Following its celebrated debut last year, Dhai Dubai, the first Emirati-led light art exhibition, returns to Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City Dubai from 12 to 18 November 2025.
Presented in a partnership with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, this second edition shines a light on seven Emirati artists, each commissioned to create new works exploring the theme ‘Light Influences Life’, a reflection on how illumination shapes culture, memory and imagination.
Curated by Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director of Entertainment and Experiences at Expo City Dubai and Anthony Bastic AM, CEO and Executive Creative Director of AGB Creative, this year’s exhibition brings together three generations of Emirati talent.
“The artists we’ve brought together are a radiant reflection of the UAE’s spectrum of talent. Their works reveal how light is not just illumination, but a heartbeat in 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.”, says Amna.
Among this year’s featured artists is Fatma Lootah, whose expressive, socially engaged works have graced global stages from Times Square to Venice. Mohammed Kazem, a leading conceptual artist using sound, light and performance to explore perception and the shifting landscapes of the UAE. Alia Bin Omair, an award-winning jewellery designer, merges traditional Emirati craftsmanship with contemporary materials, transforming found objects into wearable stories.
Other participating artists include Khalid Al Banna, whose sculptural collages explore identity and transformation; architect and designer AlZaina Lootah, known for translating cultural heritage into spatial experiences; Ahmad AlAreef, whose multimedia practice revives oral histories through photography and sculpture and Hessa Alghandi, who reimagines family narratives through interior design.
In addition to the seven commissions, visitors can engage with an interactive light activation and attend a public programme of talks and workshops at Expo City’s new House of Arts, a multidisciplinary hub dedicated to creative exchange across the GCC.
With Light Influences Life as its guiding theme, Dhai Dubai once again demonstrates how Emirati art continues to evolve, illuminating the connections between tradition and innovation.
Visit: expocitydubai.com
Mariam Khawer is a Dubai-based writer and PR professional whose work spans food, art, and travel across the region. When she isn’t chasing deadlines, she’s likely at a gallery opening, testing out a new restaurant, piecing together one of her mixed-media art projects or at home with her four cats, who keep her on her toes.
