Pakistan is making a big impact at this year’s Art Dubai, one of the leading international art fairs spotlighting voices from the Global South. As the art world descends on Dubai for the 2025 edition of Art Dubai, ten Pakistani artists are showcasing their work in the fair’s Contemporary section, demonstrating the country’s rich visual language and diverse artistic styles. The artists selected for the fair are a mix of veterans who have shaped the trajectory of South Asian art for decades and emerging artists who are redefining its future. They include Rasheed Araeen, a conceptual artist, sculptor, painter, writer, and curator, who was born in Karachi but made his mark in London’s radical art circles in the 1960s. Araeen’s works often incorporate open modular forms that can be re-positioned, reflecting his experience as a civil engineer. His advocacy for the representation of artists of colour has been ongoing, and he co-founded the influential journal Black Phoenix in the 1970s. Another notable artist is Anwar Saeed, a Lahore-based painter and printmaker who graduated from the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore in 1978 and completed his postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Art in London in 1985. Saeed’s canvases weave together mythology, sexuality, and personal history, showcasing his unique perspective. Faiza Butt, a Lahore-based artist, creates intricate pointillist paintings that appear almost photographic at first glance. Her style draws from miniature painting traditions, and her work has been exhibited in various museums and included in several publications. Safdar Ali Qureshi, a Larkana-based artist, specializes in miniature painting and graduated from the NCA in 2005. He brings a more meditative, abstract take on miniature art, using dashes, swirls, and subtle shifts in hue to capture memory in motion. Imran Qureshi, born in Hyderabad, is known for reviving 16th-century Mughal miniature painting techniques, merging traditional motifs with contemporary themes. His work spans various media, including site-specific installations that respond to architectural spaces. Sana Arjumand, a Karachi-born artist, paints a world tinged with mysticism. Her work grapples with inner states, spirituality, and the anxieties of modern life, featuring ethereal landscapes and symbolic creatures. Shehnaz Ismail, a craft expert and educator, has long championed Pakistan’s indigenous embroidery and weaving practices. A co-founder of Karachi’s Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, she heads the Department of Textile Design. The late Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi, a titan of modern Islamic calligraphy and symbolism, is also included in the fair. His legacy continues to inspire artists, and his contributions remain foundational to the development of Pakistani art. Shezad Dawood, a London-based artist, creates across various media, including film and virtual reality. His practice often involves collaboration and explores themes of narrative, history, and identity. Maha Ahmed, a young artist with a delicate hand, completes her BFA in Miniature Painting at NCA in 2012, followed by an MA in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins School of Art, London, in 2015. Her work touches on feelings of loneliness and curiosity through otherworldly, ethereal worlds and mystical creatures. Art Dubai is a platform for cultural exchange, partnering with museums, institutions, and curators around the world. The fair’s Global Art Forum invites artists, curators, writers, and thinkers to explore pressing cultural and philosophical themes. With visitors from over 90 countries and a strong presence of collectors, curators, critics, and cultural institutions, Art Dubai serves as a hub for cultural exchange and a showcase for the diverse artistic styles of Pakistan.