Written by Gérard Al-Fil, Dubai 

In early August, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) called artists from across the globe to submit their artworks for the 20th edition of the DIFC Art Nights in November *. The Middle East's biggest financial free-trade zone has every reason to put itself into the global limelight. 

East meets East

«Whether it comes to modern art or traditional masterpieces, the market for paintings, sculptures and also digital art keeps growing in the Gulf region», says Nicole Lin, Senior Art Gallery Director at Samia Art gallery in Dubai, whose career brought her to Beijing, Berlin and New York. The gallery’s founder, Tian Yuemin, has recently invited 82 artists from China to exhibit their artworks and drawn ample interest by Arabs. 

Mr. Tian is a renowned sculptor whose horse sculptures were sold out when he exhibited them at the world’s richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, back in April this year. At the last edition of DIFC Art Nights, Samia Art was exhibiting, too. 

Art Basel Goes With The Trend

Nicole Lin: «Mr Tian continues to receive orders from sheikhs and CEOs to create a bust for them.» The upwards trend has motivated the most prestigious fair for artists, Art Basel, to set foot in the oil-rich region too; Art Basel will hold its first exhibition in the Qatari capital, Doha. Art Basel Qatar will be Art Basel's fifth premier event and its newest show, running February 5-7, 2026. «The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar will be held at M7, a creative hub in the heart of Doha, as well as at the Doha Design District,» according to a media release on Art Basel’s homepage. 

Auction houses remain bullish for the region, too. Edward Gibbs, chairman of Sotheby’s Middle East and India, told the World Art Dubai magazine in June that the number of bidders from the region has grown by 70 per cent over the past five years.

The vibrant art market stands in contrast to the struggling art scene in other regions. «Galleries in Europe, China, and the USA are sitting on paintings and sculptures,» Germany’s FAZ wrote in September last year, citing geopolitical uncertainties that keep investors on the sidelines. 

Loyal Arabs, Wealthy Expats

So what drives the appetite in the Orient? According to the latest EY wealth management report released in July, amid market volatility and geopolitical challenges (keyword: Trump tariffs), «GCC investors are more cautious and proactive, emphasising transparency, cost clarity and tailored offerings.» The study also found out that the number of high net worth individuals seeking philanthropic and art advice has risen by 13 per cent year on year, but not all wealth managers are capable of supporting their clients in this area.

In addition to wealthy local Arabs, the Gulf area continues to attract more and more «happy few» from abroad. 

According to «The National News Abu Dhabi», «The United Arab Emirates is poised to attract 9,800 new millionaires in 2025, more than any other state globally.» Meanwhile, Dubai nowadays hosts over 81,200 millionaires, 12 percent more than last year. «Half of Moscow invests in Dubai», as people say in Dubai, in reference to the many wealthy investors who keep flocking in from the Russian Federation. 

Prominent names like Hollywood actress Lindsay Lohan, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan or Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer already call Dubai their home, or they own property in «fly-buy-Dubai». This influx of wealth translates into a growing demand for a lavish lifestyle in villas and mansions, and that includes pricey paintings for the interior walls.

The Hidden Human Factor

Aside from oil paintings and digital printouts on canvas, diamonds and jewelry have not lost their shine, says Amit Dhamani, CEO of the Dubai-based jewelry chain Dhamani, which has been in the UAE since 1969. Although the ounce of gold climbs from one all-time high to the next, Non-resident Indians, or NRIs, continue to add gold chains and rings to their portfolio for safety. 

Another factor that Western wealth advisors often overlook is the human factor that prevails in the region. Arab private investor Fadi H. to finews.com: «Whether it is about putting money into the stock market or in a statue, we rarely look at charts and data. Investing in the Arab world is mostly driven by emotions.»

* Artists who aim to participate in the DIFC Art Nights from 13- 16 November 2025 at Gate Village, Dubai, can submit their work until the 15th of September through this website.