The Third Line Competitors

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

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.

Gulf Photo Plus is Dubai’s center for photography, equipping and inspiring the local and international photography community through photography workshops, free artist talks, state-of-the-art printing services, and the region’s longest-running international photography event, GPP Photo Week.