Dubai's art fair beats the recession

Artists and dealers taking part in Art Dubai say they're confident of surviving the tough financial time. Some 70 galleries from 30 countries are exhibiting at the fair, which focuses on emerging Middle Eastern talent.

Some 70 galleries from 30 countries are exhibiting at the fair, which focuses on emerging Middle Eastern talent.

Even in Dubai, the art world is feeling the economic downturn.

A third of last year's exhibitors are skipping Art Dubai.

But discounted booth rates have lured 72 exhibitors to the fair... four more than in 2009.

Around 40-percent are first-timers.

John Martin, Director and co-founder of Art Dubai, says that there is an upside to the tough times.

John Martin said, "I think that it has been healthy. The art market has responded in very positive way, you know, it's given artists the chance, for number one... the chance to concentrate a lot more on their work, they are not pressured by commercial galleries, by biennales, by all the exhibitions that go on because those things have been cut down. Galleries have been rethinking a little bit how they approach and for collectors it's an incredible opportunity."

An opportunity to see some insightful work, from the Middle East.

Hailed as one of the world's leading young contemporary painters, Sacha Jafri presents the trauma war leaves on children.

Sacha Jafri said, "You see, the child relates to conflict in a different way. The child relates to conflict in a subliminal way, the child is affected subliminally by conflict. So the idea is that it is their experiences of living through wars, living through an extraordinary time in Palestine at the moment. And fear, and being at a school that one day is there and the next day is not."

Egyptian artist Khaled Hafez deals with issues of escape in his paintings.

Khaled Hafez said, "You know the Middle East region has always been a region of exodus and immigration, and forced immigration. So basically the work is entitled 'The Book of Flight' as if there is a catalogue for the way to escape or the way to run away."

Iraqi painter Mahmoud Obaidi tackles the problems Middle Eastern people face in airports, as targets of searches. But in a way that is humorous.

Mahmoud Obaidi said, "It was in order to make American airport authorities understand that the way someone looks doesn't tell you anything. And you stop me because of the way I look. It is easy, I can dye my hair blonde in the end."

Several galleries participating in the event will champion emerging regional talent. Art Dubai ends on Saturday.