Spotlighting Emirati Artists, the light art exhibition will take over Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City Dubai from 12 to 18 November.
Tradition meets modernity as Expo City Dubai and the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) join forces to shed light, quite literally, on legacy and creativity for the return of Dhai Dubai. Reimagining the traditional exhibition as a dynamic cultural movement, the second edition of the Emirati-led light art exhibition will take place from 12 to 18 November at Al Wasl Plaza.
As a flagship initiative of Expo City Dubai, Dhai Dubai provides a pioneering platform for local artists to showcase their heritage through bold, contemporary art. This year’s edition invites the community and international guests to discover how tradition continues to shape and inspire modern art in Dubai. This landmark partnership between Expo City Dubai and Dubai Culture reflects a shared vision, one that honours the past while boldly shaping the future. Together, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to empowering artists, nurturing the creative economy, and positioning the emirate as a global capital for the arts.
Following the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, Dhai Dubai returns with seven new commissions by a stellar line-up of Emirati artists across three generations: Fatma Lootah, Mohammed Kazem, Khalid AlBanna, Alia Bin Omair, AlZaina Lootah, Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, and Hessa Alghandi. Each light sculpture serves as a luminous portal into the evolving language of light exploring its spiritual, emotional, and artistic resonance within Emirati culture.
This time around, Dhai Dubai expands its creative constellation with a powerful series of artist talks and public dialogues hosted at House of Arts, Expo City Dubai’s newest cultural venue dedicated to regional art and expression. More than a space, House of Arts is a vibrant home for creation and connection, uniting artists and dreamers from across the Arabian Gulf through bold programming and forward-thinking support systems, which will be announced come October.
“Dhai Dubai, through its varied experiences and interactive programming, reflects the depth of our partnership with Expo City Dubai,” says Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture. “It also highlights our ongoing efforts to boost cultural tourism and support the cultural and creative industries by encouraging artists to present works that embody the values and spirit of the emirate. This exhibition marks an important moment on our annual calendar, advancing the Public Art Strategy and fostering dialogue between artists and different communities. It invites visitors to explore the role of art in connecting people, discover the creatives shaping our public spaces, and experience how the city’s diversity is brought to life through innovative installations. In doing so, Dhai Dubai demonstrates the forward-thinking approach of Emirati talent, whose work keeps pace with global trends in contemporary art.”
Discover: Dhai Dubai. Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai, Dubai. @dhaidubai
