Dhai Dubai, the first-ever Emirati-led light art exhibition, has unveiled details of the seven new artists commissioned for its second edition, running at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City Dubai from November 12th to 18th 2025. Held in strategic partnership with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the exhibition’s theme is ‘Light Influences Life’, exploring the profound impact of light on Emirati art, culture, and storytelling.
Curated by Amna Abulhoul, Executive Creative Director of Entertainment and Experiences at Expo City Dubai, and Anthony Bastic AM, AGB Creative CEO & Executive Creative Director, this year’s exhibition features new commissions from three generations of Emirati artists. Each artist illuminates a different perspective on the significance of light in regional culture, as well as its symbolic importance in local traditions.
Reflecting on the artists selected for the upcoming edition of Dhai Dubai, Amna Abulhoul said: “The artists we have brought together for the second edition of Dhai Dubai are a radiant reflection of the UAE’s extraordinary spectrum of talent. This year, seven Emirati voices, each with their own language of light, come forward to share practices as diverse as the dreams of our nation. 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. It is here that we celebrate light and life together, in a city where the impossible is made possible, and where every idea has the chance to shine.”
Fatma Lootah is a pivotal Emirati artist and cultural ambassador, renowned worldwide for her emotive, powerful and socially engaged abstract works. Her vast body of work spans a diverse range of expressions, from large-scale paintings to poetic performance pieces, bridging cultural heritage with contemporary global dialogue. Based in Verona, Italy, since the 1980s, she has exhibited her works across the world, from Europe and North America to Asia and North Africa, including a significant showcase at Times Square. Her practice is informed by her deep roots in Dubai, where she works from her iconic studio, House 35 in the historic Al Fahidi district.
Mohammed Kazem is an internationally acclaimed Emirati artist, using video, photography, and performance to explore environment and experience. Informed by his musical training, he renders transient phenomena like sound and light tangible. A member of the pioneering group of Emirati artists, ‘The Five’, he explores subjectivity against the UAE’s modernisation. He represented the UAE at the Venice Biennale (2013) and exhibits internationally.
Alia Bin Omair is an Emirati jewellery designer whose practice is shaped by curiosity, cultural identity, and a deep respect for craftsmanship. Her work blends traditional Emirati designs with bold, contemporary creations from found objects. A Master’s graduate in Contemporary Jewellery, she creates locally, reflecting her commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling. Her award-winning designs connect wearers to place and heritage.
Khalid Al Banna is a prominent Emirati artist known for pioneering collage and sculpture. His architectural background informs his exploration of identity and urban transformation through layered textile collages and minimalist geometric sculptures. A key figure since the 1990s, his work, which includes the Union Monument, a major public artwork commissioned by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, is exhibited globally and held in major collections, such as the Sharjah Art Museum and the Barjeel Art Foundation, marking his significant contribution to Emirati art.
AlZaina Lootah is a visionary Emirati architect and designer, bridging cultural heritage with contemporary design. Her work, deeply influenced by her UAE upbringing, translates abstract concepts into beautiful, meaningful environments. A CAAD Chapter Representative, she champions collaborative design and storytelling. Lootah’s growing portfolio reflects her commitment to design excellence and impacting communities through architecture.
Ahmad AlAreef is an Emirati multidisciplinary artist exploring history and contemporary identity through photography, painting, and sculpture. His work translates Emirati oral histories and heritage into visual forms, bridging tradition with modern narratives. Exhibited internationally and rooted in archival research, his art acts as both archive and atmosphere, safeguarding cultural memory for the future.
Hessa Alghandi is an Emirati designer transforming cultural narratives into contemporary expressions through interior architecture and artistic design. Guided by memory and heritage, her work explores how objects and spaces tell stories. Her Hessa Archives platform and collaborations with brands like Adidas showcase her innovative approach. Her designs, often inspired by family history, honor tradition while creating resonant, functional art.
Dhai Dubai visitors will also have the opportunity to engage with a delightful interactive light activation, offering a moment of light-hearted connection and play. There will also be a dynamic programme of public talks and workshops, hosted at Expo City Dubai’s upcoming cultural initiative, House of Arts, a multidisciplinary space dedicated to championing artists from the GCC and making regional art accessible to all.
Dhai Dubai’s second edition is held in strategic partnership with Dubai Culture and runs from 12th to 18th November 2025 at Al Wasl Plaza, Expo City Dubai.
For more information, please visit www.dhaidubai.com.
