Art & Exhibitions
Explore the dynamic art scene of the Middle East with Martyn White UAE. From major exhibitions and emerging regional talent to gallery highlights and cultural commentary, this Art section celebrates the creativity, innovation, and vision shaping contemporary art across the region. Discover the artists, practices, and spaces that define the Middle East’s vibrant cultural landscape, connecting tradition with modernity and local narratives with global dialogue.
Expo 2020, Dubai - Singapore Pavilion
With an abundance of plant life amid the Dubai desert, the Singapore Pavilion is a sustainable rainforest paradise inspired by the island nation’s nickname: “City in a Garden.”
Expo 2020, Dubai - Bahrain Pavilion
When you live somewhere as densely populated as Bahrain, finding social harmony means learning to fit together, intertwining different cultures and faiths. This is the igniting idea behind the Bahrain Pavilion designed by Architect Christian Kerez, which explores density through the imaginative lens of weaving.
Expo 2020, Dubai - Spain Pavilion
The Spain Pavilion was an open, eco-friendly exhibition that seamlessly blended ancient heritage and cutting-edge innovation. Guests were able to venture underground into a roomy basement, to explore a “forest of the future” exhibition filled with thought-provoking installations and demonstrations of Spain’s contributions to global sustainability.
Expo 2020, Dubai - UK Pavilion
Inspired by one of Stephen Hawking’s final projects, 'Breakthrough Message', the UK Pavilion invited visitors to consider what message we would communicate to express ourselves as a planet should we one day encounter other advanced civilisations in space.
Dubai Design Week 2021: Downtown Design
After presenting a hybrid format in 2020, Downtown Design returned to its d3 waterfront venue, showcasing luxurious design from local and international brands during Dubai Design Week.
Gary Tatinsian Gallery: The Machine Zone, Mat Collishaw
Exhibiting at the Gary Tatinsian Gallery in Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue art district, Mat Collishaw showcases ‘The Machine Zone’, an exhibition presented through optical illusions, paintings, projections and moving sculptures.
Firetti Contemporary Gallery, Dubai
Located within Dubai’s hugely popular art and culture centre, Alserkal Avenue, Firetti Contemporary showcases a vast range of works from established and emerging artists around the globe.
Custot Gallery - Arnaud Rivieren 'Natural Sublime' / Nick Brandt 'The Day May Break'
Custot Gallery presents two exhibitions 'Natural Sublime' by sculptor Arnaud Rivieren and 'The Day May Break' by photographer Nick Brandt.
Dubai Design Week 2018: Downtown Design
Hosting the third edition of its Design Week programme, I had the great privilege of visiting Dubai to experience what the fair had to offer. Showcasing a beautiful curation of local and international design, the week hosted a range of talks, programmes and projects from the design, interiors, art and technology industries. A personal favourite from the week was a section called Downtown Dubai - providing a space for local and international designers to showcase their works.