World Art Dubai opens, more than 3,000 art pieces on display

  DUBAI - World Art Dubai 2019 opened on Wednesday (April 3) with more than 3,000 art pieces from more than 150 artists on display. Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General of the Dubai Department of Information, opened the region's art fair at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The art collection includes original contemporary artworks, paintings, sculptures, digital photographs, custom-made works and installations. The fair runs until Saturday (April 6). World Art Dubai is hosting artists from more than 30 countries this year, said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management at DWTC.

Global stage for emerging talent

The global appeal of World Art Dubai 2019 has drawn debut artists and galleries from multiple new territories, including Chile, Myanmar, Argentina, Italy, Taiwan, Turkmenistan, Mexico, Belarus and Gabon. Filipino artist Varon Miles Federico is among the artists featured at the art fair. The 18-year-old created a contemporary painting depicting a mother's love. Speaking to Expatmedia.net, Federico said it took him two hours to finish the artwork. His inspiration? "My mom," he said. Federico said he started learning art when he was 7 years old and has loved the hobby because it allows him to "express feeling and emotions". Filipino artist Varon Miles Federico The young artist was recently picked as a model for a clothing line in the UAE, but it is art that really draws him in, he said. "I was noticed with my love and passion for arts so they gave me opportunity," he said. He dreams of becoming a full-time artist and showcase more of his art in upcoming art fairs. ALSO READ: Stars you shouldn't miss at World Art Dubai

Art competition

As well as attracting established international talent, World Art Dubai has established itself as a key platform for emerging artists looking to launch their careers. Looking to harness this further, World Art Dubai has partnered with Rove Hotels for the inaugural World Art Dubai Emerging Artists Competition & Exhibition. The competition has shortlisted 10 finalists from more than 300 entries. Two artists will be selected to win further accolades on the final day of the show. One artist, selected by curators, will be offered free exhibition space at World Art Dubai 2020. The second artist, voted for by World Art Dubai visitors, will be awarded a Rove Hotels stay.

Art for every budget

In addition to new launches and features, World Art Dubai will be bringing back key areas and activities that have proven a hit with visitors. Returning to the show in 2019 is the popular Art for Every Wall segment, which showcases a curated collection of pieces from across the world with price tags all under Dh3,000. The fair’s most affordable artwork provides visitors with the opportunity to pick up their first piece of original and diverse art.

Making an artistic stance

Looking to make a key statement during World Art Dubai, Standard Chartered has commissioned a special exhibition of works by a collective of UAE-based female artists with the aim of rallying support to secure gender pay parity throughout the art world and beyond. Citing a recent University of Oxford Business School study which revealed works by female artists sell at auction for 47.6 percent less than works by their male counterparts, the chosen artists will leave 47.6 percent of their work unfinished in order to make a powerful statement on the inequality of gender pay in the art world. World Art Dubai will again roll out a spectrum of engaging talks, interactive workshops and exploratory sessions on a wealth of topics to engage all levels of artists. From Photography walks around the show floor and speed painting demonstrations, to calligraphy workshops and trainings on all things graffiti, visitors are advised to register through www.worldartdubai.com/whats-on-at-wad. Entry to World Art Dubai is Dh25 for a daily pass when purchased on site at DWTC’s Sheikh Saeed Halls 2 and 3. The show is open from 2pm to 9pm on Wednesday (April 3) and 1pm to 9pm from Thursday to Saturday (April 4 to 6). GAD/Expat 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