The atmosphere of Dubai, during those vibrant days from the 18th to the 20th of April, 2025, hummed with an unexpected energy – not just the city’s modern pulse, but a vibrant artistic thrum that drew me into the heart of Art Dubai. As SANTSAR, a painter who seeks stories in history and narrates them through art, this journey felt like stepping into a living canvas. The sheer diversity of the fair was breathtaking, a global tapestry woven with threads from countless cities. Even the ambience seemed to resonate with the melodies of a subtle music program, a gentle soundtrack to this visual feast.
Wandering through the halls over those three inspiring days, each section – Contemporary, Modern, Bawwaba, and Digital – offered a new vista. As a historian immersed in the present, I found myself tracing echoes of the past in modern expressions, while my painter’s eye delighted in the bold strokes and delicate textures. The intricate patterns of Finlogyer illustration spoke to my artistic soul, and the narratives woven into folk art resonated deeply with my own storytelling inclinations. I was particularly moved by the textile art, a tactile language of tradition and innovation that added another layer to the sensory experience during my time there. Bawwaba’s focus on displacement and coexistence sparked profound reflections, the art serving as a poignant reminder of our shared human story. The daring avant-garde pieces jolted my perceptions, pushing the boundaries of what art can be.
My exploration, spanning those enriching days, extended beyond the main halls of Art Dubai to the sprawling landscape of World Art Dubai. Here, the spectrum broadened even further, each compartment a new discovery. I could have spent days lost in what felt like a dedicated textile hub, marveling at the craftsmanship I encountered between the 18th and 20th of April. Throughout both fairs, a powerful theme emerged: the deep connection between humanity and art. The dedication etched on each artist’s work, their diverse perspectives laid bare, fostered a silent yet profound communication that transcended language.
From my polymathic vantage point during this mid-April immersion, the art also spoke volumes about our relationship with the planet. Many artists grappled with environmental concerns, their installations and digital creations serving as both warnings and calls to action. It was fascinating to observe how historical context, artistic expression, and narrative power converged to address such pressing issues. Conversations sparked in every corner, a global dialogue fueled by creativity during those pivotal days.
Leaving Dubai on the evening of April 20th, 2025, my senses were saturated, my mind buzzing with new ideas. This wasn’t just a trip; it was an immersion, a pilgrimage into the heart of global art that unfolded between the 18th and 20th of April. The rhythm of the city, the vibrant colours of the canvases, the stories whispered through sculptures – all have left a lasting impression, a testament to the power of art to transcend borders and connect us on a truly global scale. As SANTSAR, the painter, the narrator, the historian, I carry these experiences with me, ready to weave them into my own creative tapestry, informed by the many corners of the world I have encountered.