SIKKA Art Fair is an integral part of the two-month long Dubai Art Season, the umbrella-arts initiative by Dubai Culture that includes visual arts projects, music, live performances, video art and workshops, among others.
The fully commissioned art fair sets a new milestone this year with Dubai Culture opening doors of SIKKA to include creative works in visual and performing arts, music and film by artists and collectives.
This follows the announcement last year by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, that SIKKA Art Fair will include works by GCC-based talents this year. Her Highness had urged regional artists to submit their proposals to be part of the fair’s rich 10-day programme.
Playing a significant role in shaping the artistic scene in Dubai by providing a creative platform for UAE-based artists to showcase their works, SIKKA Art Fair also offers participants and visitors with deep insights on the newest trends in the arts through workshops and the exchange of ideas with international artists.
Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority said: “The annual SIKKA Art Fair has evolved as one of the successfully, eagerly awaited arts events in the region. Now in its sixth edition, it continues to be a ground-breaking initiative for artists to showcase their works. This year, under the direction of our leadership, we have further expanded its remit to include the works of GCC-based artists, further underlining the event as one of the region’s premier art events, and highlighting Dubai as a vibrant cultural hub and helps to fulfil the vision of the Dubai Open Air Museum.”
The event will be primarily held at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, an inspiring hub for creativity in the heart of Old Dubai as well as other key locations around the city. The performances are open to the public and feature aspiring musicians, bands and improve troupes, each bringing their distinct identity to Dubai’s performing arts scene.
SIKKA Art Fair will host an array of installations by: Joshua Watts, Mohammad Shabanpoor, Azza Alqubaisi, Kevin Badni, Cristiana De Marchi, Fatima Alawadhi, Katarzyna Dzikowska, Swapnatara Kurup, Ali Hussain Merza, Mays Albaik, Amna Jawad, Julia Townsend, Matthew Cryder, Sarab Jokhdar, Marwan Karout, Malda Smadi, Flounder Lee, Maha Shahin and Hendrik Wahil.
Furthermore, four pioneering art initiatives will be showcased at SIKKA – ‘Design House’, will be celebrating Arabian tradition by preparing a special SIKKA Closing Night Feast; ‘Animation Chamber’, will be showcasing unique screenings and local activities; and finally ‘Chochoma’, a glass making workshop.
Over the past five years, SIKKA has welcomed thousands of art aficionados offering them unprecedented cultural experiences. The flagship event marked a record turnout of over 12,000 visitors last year; some 500 participants also attended 38 workshops.
Dubai Culture is committed to underlining the Emirati artistic heritage of Dubai and its contemporary arts environment, while offering a nurturing environment to strengthen artistic talent in the Emirate.
Also The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate's dedicated entity for heritage, arts and culture, has announced that renowned local artist Mattar bin Lahej will be the curator for the sixth edition of its flagship arts and cultural initiative, SIKKA Art Fair.
The contemporary artist-led fair, held as part of Dubai Art Season, the two-month long umbrella arts initiative by Dubai Culture, is aimed at nurturing and promoting Emirati and UAE-based talent.
Under the direction of Mattar, SIKKA Art Fair this year will focus on identifying the UAE and the wider GCC region’s aspiring and emerging visual, performing, musical, and cinematic artists.
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