The region’s art and design scene will come to life this month with a dynamic mix of exhibitions celebrating tradition, innovation, and global perspectives.
From art installations in the UAE to contemporary retrospectives in Riyadh, this season’s curated showcases promise to captivate art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Where: Diriyah Art Futures, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
What to expect: The Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World brings the region’s digital past into sharp focus. Through 70 works by over 40 artists, the exhibition explores how Arab creatives have harnessed and subverted technology to forge bold, new visual languages. From glitch aesthetics to speculative ecologies, the show, curated by Haytham Nawar and Ala Younis, unpacks decades of innovation. Highlights include Joe Namy’s sonic car performance and workshops by Susan Hefuna and Namy himself. Maknana is set to be a dynamic chronicle of the Arab world’s evolving dialogue with machine and memory.
Until: July 19
Visit daf.moc.gov.sa
Where: Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, UAE
What to expect: The Promise by Bashir Makhoul is a compelling exploration of displacement, identity, and memory. As a Palestinian artist, Bashir’s work often delves into themes of exile and belonging. The Promise reflects his engagement with political narratives, using striking visuals and immersive installations to evoke historical and contemporary struggles. His thought-provoking art challenges viewers to reconsider their perspectives on land, loss, and the meaning of home.
Until: June 30
Visit alserkal.online
Where: Museum of Islamic Art, Doha
What to expect: A Seat at the Table: Food & Feasting in the Islamic World explores early Islam’s culinary traditions. Featuring over 100 objects, it traces trade, etiquette and courtly culture. Divided into five sections, the exhibition includes chef-led videos showcasing dishes that reflect diverse culinary heritages across the Islamic world.
Until: November 8
Visit mia.org.qa
Where: CARBON 12, Warehouse 37, Alserkal Avenue
What to expect: In Garden of Murmurs, Malik Thomas Jalil Kydd reflects on self-identity and desire through large-scale depictions. Bridging painting, drawing, and fibre art, his work explores his Iraqi heritage, weaving a poetic dialogue between material, form, and culture with introspective and tactile sensitivity.
Until: August 23
Visit alserkal.online
