Art Dubai Commissions will complement Bawwaba gallery in the upcoming edition of the fair

At the centre of Art Dubai’s not-for-profit programme is Art Dubai Commissions, a platform that invites artists to produce site-specific works, as a means to support artistic production by local and international artists and further enhance the cultural landscape.

In 2024, Art Dubai Commissions will feature a series of new performances, films and activations focusing on topics of hope, community and the power of art to help us navigate challenging times. Complementing Art Dubai’s Bawwaba gallery section, and curated by Emiliano Valdes, participating artists hail from the Global South, and will explore various aspects of the healing process, creating spaces for contemplation and introspection, socially oriented practices that engage with local communities as well as creating nurturing and liberating experiences.

Debashish Paul, 1994, Me with My Pet. Courtesy of the artist and Emami Art

“In my view, art has the potential to lead to a deeper understanding of the self and the world. With the theme “Sanación / Healing”, I aim to foreground artistic expressions at Bawwaba that look at art as a space for reflection and healing, connecting us to a broader social purpose and a channel towards change. The underlying concept is that the journey toward societal and global improvement starts from within. Understanding the self can create connections with others, society and the universe at large. The exhibition will highlight artists from the Global South, but also narratives of traditional craftsmanship, folklore and rituals presented across various artistic mediums that recuperate organic and ancestral ways of relating to the world. They visualise how people continue to make sense of the world and our role in it, especially during times of spiritual, communal and political challenges.” – Emiliano Valdés, Curator of Bawwaba 2024.

This year’s event will be taking place at Madinat Jumeirah between March 1 and 3 with previews being held on February 28 and 29. The event will host almost two dozen local galleries, a record number.