Doha: Art Basel has revealed the first details of its newly launched fair in Qatar, scheduled to take place from February 5 to 7, 2026, at the M7 creative hub in Doha's Design District, with Preview Days on February 3 and 4.
According to Qatar News Agency, the event is a collaborative effort between Art Basel, MCH Group, Qatar Sports Investments, and QC+, marking a departure from the traditional booth model to introduce a fair format grounded in artistic vision and conceptual rigor.
The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar aims to foster deeper engagement with leading galleries and artists from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond. The show will prioritize an engaging experience while maintaining strong market relevance. Internationally acclaimed Egyptian-born artist Wael Shawky has been appointed as the Artistic Director for this first edition. Shawky, alongside Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel's Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Fairs, will guide the curatorial vision and gallery selection process, in consultation with the fair's dedicated Selection Committee.
Art Basel Qatar will feature an open-format exhibition with solo presentations by galleries responding to a central thematic framework defined by Art Basel's artistic leadership. The exhibition will take place across key venues, including M7 and the Doha Design District, as well as selected public sites in Msheireb, Doha's creative and cultural heart.
Vincenzo de Bellis commented on the initiative, stating that the fair is pushing the boundaries of the traditional art fair model by placing artistic intention at its core. Doha provides an ideal context for this evolution, as it is a place where cultural ambition meets a rich history, and where experimentation is encouraged. The inaugural edition will explore the theme 'Becoming,' reflecting on humanity's ongoing transformation and the evolving systems that shape our lives.
Wael Shawky expressed his enthusiasm for working with Art Basel on this innovative format, emphasizing the opportunity to explore artistic practices from the MENA region and beyond, within a framework that values research, narrative, and experimentation. Shawky's recent accolades include his acclaimed video work Drama 1882, representing Egypt at the 60th International Art Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2024.
The fair's Selection Committee includes leading gallery representatives such as Lorenzo Fiaschi from Galleria Continua, Shireen Gandhy from Chemould Prescott Road, and Daniela Gareh from White Cube, among others. This diverse group will help shape the fair's platform, ensuring that it speaks to the complexity and richness of the region while maintaining global relevance.