Art Basel Qatar: Landmark Moment in MENASA’s Creative Sector

The opening of Art Basel, the renowned art fair’s Qatar edition underscored the country’s position as a committed patron of the arts. By Mary Joseph

The opening of the first ever Art Basel in the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia) region marked a turning point for Qatar in more ways than one.

Never before had the country, or the region, played host to an art fair boasting artworks by 84 internationally renowned creatives. And, probably never before had Qatar so clearly shown the world that it is not only a committed patron of the arts, but also one that has successfully forged its unique creative identity while warmly embracing the diversity of others, as it has with Art Basel Qatar.

Taking place across M7 and the Doha Design District in Msheireb Downtown Doha, Art Basel Qatar brought together 87 international galleries, with more than half of the 84 presenting artists drawn from the MENASA region. The art fair is presented in partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+.

Sharing her thoughts on Qatar’s creative journey and the first edition of Art Basel Qatar, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, said, “Today marks a special moment, one that connects talent and industry, by welcoming the establishment of Art Basel in the Middle East.  This is the beginning of a bold, exciting, and truly unique undertaking, one that merges with and amplifies the cultural and artistic ecosystem we have been building, piece by piece, for the past fifty years. We are here not just to present yet another art fair, but to curate a platform that uplifts the creativity of an entire region, remaining deeply human-centred and humane, and inviting the world to be curious about who we really are, and engage in meaningful conversations.”

On the eve of the fair’s first VIP Preview Day, Visit Qatar, the fair’s Lead Partner, marked the event by unveiling “Song”, a new site-responsive work by Jenny Holzer, at a welcome event at Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art (MIA).  An American neo-conceptual artist, Holzer’s repertoire of work includes large-scale installations, advertising billboards, projections on buildings and illuminated electronic displays. Holzer’s “Song” is the tenth work in the fair’s Special Projects program. The work activated the museum through two simultaneous projections across the main façade and inner courtyard, accompanied by a single, choreographed performance of over 700 drones in the night sky.

Using poems by Mahmoud Darwish, the celebrated Palestinian poet whose lyrical voice has profoundly shaped modern Arabic literature, and Nujoom Alghanem, the acclaimed Emirati poet and filmmaker known for her intimate and incisive writing, Holzer brings Arabic and English text into public space as illumination, rhythm, and interruption. Following its debut, the work remains on view to the public nightly as a projection on the museum’s main façade throughout the fair.

Noah Horowitz, Chief Executive Officer, Art Basel, noted how this represented a pivotal moment for Art Basel and for the global art market. He said, “Conceived specifically for this place and developed in close partnership with our Qatari collaborators, the fair reflects the region’s extraordinary cultural ambition as well as our commitment to building platforms that are both locally and globally resonant. By connecting the broader MENASA region more deeply with Art Basel’s international ecosystem, we are creating new opportunities for artists, galleries, and audiences, while advancing a model of growth that is entrepreneurial, inclusive, and built for the long term.”

The preview and public days saw a range of visitors stream in, from collectors, and connoisseurs of art, to creatives, and those who were simply curious. The overwhelming positive response to this first MENASA edition served as a nod of approval to the innovative visions of Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Fairs, and Wael Shawky, Artistic Director of the Qatar edition.

The duo structured the layout around an open plan instead of the traditional booth model. And rather than follow the previous practice of each gallery presenting the works of multiple artists, at Art Basel Qatar, each gallery focused on the work of a single artist. Additionally, the total number of participating galleries were slightly smaller than previous editions. The result was an experience that offered opportunities for deeper, focused reflection, and engaging conversations between gallery representatives and visitors.

Shawky said, “What interested me about this role was the possibility of an art fair that doesn’t separate the market from education, but understands them as part of the same ecosystem. The open format of Art Basel Qatar allows artists to present complete thoughts rather than fragments and invites audiences to truly encounter the work. In that sense, the fair is not only a place to acquire art, but a cultural platform that can generate long-term knowledge, dialogue, and opportunity for artists.”

Indeed, Art Basel Qatar is a defining moment in Art Basel’s and Qatar’s histories. The newly launched fair responds to Qatar’s long-standing investment in culture by establishing a platform that connects the region’s burgeoning artistic production with Art Basel’s global network. In doing so, it aims to nurture long-term growth and exchange across the art market.

The art fair ran from February 5 to 7, 2026. The next Art Basel, the 2026 edition, will be held in Hong Kong.