About Us

Established in 2018, Aisha Alabbar Gallery is a leading platform for contemporary and modern art in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Rooted in a strong curatorial vision, the gallery is dedicated to presenting a diverse roster of emerging and established artists from the UAE, the wider MENASA region, and the international art world. With a particular focus on fostering dialogue between local artistic practices and global contemporary discourse, the gallery aims to contribute meaningfully to the evolving narrative of art in the region.

 

As one of the first women-led Emirati galleries, Aisha Alabbar Gallery has played a pioneering role in championing the voices and practices of artists who are redefining the cultural landscape. We take pride in our commitment to nurturing talent through thoughtfully curated exhibitions, artist-led initiatives, and strategic collaborations with leading curators, institutions, and cultural organizations both regionally and internationally.

 

The gallery places a strong emphasis on research, education, and public engagement. In addition to its dynamic exhibition program, it produces bespoke publications, hosts panel discussions, and develops educational outreach initiatives that enrich the wider community and encourage critical dialogue. Our programming reflects a dedication to presenting bold, innovative practices that speak to contemporary concerns while honoring the unique cultural heritage of the region.

 

Aisha Alabbar Gallery is proud to serve as a cultural catalyst, supporting artists in building sustainable careers and ensuring their work resonates on a global stage. Through our ongoing efforts, we continue to contribute to the UAE’s vibrant and rapidly growing art ecosystem, leaving an enduring mark on the contemporary art scene.

 

 

Aisha Alabbar Gallery

Warehouse C-19, Alserkal Avenue 17th St, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1 - Dubai, UAE

 

(T) +971 (0) 4 344 7747

(M) + 971 (0) 54 442 6598 

(E) info@aishaalabbar.art

Monday to Saturday - 10 am to 6 pm

Public Holidays - Closed

 

  

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  • About the Founder
    About the Founder

    Aisha Alabbar’s father had one of the first fine art framing businesses in the region, which he opened in 1972, the same year the seven Emirates came together to form the UAE. Commissioning artists such as Abdul Qader al Rais for prints to be used in the growing number of hotel and governmental offices, her father and brother brought customized German and Italian frames and glass into the UAE. While the family business has grown well beyond the bounds of the framing shop, it was here that Aisha was first exposed to art, sparking her own creative practice and life-long interest.

     

    What began as an interest in photography through camera-phones, taking photos on family trips abroad, quickly turned into a professionalised undertaking. When her father passed away, she wished she had better photos documenting family trips together. So, Aisha bought a professional camera, started taking classes and educating herself about photography. As she became more engrossed in photography, developing her own skills as an artist, she equally felt the need to learn more about the history of art, visiting museums and attending art fairs.

     

    At the same time, Aisha and her friends found little opportunity to exhibit their conceptual works. Noticing that many galleries focused on artists outside the region and that Emirati-owned galleries focused on traditional practices rather than participating in an international discourse, she saw an opportunity. She decided to open a gallery focused on artists in her community, providing mentorship and exposure to emerging and established local artists eager for opportunities in their local market.

     

    Aisha Alabbar Gallery now takes pioneering Emirati artists as its central focus, while also providing a platform for young, emerging local artists based in the Gulf. Working with a diverse range of contemporary artists and creating a multi-faceted programme, Aisha Alabbar seeks to contribute to a local arts ecosystem that is open and welcoming, prioritising engagement of diverse audiences with rigorous and timely exhibitions. In the future, she looks forward to promoting the work of the gallery’s represented artists internationally.