Art Basel Qatar has appointed Egyptian-born artist Wael Shawky as the artistic director of its inaugural edition, which will take place in Doha from February 5–7, 2026, with an innovative fair format that diverges from the fair’s traditional booth model. 

According to a press release, Art Basel Qatar will adopt an open format in which exhibitors will showcase solo presentations responding to the event’s overarching thematic framework. As such, the fair will be “grounded in artistic vision and conceptual rigor,” encouraging a “deeper engagement with leading galleries and artists from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and further afield” while retaining a market relevance.

Commenting on this new approach, Vincenzo de Bellis, chief artistic officer and global director of fairs for Art Basel, stated: “[W]e are pushing the boundaries of the art fair model—placing artistic intention at its core while responding to today’s market. This format allows us to support galleries in presenting artists’ work with greater depth and resonance.” He added that “Doha is an ideal context for this evolution,” as it is “a place where cultural ambition meets a rich and layered history, and where experimentation is both welcomed and supported.”

Under the theme “Becoming,” Art Basel Qatar will explore the evolving socioeconomic systems that define our existence, with a particular focus on the Gulf region as “a living palimpsest . . . where oral traditions intersect with digital networks, and ancient trade routes are reimagined as contemporary flows of culture and capital.” Together with de Bellis, Shawky will oversee the event’s curatorial vision and gallery selection process in consultation with the fair’s selection committee, which comprises leading regional and international gallery representatives. 

Shawky, who is featured in our latest 144 issue, is known for his multidisciplinary practice spanning film, performance, and storytelling. Last year, he represented Egypt at the 60th Venice Biennale, where his video work Drama 1882 (2024) received critical acclaim. In a statement, Shawky expressed that it is “a privilege to work with Art Basel on this groundbreaking new format. The opportunity to explore artistic practices from across the MENA region and beyond, within a framework that values research, narrative, and experimentation.” He further highlighted the collaborative nature of the fair, and that he looks forward to working with galleries and artists “to help shape a platform that speaks to the complexity and richness of the region while remaining globally relevant.” 

Art Basel Qatar will feature around 50 galleries, although de Bellis expects that the number of exhibitors will increase. The fair will be held at M7, a creative hub in the Qatari capital, and the Doha Design District, as well as various public sites in the Msheireb district, with preview days running from February 3–4, 2026.

Sanle Yan is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.