Art Dubai remains the most anticipated event for art enthusiasts across the region and beyond. In its 2025 edition, the Contemporary and Bawwaba sections will present powerful photographic installations from emerging regions. The Bawwaba section in particular focuses on artists from the Global South, making it ideal for discovering contemporary voices from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. The fair’s setting at Madinat Jumeirah blends luxury with accessibility, allowing for a visually rich experience. Many exhibitions incorporate digital techniques and augmented reality, a growing trend in Dubai’s photography landscape. Attending Art Dubai also provides insight into market trends and artistic directions in contemporary photography.
Gulf Photo Plus constantly shapes Dubai’s photographic culture
Gulf Photo Plus, often called GPP, operates year-round from its home in Al Quoz. It goes far beyond being a gallery, offering classes, portfolio reviews, and exhibitions. During GPP Photo Week, visitors can attend panels and artist talks that explore documentary, fine art, and experimental photography. The centre’s exhibitions often reflect socio-political themes, addressing identity, memory, and displacement. It’s also a popular space for young photographers based in the UAE who want their work seen in a professionally curated context. By engaging both seasoned professionals and beginners, GPP remains central to Dubai’s photographic voice.
Leila Heller Gallery presents cross-cultural photographic dialogues
Situated in Dubai’s Al Quoz district, Leila Heller Gallery regularly presents works that examine heritage and transformation through the lens of photography. It’s known for bringing internationally recognized names together with regional talents. Past exhibitions have featured mixed media works where photography plays a conceptual or documentary role. What stands out here is how storytelling often merges with visual experimentation. Visitors can expect curated shows that challenge typical notions of borders, religion, or gender. This space fosters dialogue by hosting salons and discussions about how art—and photography in particular—can influence contemporary thought in the Gulf.
Oblong Contemporary explores subconscious visions through photography
Located on Bluewaters Island, Oblong Contemporary is a boutique space with global affiliations. Its most distinctive curatorial approach includes blending photography with sculpture, sound, and painting. The gallery frequently hosts themed group exhibitions where emerging voices are shown alongside established artists. One recent photography-based show dealt with mental landscapes and psychological fragmentation, using double exposures and manipulated negatives. Oblong’s support of photographers exploring surrealism or abstraction adds an emotional layer to Dubai’s otherwise documentary-heavy photography scene. The gallery also partners with European institutions, making it a useful link for those studying global art networks.
Sikka Art Fair encourages experimentation with place and memory
Sikka Art Fair takes place every year in the Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood. It’s organized by Dubai Culture and focuses on emerging Emirati and UAE-based artists. Photographers here often draw from personal archives or urban transformation as their theme. The fair includes installations within wind towers and traditional courtyards, which become part of the artwork’s narrative. Sikka is where visitors will find analog techniques, instant film, and alternative processes being explored. It provides a stark contrast to commercial art venues and fosters a genuine community feel. Sikka also integrates workshops and live critique sessions.
Jameel Arts Centre exhibits thematic and research-driven photography
Located in Jaddaf Waterfront, Jameel Arts Centre offers one of the most intellectually rigorous exhibition programs in Dubai. Photography here is never just an image—it’s a question, a memory, or a confrontation. Shows often examine ecological grief, migration, and architecture. Visitors may encounter archival images paired with contemporary reinterpretations or installations involving moving image and text. The Centre also offers bilingual exhibition texts and a digital archive. Jameel is particularly suited for those who want depth, time, and silence when engaging with photographic works. There is also an adjoining library with regional art publications.
Tashkeel supports process-focused photographic practices
Tashkeel, located in Nad Al Sheba, is a multidisciplinary art space that includes darkroom facilities and residency programs. It encourages slow, process-driven work, often grounded in material experimentation. Photographers using cyanotype, silver gelatin, and hand-tinted prints have found a home here. The annual ‘Made in Tashkeel’ exhibition frequently features photographs that reflect personal narratives or environmental themes. Tashkeel’s residencies allow artists to explore long-form projects without commercial pressure. For visitors, it offers a unique chance to understand photography as both craft and art. It’s a hidden gem for those who love tactile processes.
Foundry at Downtown Dubai blends contemporary style and accessibility
Foundry is a relatively new space within Downtown Dubai, offering rotating exhibitions in a sleek, minimal environment. Photography shows here often merge fashion, architecture, and pop culture. Many of the featured artists are young, global, and socially engaged. The layout of Foundry makes it easy for visitors to explore exhibitions at their own pace. A café and bookstore add to its appeal as a social hub. Foundry regularly collaborates with embassies and cultural attachés, offering a diplomatic layer to its programming. It’s also one of the few spaces in Dubai with a strong Instagram presence.
Alserkal Avenue remains the heartbeat of Dubai’s art scene
No guide would be complete without Alserkal Avenue, a former industrial zone transformed into a cultural complex. It hosts a range of galleries like The Third Line, Carbon 12, and Grey Noise, all of which occasionally feature photography shows. The annual Alserkal Art Week includes site-specific commissions that often incorporate lens-based media. Photography here is cerebral, often tied to conceptual frameworks rather than aesthetic trends. The audience is diverse, from students and critics to collectors and curators. Alserkal is where you feel the pulse of art-making in real time. It’s also a great space for informal artist meetups.
Dubai’s photographic landscape is rich, layered, and constantly evolving
As Dubai grows into a global art capital, its photography scene becomes increasingly multifaceted. From institutions backed by government to artist-run initiatives, the diversity of platforms allows every kind of viewer to find something meaningful. Many exhibitions reflect the region’s shifting urban identity, while others deal with timeless human themes. Photography in Dubai is not only for display—it’s often interactive, mobile, or performative. If you’re seeking the best exhibitions to visit, look beyond the gloss and follow the story the image is telling. And in this city, there’s always a new story waiting to be found.
This article was prepared by the www.few.ae team, dedicated to showcasing the richness of Dubai’s contemporary art and photography scene.
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