Dhai Dubai sheds light on seven Emirati artists in second edition

Dhai Dubai, the first-ever Emirati-led light art exhibition, has unveiled details of the seven new artists commissioned for its second edition, running at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City Dubai (Nov. 12-18). Held in strategic partnership with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the exhibition's theme is 'Light Influences Life', exploring the profound impact of light on Emirati art, culture, and storytelling.

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Dr. Mohamad Yousef's composition. Sisters of the Desert projection. Work by Dr. Najat Makki.

Curated by Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director of Entertainment and Experiences at Expo City Dubai, and Anthony Bastic AM, AGB Creative CEO & Executive Creative Director, the 2025 exhibition features new commissions from three generations of Emirati artists. Each artist illuminates a different perspective on the significance of light in regional culture, as well as its symbolic importance in local traditions.

Reflecting on the artists selected for the upcoming edition of Dhai Dubai, Amna Abulhoul said: "The artists we have brought together for the second edition of Dhai Dubai are a radiant reflection of the UAE's extraordinary spectrum of talent. This year, seven Emirati voices, each with their own language of light, come forward to share practices as diverse as the dreams of our nation. Their works reveal how light is not just illumination, but a heartbeat of our culture, shaping memory, inspiring connection, and guiding imagination. At Al Wasl Plaza, the heart of Expo City Dubai, their creativity becomes a shared symphony, where personal stories and collective narratives intertwine. It is here that we celebrate light and life together, in a city where the impossible is made possible, and where every idea has the chance to shine."