Art Basel has opened its first-ever fair in the MENASA region (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia), marking a major new chapter in its global evolution and a pivotal moment for the international art market. Art Basel Qatar, presented in partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+, unfolds across Msheireb Downtown Dohaand runs through 7 February.
The inaugural edition brings together 87 international exhibitors presenting works by 84 artists, with more than half hailing from across the MENASA region. Staged across M7 and the Doha Design District, the fair departs from the traditional booth model in favor of solo artist presentations, creating a more open and focused viewing experience.
Under the artistic leadership of Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Fairs, alongside Wael Shawky, Artistic Director of the inaugural edition, the fair is shaped by the theme Becoming. The concept reflects a format designed to foster deeper engagement and evolve in dialogue with its cultural context over time.
Jenny Holzer Illuminates Doha with Major Site-Responsive Work
On the eve of the fair’s first VIP Preview Day, Art Basel and Visit Qatar, the fair’s Lead Partner, unveiled SONG, a new site-responsive work by Jenny Holzer, at a welcome event at Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art.
The work activated the museum through dual projections across its main façade and inner courtyard, accompanied by a choreographed performance of more than 700 drones in the night sky. Drawing on poetry by Mahmoud Darwish and Nujoom Alghanem, Holzer brought Arabic and English texts into public space as illumination, rhythm, and interruption. Following its debut, SONG remains on view nightly as a projection on the museum’s façade throughout the fair.
A Defining Moment for Art Basel and Qatar
Representing a defining milestone in Art Basel’s 55-year history, the Doha fair responds to Qatar’s long-standing investment in culture, establishing a platform that connects the region’s rapidly expanding artistic production with Art Basel’s global network. The initiative aims to nurture long-term exchange and growth across the art market.
Courtesy of Art Basel
Photo by Jinane Ennasri
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, described the launch as
“a bold, exciting, and truly unique undertaking… a platform that uplifts the creativity of an entire region, remaining deeply human-centered and humane, and inviting the world to engage in meaningful conversations.”
His Excellency Nasser bin Ghanim Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of QSI, emphasized the fair’s role in positioning Qatar and the Arab world as a global meeting point for ideas and culture, building on the legacy of major international events hosted in the country.
His Excellency Saad bin Ali Al-Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of Visit Qatar, highlighted the fair as a milestone in Doha’s evolution as a global cultural destination.
From the Art Basel side, Andrea Zappia, Chairman and Group CEO of MCH Group, and Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, both underscored the fair’s significance as a regionally rooted yet globally resonant platform, designed for long-term, inclusive growth.
Vincenzo de Bellis noted that the format rethinks how art fairs can function:
“A slower, more deliberate rhythm — one that prioritizes focus, context, and return over speed and accumulation.”
Wael Shawky added that the fair bridges market and education, enabling artists to present complete ideas rather than fragments.
Art Basel Qatar takes place 5–7 February, with preview days on 3 and 4 February. Programming includes Gallery sector highlights, Special Projects commissions, and a Conversations series, positioning the fair as both a commercial and cultural platform for sustained dialogue across the MENASA region and beyond.
