Alserkal Avenue is one of the leading contenders in the art scene in the UAE. Located in Al-Quoz, it is an open area filled with warehouses that house galleries, artist hubs, and thriving young adults floating around eager to express their creativity. With the avenue being engulfed in the world of contemporary art, galleries from all around the world have opened up in Al Serkal, allowing it to be the melting pot of the art scene in Dubai.
Not only is Alserkal the home to a diverse list of galleries, it is also home to many innovative art spaces and projects. To name a few, there are: Cinema Akil, a theatre which transports you back in time to experience cinema in simpler, more old-timey fashion, General 3am, an area that hosts events for artists to network as well as showcase and sell their designs, and Ishara Art Foundation, a non profit organization which uses its platform to amplify the voices of South Asian artists.
Alserkal also has many cafés and restaurants to browse through and try out such as KAVE: The Story of Things, which is a healthy foods dine in café that doesn’t fail to include the aspects of the comfortable art space in Alserkal as the café hosts many workshops that include getting to know different art media.
For more information, visit: https://alserkal.online/alserkal-avenue
Curated below, is a list of 10 galleries that you cannot miss when visiting Alserkal Avenue.
1. Lawrie Shabibi
Lawrie Shabibi hosts a plethora of art exhibits including both historical and contemporary art. Open from Sundays to Thursdays from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Saturdays from 11 am to 6 pm, there is always an exhibit to see showcasing young, contemporary artists, in the MENA region. The gallery was founded by Will Lawrie and Asmaa Shabibi and they’ve created a perfect combination of art in the MENA region while also being able to include international artists in their gallery roster.
For more information, visit:
@lawrieshabibi or https://www.lawrieshabibi.com/
2. Firetti Contemporary
Firetti contemporary is a one of a kind gallery the has a sole focus on sustainability within the art scene. It is a space of multidisciplinary artworks from all over the world curated cohesively in one showroom, yet still recognizing each artists individuality. The gallery perfectly aligns with Dubai’s strive for sustainability, weaving its values of social awareness within the society in Dubai. Firetti is open from Saturdays to Thursdays at 11 am to 7 pm.
For more information, visit:
@firetti.contemporary or https://www.firetticontemporary.com/
3. Gulf Photo Plus
Gulf Photo Plus holds a large cult following for being an exclusively photography based center in Dubai. It is the first and only of its kind in the art society of Dubai. The specialty of this gallery is the inclusion of workshops and a long list of diverse events and exhibits. Although it is exclusive in medium, being a place for only photography, it is highly inclusive of beginners and professionals in the photography world to explore and showcase their talents. GPP can be visited from Saturdays to Thursdays at 10 am to 7 pm.
For more information, visit:
@gulfphotoplus or https://gulfphotoplus.com/
4. Leila Heller Gallery
Leila Heller Gallery is the first of gallery holding an international title opening in Al Serkal. Having a showroom in New York as well allows for an internationally executed gallery that hosts artists from many walks of life. It is certainly interesting to take a look at such an internationally curated gallery. The galleries roster holds many household names in both the international and local realm. Leila Heller is open from Saturdays to Thursdays from 10 am to 7 pm.
For more information, visit:
@leilahellergallery or http://www.leilahellergallery.com/
5. Custot Gallery Dubai
Custot gallery holds some of the most renowned contemporary artists in the international art world as it was founded by French gallerist and art dealer, Stéphane Custot. The gallery is a great visit for art fiends to find the works of their favorite modern artists. Customs hours are, on Saturdays, from 10 am to 7 pm, and on Mondays to Thursdays also 10 am to 7 pm.
For more information, visit:
@custotdubai or https://www.custotgallerydubai.ae/
6. Elmarsa Gallery
Elmarsa gallery focuses solely on North African art, with a greater attention to Tunisian art specifically. Open from 10 am to 7 pm Saturdays through Thursdays, it hosts North African artists with a large local platform, in a place where they don’t have as big a platform, Dubai. The gallery was founded in Tunis, and later opened a showroom in Dubai in 2015.
For more information, visit:
@elmarsagallery or http://galerielmarsa.com/
7. Zawyeh Gallery
Zawyeh gallery was originally founded in Palestine in 2013 and is a voice for Palestinian artists to showcase their talents in exhibits which focus on Palestinian heritage, roots, and history. Holding a large importance in the Dubai art society, the artists of Zawyeh creatively narrate the story of Palestine. The gallery is open Sundays to Thursdays from 10 am to 7 pm and on Saturdays, 12 pm to 7 pm.
For more information, visit:
8. 1×1 Art Gallery
1×1 was founded by Malini Gulrajani in 1996. It showcases south asian talents to the Dubai community. It is mainly focused on both emerging and established contemporary artists within the south asian diaspora. The gallery holds many collaborative projects with artists in order to amplify the Dubai art community. They have a strong focus in art publications, allowing them to work with both artists and art writers. It is open Saturdays through Thursdays from 11 am to 8 pm.
For more information, visit:
@1x1artgallery or http://www.1x1artgallery.com/
9. Green Art Gallery
Green Art Gallery focuses on artists that base their media on meticulously curated research and ideas. It is a space for the most important contemporary Arab artists. The gallery seeks multi generational artists in order to showcase the transformations of the art scene within the MENA region as well as the South-Asian region. It is open from Saturdays to Thursdays from 10 am to 7 pm.
For more information, visit:
@greenartgallerydubai or https://www.gagallery.com/
10. Ayyam Gallery
Ayyam gallery is based in Beirut, Lebanon and in Dubai, UAE. It houses many established artists as well as many emerging artists that are just starting out in the Dubai art community. It holds a great international experience as the gallery holds many collaborative projects with international artists. Along with contemporary art, Ayyam holds a strong value in art history. The gallery is open from 10 am to 6 pm from Sundays to Thursdays, and on Saturdays from 12 pm to 6 pm.
For more information, visit:
@ayyamgallery or http://www.ayyamgallery.com/
All these galleries, among many more sprouted throughout Alserkal, are a must see for your next visit to Dubai, or on your arts devoured weekends!
