Why is India’s art world heading to Dubai this weekend?

Between Middle Eastern, Subcontinental, South East Asian and other such geo tags, art tends to be neatly labelled into bordered pockets across Asia. And while, of course, a shared cultural and even historical experience is undeniable, these tightly constructed boundaries have been guided by an overarching Euro-centric gaze when it comes to International art—that is finally dissipating into a more global gaze. With over 90 galleries from 41 countries, the 13th edition of Art Dubai promises to be a truly international and diverse experience.

“For this year’s edition, we’ve made some changes to the layout of the fair, general look and feel and added new content to give visitors an interconnected experience,” says Pablo de Val, artistic director of Art Dubai. The ‘Residents programme’ hosts artists from Latin America, creating a unique cross-cultural dialogue across distinct geographies. While ‘Bawwaba’, probes into artistic currents across the Global South, even as emerging and alternative artists from the region find a platform at ‘UAE Now’. Even their performance programme, includes carnival designer and artist Marlon Griffiths who has created a performance piece for the fair, with 150 performers from Dubai’s Filipino community.

In the age of instant everything, art has begun hopping across borders, even as the likes and shares increase. This, along with the many art fairs and biennales, sprouting across this side of the world, have made collectors in India realise that the art markets next door, are exciting and even relatable. And over the last few years a dialogue seems to be developing between these various factions of Asian art. “India and Middle East have always had extensive ties and even share a strong aesthetic relationship. Art exhibited in Dubai is largely from South Asia and MENASA, and it gives a great opportunity for Indian collectors to understand what’s happening within the region, allowing them to expand their collections and seek works that resonate,” says patron and collector Shalini Passi.

But it’s not just Indian collectors who have their eye on Art Dubai, we’re also witnessing an increased participation from Indian galleries and artists. Artist Shezad Dawood, who has already created a stir at the Sharjah Biennale with his presentation, earning a special mention at the Sharjah Biennale 14 Prize, will be the only artist on exhibit at Jhaveri Contemporary, from Mumbai. While Kolkata’s Experimenter gallery brings together sculptural works from the late Krishna Reddy, alongside Praneet Soi’s multi-layered brilliance and Julien Segard’s fine architectural works. But it’s not just the Indian contemporary scene engaging, alongside DAG; Dhoomimal Gallery, one of India’s oldest galleries will be curating a collection of India’s Modernist Masters for the fair for the first time. Here are more galleries from India to look forward to at Art Dubai:

Art Dubai 2019 will take place from March 20-23, 2019 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai (Artdubai.ae)