Art Dubai, the event's creators call the most important art fair for art from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia returns after being forced to go virtual last year due to the pandemic. Art Dubai will take place from March 1 to 5. This is good news. It's easy to explain why.

The fair has become an indispensable platform for promoting emerging and established artists from the region. Art from painting, sculpture, photography, and digital art is on display. With over 130 exhibitors worldwide, this year's edition will be the largest yet.

A notable feature of this year's event is the expanded Art Dubai Digital section, which has grown from 17 to 22 galleries despite the recent slump in the crypto market. This area offers a "360-degree snapshot of the digital art landscape," exploring the intersection of art and technology and how artists use new tools and techniques to push the boundaries of traditional art forms. And it will also be the most modern yet.

Think of it this way: The success of Art Dubai is a testament to the growing interest in contemporary art from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, which has gained global recognition in recent years. The fair has also been helped by the healthy economic climate in Dubai, which has seen an influx of Russian citizens and capital. While some have speculated that this influx could boost sales at the fair, many dealers remain cautious, pointing out that the art market is highly unpredictable.

Despite this uncertainty, Art Dubai Artistic Director Pablo del Val is optimistic about the future of the fair and its role in promoting cultural exchange and dialogue between different regions and cultures.