HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais opens Ayyam Gallery in the DIFC

Opening exhibition to feature recent works by Syrian painter Khaled Takreti

Ayyam Gallery announced today the opening of its new location in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The new gallery was inaugurated by HE Abdul Rahman Al Owais, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Affairs.

With 1,500 square feet of space, the new gallery is located in the heart of DIFC's Gate Village and will serve as the ideal setting for the Gallery's monthly solo shows. This move not only marks a significant step for the Ayyam Gallery but also points to the shifting direction of the Middle Eastern art scene, which is now working towards sustaining the exciting momentum that has catapulted the region as one of the world's most sought after art hubs.

"As an art institution dedicated to the promotion of the best contemporary artists in the Middle East we believe it is essential for us to be present in DIFC among the other top galleries that are there", said Khaled Samawi, founder of Ayyam Gallery. His partner Hisham Samawi added, "The DIFC's Gate Village has become one of the premium art destinations in the region and we look forward to adding to that. It is becoming a special place".

The DIFC-based Ayyam Gallery will open with an exhibition featuring recent work by Syrian painter Khaled Takreti, an artist whose dynamic figurative compositions have been gaining significant attention from critics and collectors alike.

Welcoming the Gallery to the Centre, Suhail Butti Al Maktoum, Head of Community Development at DIFC Authority said: "In addition to it being the region's leading financial hub, the Dubai International Financial Centre is committed to contributing to the rapidly evolving art scene in the UAE and further raising its profile on the international cultural map. Welcoming cutting-edge galleries like Ayyam delivers on this mandate, and we look forward to supporting them to realise their full potential."

Over the course of four years, Ayyam Gallery has invested in long-term initiatives that have expanded the boundaries of local culture while engaging global audiences. These latest developments will build upon its reputation for high-caliber art shows and groundbreaking proposals, which include an impressive publishing house, a highly successful auctions branch and a widely respected program for fostering young talent. 

The new opening comes alongside the revamping of the Gallery's Al Quoz branch into Ayyam Art Center (AAC), a multifaceted venue that will host regional and international large-scale exhibitions, installations, film screenings, a permanent collection and Ayyam Auctions.

With 10,000 sq feet of exhibition space, AAC is expected to become one of the Gulf's premier art venues, as it will allow for the hosting of a variety of events while creating a vibrant new space that aims to represent the many sides of regional art and the diverse community of art aficionados that supports it.