Dubai, UAE – February 19, 2025 – The curtains have officially closed on TAF – The Art Fest International 2025, leaving behind a legacy of artistic brilliance, cultural exchange, and global unity. Held at the Taj Hotel Business Bay, Dubai, from February 14 to 16, 2025, the festival brought together over 100 artists from 25+ countries and exhibited more than 300 exceptional artworks. This year’s edition reinforced TAF’s standing as a premier international art festival, fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse artistic expressions across borders.
A Global Showcase of Artistic Brilliance
This year’s festival transcended geographical boundaries, celebrating the universal language of art. With participation from artists across continents, TAF 2025 provided a dynamic platform for creative dialogue, encouraging a seamless exchange of ideas and cultural narratives.
Founder Suraj Laheru, a visionary and passionate leader with experience of numerous successful art fairs and a renowned name in the art industry, reflected on the festival’s overwhelming success:
“Our vision for this festival was to create an inclusive and inspiring space where art becomes the bridge that connects cultures and communities.”
Curatorial Excellence and Thematic Highlights
Under the expert curation of Art Fest director Minali Thakkar, TAF 2025 presented a meticulously selected mix of emerging and established artists, ensuring a thought-provoking and enriching experience for attendees. A curator with unparalleled finesse, Minali shared:
“Each piece exhibited at the festival was chosen to spark dialogue, challenge perceptions, and resonate with audiences on a deeper level.”
A key highlight was the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Global Wall, an evocative installation symbolizing the philosophy of “The World is One Family.” This unique exhibit underscored TAF’s commitment to fostering cultural unity through artistic expression, including an impressive art display showcasing works from artists across 18 nationalities, all under the unifying concept of the “Global Wall.”
Opening Ceremony and Esteemed Guests
The grand opening ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries and influential personalities, who inaugurated the festival with their inspiring presence:
- His Excellency Yaqoob Al Ali
- Her Excellency Laila Rahhal
- Ahmed Al Awadhi
- Mr. Abdul Jaber Weiss (Deanship of Students Affairs, Sharjah University)
Festival Highlights and Prestigious Showcases
- Masters Pavilion: A distinguished segment dedicated to Indian art legends, featuring works by M.F. Husain, B. Prabha, S.H. Raza, J. Swaminathan, Manjit Bawa, and other renowned masters.
- The Lineage: Vanshavali – “The Lineage: Vanshavali” is a unique art exhibition curated by Minali, Festival Director, celebrating generational talent. It features the works of very senior legendary artist late Gopal Adivlekar, his wife, and their three children ,all of whom are accomplished artists in their own right. Ratnadeep, Ujwala and Madhvi Gangan displayed together on the same wall.
Interactive Workshops and Engaging Discussions
A key aspect of TAF 2025 was its emphasis on interactive learning and knowledge exchange. Standout sessions included:
- Live Watercolor Demonstration by renowned artist Atul Panse, captivating audiences with his fluid artistic techniques. During the session, Minali Thakkar remarked that watercolors teach us invaluable life lessons—there are no redos, only the beauty of embracing imperfections.
- Workshop by Jack Lee an internationally renowned artist who conducted Interactive abstract impressionism workshop with knife painting teaching creative processes.
- Workshop by Maryna Futymska a celebrated artist who guided the curious participants with Watercolor techniques and skill sets.
- Panel discussions featured distinguished voices from the global art sphere, delving into key topics such as the future of contemporary art, and the role of cross-cultural influences in shaping modern artistry. Minali Thakker moderated the panel, keeping it engaging with insightful questions and an engaging conversation.
Notable Speakers at TAF 2025
This year’s festival featured insightful discussions and talks from some of the most distinguished voices in the art world. Renowned speakers included Marjan Farjam, Muskrat Yasmin, Rafah Abdul Razzak, Diyali Sen Bhalla, and Shiba Khan.
Strategic Collaborations and Cross-Border Synergies
This year’s festival saw strengthened international partnerships, reinforcing the cultural synergy between India and the UAE. Funun’s invaluable contribution as a strategic partner exemplified the event’s mission to build artistic bridges across nations. In addition, TAF appreciates the collaboration of the supporting partners, Ambika Vohra, Hitiksha Vora, Urmi Thakkar, ArtforumUAE – Peter Gressman, Dessert Frames and Poetic Strokes, Tejas Pawani.
Additionally, the legendary UAE artists participation of Akbar Shahib, Aslam Noor, ANJINI Prakash Laitu, Artists UAE, renowned women artist of UAE Najat Makki, played an instrumental role in fostering global artistic dialogues.
Honoring Artistic Excellence
The festival proudly showcased exceptional talents, including prominent artists such as Subrata Sen, Yuvraj Patil, Bharti Shah, Beenu Rao, Karishma Wadhwa, Aniket Khupse and many more. Additionally, the participation of the esteemed galarist of Eminent Art Gallery, Abid Hussain further cemented TAF’s reputation as a distinguished global art platform.
Among the participating artists, there was a remarkable presence of women artists, showcasing their vast expertise across diverse subject matters. Notable names included Sonal Gupta, Israth Humairah, Arpita, Sushama Goenka, Parul Narain, Komal Bhanver, Sharmila, Sampa Pal, Pari Sagar, Maria Aamer, and Rita Chehab, whose artworks left visitors spellbound with their unique storytelling and mastery of form.
Furthermore, distinguished artists Palash Haldar, Parmesh Paul, Param Singh, Subroto Sen, and Jaganath Paul have shown continuous support and participation in all past and present editions of TAF, contributing significantly to the festival’s growth and prestige.
Promising works by emerging artists with great potential include those by Sunil Bindhani, Ali Al Ali, and Imran Liyakhath Ali Khan, and D Khaled Tranbl.
Grand Inauguration and Closing Reflections
As the event came to a close, visitors and artists celebrated the seamless fusion of global and local artistic expressions, making TAF 2025 a truly memorable occasion.
Art Fest Director, Minali Thakkar, a seasoned expert in curatorial strategies, shared a closing statement:
“The success of this year’s festival is a powerful testament to the role of art in connecting people, inspiring dialogue, and shaping cultural narratives. We extend our deepest gratitude to the artists, curators, partners, and attendees for their unwavering support.”
Looking Ahead to Future Editions
The pioneering founder, Suraj Laheru concluded: “We are already planning future editions of The Art Fest with an emphasis on inclusivity, cross-cultural dialogues, and continuing to break new ground in the global art scene.”
Save the Date for TAF 2026!
We are thrilled to announce that TAF – The Art Fest International will be returning next year! Mark your calendars for the 2026 edition, scheduled for January 22-25, 2026.
Stay tuned for more updates!
