Welcome to The Culture Edit, your monthly guide to the most captivating art and cultural exhibitions across the Middle East. In a region teeming with creative energy and visionary talent, it can be overwhelming to keep track of what’s worth your time. That’s where we come in. Each month, we sift through the noise to bring you a curated selection of exhibitions that spark conversation, provoke thought, and celebrate the region’s dynamic cultural pulse.
From gallery openings and immersive installations to regional festivals and museum must-sees, discover the most compelling cultural happenings of the month to bookmark below.
Without further ado, let’s get into The Culture Edit.
LATINOAMERICANO
National Museum of Qatar, Doha, Qatar | Until July 19
In celebration of the Qatar–Argentina and Qatar–Chile Year of Culture 2025, Doha becomes a gateway into Latin American expression. This expansive showcase spans over 170 pieces from Buenos Aires’ MALBA and the private collection of Eduardo F. Costantini, spotlighting the region’s creativity from 1900 onward. Expect a kaleidoscope of painting, sculpture, and installation that maps Latin America’s evolving cultural voice.
nmoq.org.qa
Close to My Soul
Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Doha, Qatar | Until August 9
A sweeping archive of Qatar’s artistic journey, this exhibition weaves together decades of Qatar’s artistic evolution, from the 1960s to today. Through paintings, sculptures, and rare documentation from the Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani collection, it depicts the country’s evolving landscapes, social narratives, and abstract movements. Visitors gain a deeper understanding of Qatar’s art history and of societal changes over the decades. It’s not just a show, it’s a layered portrait of a nation’s identity.
mathaf.org.qa
All Beautiful Things Are Fragile
ATHR Gallery, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Until June 26
Delicately powerful, this group art exhibition features names like Mohammad AlFaraj and Ayman Yossri Daydban, unpacking the fragility of memory and identity across fractured regions. Mediums range widely, but the message is unified, resistance through remembrance, and beauty found in cultural heritage.
athrart.com
Kings and Queens of Africa: Forms and Figures of Power
Louvre Abu Dhabi, UAE | Until June 8
A majestic collaboration with Paris’ Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, this exhibition uncovers Africa’s royal heritage through over 300 artefacts. Each object celebrates the visual and ceremonial traditions of African monarchs. It offers insights into the lives of Africa’s revered figures, illustrating their authority and cultural significance. The exhibition highlights the rich history of African civilizations and their global connections.
louvreabudhabi.ae
Sharjah Biennial 16: To Carry
Various locations across Sharjah, UAE | Until June 15
Curated by five women from the Global South, SB16 spans continents and centuries, exploring what it means to hold, carry, and preserve ideas and memories. With 190 artists and 80 new commissions, it’s a living, breathing conversation on migration, belonging, and the weight of legacy. It offers a platform for diverse narratives, fostering dialogue between local and global audiences.
sharjahart.org
The Shape of the Sky: A Rectangle – K.M. Madhusudhanan
1×1 Art Gallery, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai, UAE | Until June 15
This solo exhibition by K.M. Madhusudhanan delves into the interplay of memory, history, and identity, rooted in Kerala’s cultural narratives. Through paintings, drawings, and installations, he integrates traditional Indian aesthetics with contemporary abstraction, exploring the fluidity of time and cultural consciousness. His work reflects on the overlapping traces of past and present, inviting introspection on the forces shaping identity and history.
alserkal.online
And that was The Culture Edit.
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