As the Middle East's largest contemporary retail art fair ‘World Art Dubai’ (W.A.D) is all set to return for its eighth edition from Wednesday to the UAE's glitziest city - where this year, painter Mahfuzur Rahman is set to make his mark as the first Bangladeshi artist to be featured at W.A.D.

Mahfuzur will have hids his own stand (Q 07) displaying 13 of his paintings at the famous art fair from March 16-19 at Dubai's World Trade Centre.

Sharing his excitement with UNB from Dubai, Mahfuzur Rahman said this is an incredible achievement of his career to participate in the glorious international platform, hoisting the Bangladeshi flag as the first-ever participating painter from his motherland.

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“Words cannot describe how immensely happy and proud I am to be the first and only Bangladeshi Artist participating in this world-famous art carnival, known for interconnecting the art world to the artists and artwork buyers. All praise to my Almighty and I am thankful to all of my family, friends and well-wishers,” Rahman told UNB.

Hosting a gigantic collection of more than 4000 artwork pieces from more than 120 renowned galleries and solo artists hailing from 50 plus countries, this year’s World Art Dubai is set to enthral art admirers with multiple art workshops, art talks, live performances and several other segments highlighting young talents from diverse backgrounds and giving them the opportunity to be seen, thrive, and network with the art world.

At the event, Mahfuzur is also participating with the Funun art group with 74 artists. He will also participate in another segment titled ArtWalk. 

A full-time corporate professional and also a passionate contemporary painter, Mahfuzur Rahman has participated in over 20 solo and group art exhibitions in eight countries around the world.

In September last year, two of his paintings were displayed at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) art event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Set to be World Art Dubai’s largest and most diverse edition ever, the event aspires to enthral the art admirers through a collection of paintings, prints, sculptures, street and digital art featuring an inaugural NFT platform. Typically, artworks at World Art Dubai are priced from $100 to $20,000.

Like the recently concluded Art Dubai which had its first digital art section this year, the eighth World Art Dubai will also dedicate a zone to crypto art titled W.A.D Next. In addition, it will provide information on cryptocurrency via a special talk programmed by MENA Tech alongside a podcast on NFTs titled Crypto Sheikhs.

Other highlights this year include a show of underwater artworks by Singapore-based artist Olga Belka. Her sculptures were made at the bottom of the sea, with the artist diving multiple times to complete her unique underwater projects.