The Third Line Competitors

Special edition of Art Dubai, 15-17 May 2026. Art Dubai brings together Art Dubai Fair and Art Dubai Projects.

Staged on the spectacular Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi is one of Sydney’s most popular events, with 500,000 visitors viewing over 100 sculptures by artists from around the world. Held since 1997, this free to the public exhibition captures the imagination of Sydney and its visitors for three weeks each spring and is the largest annual sculpture exhibition in the world. The exhibition generates an almost unprecedented level of goodwill among the public as they enjoy one of the most unique events in the world. The popularity of the Bondi exhibition led to the creation of Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe in Perth on Australia’s Indian Ocean coast in March each year. Staged since 2005 the Cottesloe exhibition features over 70 sculptures and is enjoyed by 220,000 visitors, making the exhibition as much a part of Perth as the Bondi show is in Sydney.

Founded in 2009 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by Mohammed Hafiz and Hamza Serafi, ATHR Gallery has from its onset been a pioneering gallery with a focus toward elevating contemporary Middle Eastern art on a global scale. Serving as a cultural bridge between Saudi Arabia and the world, its artists have been the driving force of the gallery from the inception and have inspired the responsive mandate that evolves to accommodate the ever-changing local scene. ATHR Gallery prides itself on being adaptive – a testament to a legacy that has spanned over a decade and encompasses artists working across multiple disciplines and subject matters, from traditional media such as painting and sculpture to more unconventional methods that echo the daring nature of the gallery. The topics they address also vary wildly, covering a spectrum of narratives that range from the interpersonal to the macro-cultural. ATHR has expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia with two new locations following the success of its flagship space in Jeddah; ATHR Al-Ula is the first contemporary art gallery in the historical city, while its latest outpost, ATHR JAX in Riyadh, marks the gallery’s move to the capital. Following the success of ATHR Gallery, ATHR has branched out to create the ATHR Foundation, with a focus on fostering the careers of emerging artists and the development of artistic spaces. ATHR has also diversified its ventures to include AKTHR: a cultural project delivery agency for Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.