"The announcement that Frieze will take over the existing Abu Dhabi Art (ADA) fair may have come as a surprise to some key players in the Gulf art scene but, according to Frieze's chief executive Simon Fox, the plan was "considered for a reasonably long time". The evolution of Abu Dhabi's art ecosystem has been "many years in the making", he adds, and now the "stars have aligned"."
"Fox considers Abu Dhabi the "most interesting market in the region", citing the weight of the major institutional projects newly opened or under way on Saadiyat Island. He is not concerned about the local demand for contemporary art, despite less corporate patronage or major private collections. "We don't need any more buying power than what is already in place, which has supported the growth of ADA for the past 17 years." Moreover, he believes that the Gulf is a "growing" market."
"Taking over an existing fair, rather than launching a new one-as Art Basel is doing in Doha-was partly to avoid "congesting the fair calendar", Fox says. Still, launching in Abu Dhabi means that Frieze will hold four fairs in three months, which he admits will be "demanding". The takeover is comparable to its 2023 acquisitions of the Armory Show and Expo Chicago, but because the Emirati fair will be rebranded, the "changes will be more noticeable"."
Frieze will take over Abu Dhabi Art (ADA) and rebrand it, with an inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi scheduled for November 2026. The plan was considered for a reasonably long time and Abu Dhabi's art ecosystem developed over many years, anchored by major institutional projects on Saadiyat Island. Existing local buying power has supported ADA's growth for 17 years and the Gulf market is growing. Taking over ADA avoids congesting the fair calendar, but Frieze will hold four fairs in three months, creating a demanding schedule. The takeover follows recent acquisitions and will bring noticeable changes. The 2026 exhibitor list remains uncertain; many ADA galleries have not previously exhibited at Frieze. No Abu Dhabi galleries are included in this year's Frieze London or Masters; three galleries from Dubai and two from the wider region are participating.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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