Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a key cultural and lifestyle hub in Dubai, is home to art galleries and cultural venues that host diverse exhibitions through the year. Experience Dubai through one Gate at DIFC, where art experiences are thoughtfully integrated across the district as part of its wider lifestyle offering.

The upcoming programme spans generations and geographies, presenting two exhibitions across Opera Gallery and Perrotin Dubai. Together, they reflect a dialogue between Emirati modernism and contemporary abstraction, highlighting distinct artistic practices rooted in cultural identity and individual expression.

On view are Al Nayed, a major retrospective by Abdulqader Al Rais, and The Drifting Island by Berlin-based artist Xiyao Wang.

‘Al Nayed’ by Abdulqader Al Rais at Opera Gallery

Spanning more than five decades of artistic practice ‘Al Nayed’ is a major retrospective exhibition dedicated to Abdulqader Al Rais, one of the most influential figures in the history of modern Emirati art. The exhibition offers a comprehensive view of an artist whose work has played a formative role in shaping the UAE’s visual and cultural identity.

Key bodies of work on view include the Alghaf Series, where the desert tree becomes a symbol of resilience and continuity, the Calligraphy (Hurufiyya) Series, which transforms Arabic script into expressive form, and the Impressionism Series, capturing traditional architecture through light and colour. 

The exhibition offers insight into both the enduring legacy and continued evolution of Al Rais’s practice, positioning Al Nayed as a rare and considered survey of a foundational artistic career.

Dates: 26 March – 8 April 2026
Location: Gate Village, Building 3

The Drifting Island by Xiyao Wang at Perrotin Gallery

Berlin based Chinese artist Xiyao Wang marks her debut solo exhibition in the Middle East with The Drifting Island. Her paintings focus on the line as the primary expressive element, with composition and colour reduced to their essentials. Charcoal lines are drawn with precision on white canvas, while colour appears sparingly, reinforcing clarity and focus. 

Influenced by calligraphy, German Expressionism, and bodily disciplines such as yoga, dance, meditation, and the guqin, Wang’s practice translates physical rhythm and internal tempo into mark-making. Each line records a specific moment of attention and movement, resulting in works that exist between gesture and stillness. 

Dates: Until 28 February 2026
Location: DIFC Gate Village, Building 5
Opening Hours: Monday, 10am-6pm; Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-9pm

Together, these exhibitions reinforce DIFC’s role as a centre for cultural exchange, presenting both historically significant figures and contemporary voices within an accessible, district wide art experience. As one of Dubai’s most sought-after lifestyle destinations with a dynamic art and culture scene, DIFC draws art collectors and patrons from around the region. The curated art experiences appeal to a range of cultural audiences and art enthusiasts besides residents, professionals and visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the destination’s vibrant offerings. 

To learn more about DIFC’s upcoming art programmes please visit click here.

DIFC is easily accessible by Dubai Metro with the Financial Centre Metro Station a 3-minute walk away, with ticketless parking and Salik enabled across the district.