Dubai to host inaugural Global Art Fair in March

Artland India, a Mumbai-based art enterprise that organises prestigious art shows across various Indian metropolises, is hosting the inaugural edition of Global Art Fair (GAF), a novel initiative to promote contemporary art in the Middle East and Asia, in Dubai.

John Douglas - In search of light, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas

The event will take place from March 12 to 15, 2015, at The Oberoi Business Bay, located in Business Bay, Dubai's flourishing commercial and entrepreneurial hub.

Asit Patnaik - luminosity of desire, oil and acrylic on canvas,

Sunil Chauhan, Director and Curator - Artland India, said, "As Dubai gets ready for World Expo 2020, there is unprecedented growth across all sectors, and Arts are no exception. There is demand for all genres of good art here. With the UAE encouraging and promoting arts and artists in a big way, Dubai seemed the perfect choice of location to launch our ambitious new project."

Madhusudan Kumar- Golden Raaga, oil on canvas

GAF was conceived as an experimental platform where aspiring artists can share space with renowned names, and reputed Indian galleries with locally established ones. Timed to provide maximum exposure to participating artists, the event will precede Art Dubai and coincide with Sharjah Biennale when art tourism in the UAE is at its peak.

Satish Gujral , oil on canvas

"Artland has been working closely with established and emerging artists in India for the past 15 years, and has been extremely successful in showcasing their works to a wider audience.  We believe that the time is right for us to spread our footprint outside the country, and GAF will be the first step in the direction,” added Chauhan.

Shubrota Gangopadhay- Folk Dance, Oil On Canvas

Dubai will witness over 50 artists from the UAE, India, Taiwan and USA participating in the pilot GAF along with reputed galleries like Art Indus, Delhi, Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai, Gallery Time and Space, Bangalore.

Among the artists who will participate are Asit Patnaik and Vijender Sharma from Delhi, Madhusudan Kumar and Anand Panchal from Mumbai, Sumito Gangopadhyay and Subroto Das from Kolkata.

Subroto Das, lover

GAF will also host works of world renowned artists including MF Hussain, NS Bendre, Akbar Padamsee, Satish Gujral and Yusuf Arakkal. 

Senior artist Madhusudan Kumar said: “I have a very positive feeling about the Global Art Fair which can serve as a great platform for contemporary art. In fact, I am especially thrilled that a lot of emerging artists will be participating along with the established names, thus giving international exposure to new talent. This is an unprecedented effort to showcase art to art enthusiasts, connoisseurs as well as collectors who will have a wide and interesting range of works to choose from.”

Sunil Das, Charcol on paper

Delhi-based Asit Patnaik, who is a semi-realist figurative painter, said: “Indian contemporary art is receiving great appreciation abroad. The younger artists from the country are also doing very good work. Even though my works have been displayed in Dubai before, this is the first time I will be personally participating, and am keenly looking forward to the Global Art Fair.”

Vijender Sharma, Oil on Canvas

Vinood sharm - Rockscape, oil on canvas

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