Art Basel Qatar 2027: Wassan Al-Khudhairi Named Artistic Director as Curatorial Theme Is Revealed

Art Basel, presented in partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) and QC+, welcomes Wassan Al-Khudhairi as Artistic Director of Art Basel Qatar 2027. The Iraqi curator succeeds artist Wael Shawky, who shaped the curatorial vision of the inaugural edition alongside Vincenzo de Bellis, Art Basel's Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Fairs. Al-Khudhairi will develop the artistic and curatorial direction of the 2027 edition in close collaboration with de Bellis, and will guide the gallery selection process together with the fair's dedicated Selection Committee.

Al-Khudhairi brings deep regional expertise and a globally informed curatorial practice to the role. Her connection to Qatar and the MENASA region was shaped most significantly by her tenure as Founding Director of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, which she opened in 2010. She is currently a Partner at The Curatorial / Office and was most recently part of the curatorial team for the 2025 Hawaii Triennial ALOHA NŌ. Her international biennial experience includes serving as Co-Artistic Director of the 9th Gwangju Biennial in South Korea (2012) and Co-Curator of the 6th Asian Art Biennial in Taiwan (2017).

The curatorial theme for the 2027 edition is between / بين. It explores the condition of being "between" as a generative space – one that stays open, refuses a singular definition, and invites encounter, exchange, and fluidity across generations, geographies, and perspectives.

The fair will once again be hosted across Msheireb Downtown Doha in its established venues: the Doha Design District (DDD) and M7 cultural forum. The 2027 edition will significantly expand its Special Projects sector, offering visitors new immersive experiences across multiple formats. Gallery applications for the 2027 edition are now open.

Art Basel Qatar's Premium Partner is Qatar Airways.