DUBAI.- The winners of the Abraaj Capital Art Prize; Kutluğ Ataman with curator Cristiana Perrella, Nazgol Ansarinia with curator Leyla Fakhr and Zoulikha Bouabdellah with curator Carol Solomon, saw their works unveiled by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) with an audience of private collectors, museum directors, international curators and media from around the world in attendance. His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC, Arif Naqvi, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Abraaj Capital and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co-Director of the Serpentine Gallery also participated in the unveiling. The Abraaj Capital Art Prize focuses on artists from the MENASA region (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia) and strives to enable the creation, realisation and international promotion of their works.

Arif Naqvi, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Abraaj Capital said "The creativity and energy that emanate from the art we see around us this evening, and the presence of an audience which has come from all corners of the world to be with us here in Dubai for this celebration of the arts can leave no doubt as to the vibrancy and empowered potential of this city. We are without any doubt in the heart of one of the most exciting and thriving places in the world."

Art Dubai, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, one of the most prestigious art fairs in the world, will open its doors to the grand public. Nearly 70 galleries from all over the world will show a variety of Middle Eastern and international artists in the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The fair was previewed yesterday by a select group of collectors and arts people who had flown in from all over the world.