Dhai Dubai by Dubai Culture and Expo City spotlights Emirati artists

In November, Expo City Dubai and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) will join forces at the iconic Al Wasl Plaza to present the second edition of Dhai Dubai, the first Emirati-led light art exhibition (Nov. 12-18).

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

Co-curated by Anthony Bastic, CEO and Creative Director of AGB Creative, it is a celebration of legacy through light and creativity as Dhai Dubai reimagines the traditional exhibition as a dynamic cultural movement. A flagship initiative of Expo City Dubai, the event is a pioneering platform for Emirati artists to showcase their heritage through contemporary art. This year's edition invites the community and international guests to discover how tradition continues to shape and inspire modern art in Dubai. Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, Dhai Dubai 2025 returns with seven brand-new commissions by a constellation of Emirati artists across three generations, including Fatma Lootah, Mohammed Kazem, Khalid AlBanna, Alia Bin Omair, AlZaina Lootah, Ahmed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, and Hessa Alghandi. Each of their works serve as luminous portals into the evolving language of light, exploring its spiritual, emotional, and artistic resonance in Emirati culture. Dhai Dubai also expands its creative mandate with a series of artist talks and public dialogues hosted at House of Arts, Expo City, Dubai's newest cultural venue dedicated to regional art and expression. More than just a space, House of Arts is a vibrant home for creation and connection, uniting artists and art dreamers from across the Arabian Gulf, through bold programming and forward-thinking support systems, more details of which will be announced in October.