Art Basel Qatar will debut in Doha, February 2026, featuring 87 galleries from 31 countries. Curated by Wael Shawky under the theme “Becoming,” the fair reimagines the traditional format, spotlighting leading voices from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia alongside major international galleries.
Art Basel has officially announced the gallery lineup for its much-anticipated Qatar debut, revealing that 87 galleries will participate in the inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar, set to take place from February 5–7, 2026, with Preview Days on February 3–4.
Presented in partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+, this marks Art Basel’s fifth global fair, joining the ranks of its counterparts in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. The Doha edition promises a distinctive curatorial approach that breaks from the traditional booth format, inviting galleries to engage in an open, thematic exhibition model under the artistic direction of Wael Shawky.
Conceived under the curatorial theme “Becoming,” the fair will explore humanity’s constant transformation and the systems that shape how we live, believe, and create meaning. The exhibition will unfold across M7 and the Doha Design District, extending into Msheireb Downtown Doha, the city’s cultural heart.
“The theme ‘Becoming’ is a meditation on change, on how humanity reshapes the ways we live, believe, and create meaning,” said Shawky. “The Gulf lies at the heart of this story, where oral traditions flow into digital networks and ancient trade routes return as new pathways of culture and exchange.”
Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, described the new venture as a natural evolution of the brand’s mission:
“With Art Basel Qatar, we are furthering our mission to be a catalyst for cultural exchange and market growth. Our gallery lineup for year one is thrilling — welcoming diverse new voices to our platform and deepening our engagement with new geographies.”
Art Basel Qatar’s innovative format aims to emphasize storytelling and dialogue over traditional commercial presentation, while still retaining the fair’s strong market orientation. The curatorial approach promises to foster deeper engagement between galleries, artists, and collectors through collaborative narratives rather than isolated booths.
With Visit Qatar as Lead Partner, Art Basel Qatar underscores the vitality of artistic production across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region. Over half of the 84 artists represented hail from this region, affirming Doha’s emerging role as a vibrant hub for cultural exchange.
Participating artists include renowned regional and diasporic figures such as Etel Adnan, Ali Banisadr, Simone Fattal, Meriem Bennani, Ali Cherri, and Iman Issa.Regional participants include Hafez Gallery (Jeddah, Riyadh), Gallery Misr (Cairo), Le Violon Bleu (Tunis), Saleh Barakat Gallery (Beirut), and Tabari Artspace (Dubai) — all showing with Art Basel for the first time.These will sit alongside global powerhouses such as Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, David Zwirner, Pace Gallery, White Cube, and Acquavella Galleries.
The inaugural edition presents an impressive roster of international and regional talent.
Highlights include:
Among the Gulf participants, al markhiya gallery (Doha) will present Bouthayna Al Muftah, while Hafez Gallery showcases Lina Gazzaz and Tabari Artspace presents Hazem Harb. From North Africa, Gallery Misr (Cairo) features Souad Abdelrasoul, and Le Violon Bleu (Tunis) brings works by Farid Belkahia.
International highlights include Jean-Michel Basquiat at Acquavella Galleries, Christo at Gagosian, Philip Guston at Hauser & Wirth, Otto Piene at Sprüth Magers, and Marlene Dumas at David Zwirner.
As Art Basel Qatar prepares for its debut, anticipation is high across the global art world. The fair’s curatorial ambition, regional inclusivity, and global partnerships position it as a defining event for both the MENASA art scene and the international market.
In the words of Wael Shawky, “Art is not only a witness to history but a force that shapes how we imagine and reimagine identity.”
With this spirit of transformation and dialogue, Art Basel Qatar promises to open a new chapter in the evolving story of global contemporary art.
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