.
According to Antonia Carver, the fair director of Art Dubai, the event was heavily subscribed and as a result, the selection process - conducted by an independent Art Dubai committee - was more rigorous than ever. "Art Dubaihas grown from strength to strength over the course of the past seven years and now truly epitomises the globalised phenomenon that is today's art world," she says. Reflecting the growing local and regional art scene, Art Dubai 2013will showcase the work of more artists from the Arab world than before.
Marker is the curated section of concept stands that focuses on a different theme or landscape each year as a means of showcasing the role Art Dubaiplays in encouraging discovery and cross-cultural exchange. This year it will explore the nature of changing cities through artists from West Africa and will be curated by Bisi Silva of Lagos.
• Art Dubai will take place from March 20-23 at Madinat Jumeirah. For more information visit www.artdubai.ae or follow @artdubai on Twitter.
* Emily Shardlow
