Art Basel Qatar Announces Exhibitors for Inaugural Edition

Art Basel Qatar has announced 87 participating galleries from 31 countries and regions for its inaugural edition in Doha. The fair, which is set to run from February 5–7, 2026, will be directed by Egyptian artist Wael Shawky under the theme “Becoming.” Spotlighting galleries from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, the event will feature new regional exhibitors such as Hafez Gallery (Jeddah), Tabari Artspace (Dubai), and Saleh Barakat (Beirut) alongside international powerhouses Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, and David Zwirner, among others. In line with Art Basel Qatar’s open format, exhibitors will showcase solo presentations responding to the event’s overarching thematic framework. Highlights include Lebanese visual artist Ali Cherri at Almine Rech, Saudi physician-turned-artist Ahmed Mater at Athr Gallery, Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum at Galerie Chantal Crousel, and Simone Fattal at Karma International. In a press release, Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz stated: “Our gallery line-up for year one is thrilling—welcoming diverse new voices to our platform and deepening our engagement with new geographies, while also creating opportunities across our network of existing clients and established partners.”

Uzbekistan Pavilion Receives BIE Gold Medal at Expo 2025 Osaka

At Expo 2025 Osaka in Kansai, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has selected the Uzbekistan Pavilion as the winner of the gold medal for the “Theme Development” category. Commissioned by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) and designed by studio and museum planner Atelier Brückner under the concept “The Garden of Knowledge: A Laboratory for the Society of the Future,” the pavilion embodies Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage while exploring sustainable architecture. Incorporating materials such as brick, clay, and Sugi wood (sourced from native Japanese cedar trees), the triangular structure spans 750 square meters across two stories. In a press release, Atelier Brückner’s founding partner and managing director, Shirin Frangoul-Brückner, said the Uzbekistan Pavilion was about “translating the country’s cultural identity into a space of openness, dialogue, and pride. To see this vision recognized on a global stage is deeply meaningful and a moment of great joy for our entire team.”

Karachi Biennale Announces Curator for 2027 Edition

The Karachi Biennale Trust (KBT) has appointed Noor Ahmed as the curator of the fifth Karachi Biennale, which is set to open in January 2027. Ahmed is co-curator of “River Landscapes”—a transdisciplinary research and curatorial project between South Asia and Europe—and previously helmed Pakistan’s largest museum digitization project at the Lahore and Taxila Museums. At Expo 2020 Dubai, she was part of the curatorial team for the award-winning Pakistan Pavilion, and in 2019, she served as assistant curator for the second edition of the Karachi Biennale. In a statement, the KBT noted that Ahmed’s “strong foundation in cultural heritage, contemporary art, and digital archiving . . . brings a dynamic and nuanced perspective to this edition.”

20th Donggok Award in Culture and Arts Goes to Painter Min Tae-hong

Korean painter Min Tae-hong has received the 20th Donggok Award in the culture and arts category for his 47-year-long creative practice and contributions to Korea’s cultural landscape. Best known for his Jidu-hwa works—for which Min paints with his fingers and nails instead of a conventional brush—he draws on cosmic imagery to create vibrant, abstract tableaux. The accolade further recognizes Min’s longstanding work as art and culture ambassador for the Korean National Commission for UNESCO and as an overall “cultural diplomat”—a title he earned after donating his artworks to more than 35 foreign embassies in Korea. In his acceptance speech, Min thanked his family and supporters, while reflecting on his life’s work: “The wind and soil of Gangwon, and the memories that grew from them, are the roots of my art. For decades, I’ve painted the universe with my fingertips and built my hometown with my fingerprints.” The official award ceremony will take place on November 25 in Chuncheon, where Min will receive KRW 20 million (USD 14,065) and a commemorative plaque.