Frieze Abu Dhabi unveils exhibitor list of 84 galleries for inaugural edition

Frieze is extending its global footprint with the launch of its first fair in the WANASA region—West Asia, North Africa and South Asia. Frieze Abu Dhabi will run from November 19 to 22, 2026, at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island's Cultural District, picking up the mantle from Abu Dhabi Art, which had anchored the local scene for seventeen years. The fair is organized in partnership with Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, under the direction of Diyala Nusseibeh.

The exhibitor list released this week includes 84 galleries from 37 countries and territories and 64 cities. The main Galleries section brings together more than sixty exhibitors from 32 countries and territories, showing works ranging from the mid-20th century to the present. Galleries based in the WANASA region feature prominently: Carbon 12, Lawrie Shabibi, The Third Line, Tabari Artspace and Iris Projects from the UAE; Athr and Hafez Gallery from Saudi Arabia; Gypsum from Egypt; and Experimenter, Jhaveri Contemporary, Nature Morte and Project 88 from India.

Alongside them sit major international names, including Thaddaeus Ropac, Timothy Taylor, Victoria Miro, Perrotin and Galleria Continua from Europe, Gagosian and Pace from the United States, and Johyun Gallery (South Korea), Gajah Gallery (Singapore), Rossi & Rossi and Hanart TZ Gallery (Hong Kong) from East and Southeast Asia.

A dedicated section for younger galleries, Focus, will showcase experimental solo and two-person presentations, with each participating gallery receiving a grant. Announced highlights include a solo presentation of Tahir Karmali by New York's Management, Marigold Santos by Toronto/Montreal's Patel Brown, and Dala Nasser by Los Angeles's Commonwealth and Council.

The launch comes amid rapid growth in Abu Dhabi's cultural infrastructure, with the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi slated to open in December. The new fair underscores Frieze's strategy of expanding into regional markets—following Seoul—while positioning Abu Dhabi as a hub linking West Asia, North Africa and South Asia with the wider art world.

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Written by the ADM desk based on 美術手帖. Read the original article for the full story.