Art Basel Qatar launches new fair format and appoints Wael Shawky as artistic director
Art Basel has announced the launch of its first-ever fair in Qatar, taking place from 5 to 7 February 2026 at M7 in Doha’s Design District, with preview days on 3 and 4 February. Departing from the usual art fair model of booths, Art Basel Qatar will focus on solo exhibitions by galleries, shaped by individual artistic visions. The fair is designed to create a more meaningful experience for visitors while spotlighting artists and galleries from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond.
M7 in Doha, Horizontal view. Courtesy of Art Basel
Renowned Egyptian-born artist Wael Shawky has been appointed Artistic Director for the inaugural edition. He will work with Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Fairs, to lead the curatorial direction and oversee gallery selection. “It is a privilege to work with Art Basel on this groundbreaking new format,” said Shawky. “The opportunity to explore artistic practices from across the MENA region and beyond, within a framework that values research, narrative, and experimentation, is extremely meaningful to me.”
Art Basel Qatar will be spread across several venues including M7, the Doha Design District, and public spaces in Msheireb. Galleries will present solo shows that respond to a central idea developed by the fair’s leadership. The theme of the first edition will be ‘Becoming’, focusing on how people, beliefs, and systems evolve over time. “With Art Basel Qatar, we are pushing the boundaries of the art fair model – placing artistic intention at its core while responding to today’s market,” said de Bellis. “Doha is an ideal context for this evolution: It is a place where cultural ambition meets a rich and layered history, and where experimentation is both welcomed and supported.”
Wael Shawky, Artistic Director, Art Basel Qatar, Vertical view. Courtesy of Art Basel
A dedicated Selection Committee will help shape the gallery line-up. Members include Lorenzo Fiaschi of Galleria Continua (San Gimignano, Beijing, Havana, Boissy-le-Châtel, Paris, Rome, Dubai, São Paulo); Shireen Gandhy of Chemould Prescott Road (Mumbai); Daniela Gareh of White Cube (London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris, Seoul); Mohammed Hafiz of Athr Gallery (Jeddah, Al Ula, Riyadh); Sunny Rahbar of The Third Line (Dubai); and Gordon VeneKlasen of Michael Werner Gallery (New York, Athens, Berlin, Los Angeles, London). Shawky, who recently represented Egypt at the 2024 Venice Biennale, also leads the Arts Intensive Study Program at the Doha Fire Station and has exhibited widely, including at Tate Modern, MoMA PS1, and Mathaf. “I look forward to collaborating with galleries and artists to help shape a platform that speaks to the complexity and richness of the region while remaining globally relevant,” he said.
The inaugural edition of Art Basel Qatar will take place from 5–7 February 2026 at M7, a creative hub in the heart of Doha, as well as at the Doha Design District in downtown Msheireb. artbasel.com
