DUBAI.-Nearly 70 of the world’s leading contemporary and modern galleries from 28 countries, selected from over 350 applications will gather in Dubai next March for the second Art Dubai fair (formerly the DIFC Gulf Art Fair), nearly doubling the size of the Fair for 2008.

The strengths of the show lie in the caliber and unparalleled global diversity of Art Dubai’s offerings, bringing together the most cutting-edge contemporary art and modern masters in one of the world’s most dynamic countries. Emphasis will be placed on galleries from the emerging markets of the Middle East, South and Central Asia and the Far East, showing alongside established international dealers from the West. Approximately half of the exhibitors will be from the Middle East, Central Asia and Far East and will be complimented by leading galleries from Europe, North and South America and Africa.

Amongst the international participants are both well-established and young galleries such as: Max Lang (New York), Albion (London), Gallery Chemould (Mumbai), The Third Line (Dubai), Galleria Continua (San Gimignano), SCAI The Bathhouse (Tokyo), Galerie Sfeir-Semler (Hamburg and Beirut), Gallery Espace (New Delhi), Galerie Thomas (Munich), Sundaram Tagore (New York), Kashya Hildebrand (Zurich) and MAM Mario Mauroner (Austria).

New participants include contemporary galleries such as: Kukje Gallery (Seoul), Chantal Crousel (Paris), Universal Studios (Beijing), Kamel Mennour (Paris), 100 Tonson (Bangkok), B21 (Dubai), Contrasts Gallery (Shanghai), Silk Road Gallery (Tehran), Galeria Millan (São Paolo), Galería Horrach Moya (Mallorca), TORCH GALLERY (Amsterdam), Produzentengalerie (Hamburg) and nina menocal (Mexico City).

John Martin, Fair Director comments: “We are delighted by the strong interest we have seen from a diverse range of exceptional international galleries. In its second year, Art Dubai has already become a significant new art event on the international calendar and says much about the potential for Dubai to become one of the world’s great centres for innovative contemporary art and design”.