jFAN Of the fair! His Highness Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum opens inaugural World Art Dubai

• Dubai’s Newest Public Art Fair Promises ‘Accessible and Affordable’ Art for Every Budget
• UAE is Well-Represented in Debut Collection of More Than 2,000 Artworks by Over 100 Galleries and Artists from 25 Countries

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 9^th April, 2015: The inaugural World Art Dubai - a four-day accessible art fair concept designed to give Dubai’s international community access to affordable global art - was inaugurated on Wednesday evening by His Highness Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Information, in the presence of dozens of VIP guests and more than 500 luminaries from the city’s arts community.

Running until Saturday 11th April at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), World Art Dubai boasts an affordable collection of more than 2,000 modern and contemporary works - comprising paintings and prints, photography, sculpture and urban art elements - culled from more than 100 local, regional and international galleries and artists from 25 countries.

In addition to works by celebrated international names such as David LaChapelle and musicians-turned-photographers, Moby and Julian Lennon, the event features work by a swathe of established and emerging talent from the UAE, the wider Arab world and across the globe. Prices for original works start as low as AED110 (US$30).

“The response from galleries, artists and now the public has been tremendous,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC, the fair organiser. “The people of the UAE have responded to World Art Dubai and embraced the affordable and accessible ethos of Dubai’s newest art fair. This major new annual exhibition fills a notable gap in the regional market for an affordable art fair which appeals to budding and established collectors, as well as just the curious - we look forward to welcoming the public this weekend.”

In terms of sales, World Art Dubai flew out the traps. Only 10 minutes into the fair, Dubai resident Julie Bartlet became the fair’s first buyer when the Scottish expatriate purchased three items from the USA’s Able Fine Art NY Gallery at the ‘Pick of the Day - Under AED5,000’ wall - a display at the heart of the fair’s indoor area dubbed ‘The Shed’. Bartlet, who is repatriating back to Aberdeen next week, said the three works - priced at AED1,700 each - would be shipped back to her Scottish home.

“I’m a huge lover of art,” said Bartlet. “There is a massive, expansive wall in my UK property that has needed something to fill it for years - I knew World Art Dubai would be the place to find it,” said Bartlet.

With thousands of seasoned collectors, bargain-seeking art newcomers and the simply curious descending on World Art Dubai over the next few days, DWTC will be a hotbed of all things art, culture and pop this weekend. The venue is also hosting the fourth Middle East Film & Comic Con - the region’s largest pop culture festival - until Saturday 11th April.

Open from 4pm to 9pm on Thursday 9th April and 12pm to 10pm on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th April, World Art Dubai is an official event of Dubai Art Season, the month-long arts initiative organised by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) - the Emirate’s dedicated authority for culture, arts and heritage.