DUBAI: Art Basel Qatar has unveiled details of its inaugural edition, set to take place in February 2026, offering a first look at the Galleries sector and its Special Projects program that will activate in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
Alongside presentations by 87 galleries showcasing works by 84 artists, Art Basel Qatar will stage nine large-scale, site-specific commissions across public spaces and cultural venues in Msheireb. Curated by Artistic Director Wael Shawky in collaboration with Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer Vincenzo de Bellis, the projects respond to the fair’s central theme, “Becoming.”
Spanning sculpture, installation, performance, film, and architecture, the projects explore transformation in material, social, and political terms, addressing environmental change, migration, memory, and identity. Participating artists include Abraham Cruzvillegas, Bruce Nauman, Hassan Khan, Khalil Rabah, Nalini Malani, Nour Jaouda, Rayyane Tabet, Sumayya Vally, and Sweat Variant (Okwui Okpokwasili and Peter Born). Highlights include Nauman’s immersive 3D video installation at M7, Malani’s monumental outdoor projection on the M7 façade, and Vally’s evolving majlis conceived as a living space for gathering and dialogue.
The Galleries sector brings together exhibitors from 31 countries and territories, with 16 galleries making their Art Basel debut. More than half of the participating artists hail from the MENASA region, reinforcing the fair’s regional focus. Gallery presentations range from iconic figures such as Etel Adnan, Hassan Sharif, and MARWAN to contemporary voices including Ali Cherri, Ahmed Mater, Sophia Al-Maria, and Shirin Neshat.
Galleries from across the region will participate, including those with outposts in Gulf states including Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
The wider Middle East and Asia will also be represented, including galleries from Lebanon, Turkiye, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and India.
Art Basel Qatar will run from Feb. 5-7 across M7, Doha Design District, and other locations in Msheireb Downtown Doha.













