Art Dubai Opens With Its Own Pace: A Fair That’s ‘Not About Fighting to Win the Waiting List’

Art Dubai Opens With Its Own Pace: A Fair That’s ‘Not About Fighting to Win the Waiting List’

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in On Balance, the ARTnews newsletter about the art market and beyond. Sign up here to receive it every Wednesday. Art Dubai opened to VIPs on Wednesday with all the familiar trappings of a global art fair—VIPs in sunglasses, polished presentations, branded lanyards, and an ocean of champagne. Though the fair opened at 2 p.m.—later than the usual 11 a.m. or noon—the exhibition hall didn’t truly fil…

What’s on: Our pick of some of the best exhibitions to see during Art Dubai

Contemporary and performance art, plus a sprawling survey of sub-Saharan art are all on offer during the fair

The Rise of Contemporary African Art in a Global Market

By Marelize van Zyl, CEO at Aspire Art   The art historical narrative, traditionally skewed towards Western perspectives, has long undervalued African art, limiting its global visibility and appreciation. This trend, however, has changed as collectors from around the world increasingly appreciate African art’s rich history and significance. While the contemporary African art market’s dollar value remains small compared to other regions, it has e…