US EditionArt Basel Qatar Prepares to Upend the Traditional Fair Model With a New Artist-Led Format
DOHA MUNICIPALITY, QATAR, JUL 9 – Wael Shawky leads Art Basel Qatar's first edition with a unique format emphasizing solo artist presentations and regional narratives from Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.
- Art Basel Qatar is set to debut from February 5 to 7, 2026, at the M7 creative hub located in Doha’s Design District, preceded by exclusive preview events held on February 3 and 4.
- The event is launched amid escalating cultural investments in the region and introduces a novel art fair concept led by Wael Shawky, who serves as the artistic director.
- The fair replaces conventional booths with an open format called Becoming, where galleries showcase individual artist presentations unified by a common curatorial theme that highlights research and storytelling.
- Vincenzo de Bellis emphasized their aim to break away from conventional art fair models while maintaining the essence of a fair, highlighting a greater focus on artistic vision rather than solely on market expectations.
- This artist-led format suggests a significant change in how art fairs operate and spotlights the MENA region’s rising role in global art and culture systems.
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Wael Shawky named artistic director of Art Basel Qatar
Event will run from February 5 to 7
·Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Art Basel will open its first edition in Doha in February 2026. The fair will feature a new, theme-based format with solo presentations and will appoint Egyptian artist Wael Shawky as artistic director.
Wael Shawky Has Been Appointed Artistic Director of Art Basel Qatar, and Other News – SURFACE
Plus Bonhams prepares to host a major 'Downton Abbey' auction, and a Santiago Calatrava sporting facility has been completed. Wael Shawky. Courtesy of Art Basel Artist Wael Shawky will preside over Art Basel's new Qatar edition as artistic director. Wael Shawky will serve as artistic director of Art Basel's first Qatar edition, which opens in […]
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