Nine to ten: Funun Arts Group nears a milestone at World Art Dubai fair
- 3 hours ago
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
When it took part in World Art Dubai (Apr. 17 – 20), Funun Arts Group, the UAE-based art community, was celebrating nine consecutive years of participation in the fair. “Funun Arts Group continues to grow, inspire and redefine what it means to be an artistic movement rooted in community, culture and creative excellence,” say Shiba Khan and Farah Khan, co-founders of the Group. From a modest beginning in 2016 with a single 12-square-metre stand and representing only a few artists, Funun Arts Group is now one of the largest and most diverse participating art organisations in World Art Dubai. In its career of nearly a decade, it has showcased over 500 artists from 60 nationalities in the fair.
Shiba Khan and Farah Khan, also known as the Khan Sisters in the art fraternity, say that “what began as a passion project to unite artists and give them a voice, has blossomed into a global creative movement.” “In our very first year,” says Shiba Khan, who is also an artist, “we didn’t know what to look forward to. We only had a vision – to bring people together through art and create a platform where voices, especially of women, youth and emerging artists, could be seen and heard.”
Nine years later, the vision has realised itself into one of the UAE’s most active and impactful art bodies, hailed not only for its consistent presence in all major art events, but also for the innovative experiences and meaningful conversations it brings to them, particularly to World Art Dubai, every year. This year’s presentation by the Group was a visual journey and emotional treat across continents and cultures. Funun’s stands offered visitors a rich palette of styles and techniques, from traditional techniques to experimental projects.
Included was Abstract Expressionism and Realism (side by side), reflecting both the inner psyche and the outer world; charcoal sketches showing depth and maturity; mixed media and fluid art, spontaneous with movement; paper quilling and glass art done with detail and precision and displays such as paintings on copper trays, leatherwork on canvas, and art-infused carpets, bridging fine art and artisanal craft. Every artwork, speaking softly or boldly, told a story – of its origins, identity, resilience, enthusiasm, and imagination. Artists from India, Pakistan, Syria, Iran, Lebanon, the UK, Philippines, Italy, and many more countries, had travelled to Dubai to be a part of the showcase.
“We were proud to represent a truly global family of artists,” says Farah Khan. “Each artist brought not just their art, but their soul, their heritage, and a message that connects with someone out there.” Funun Arts Group has a commitment to innovation in presentation. One of the most talked about performances was “Rhythmic Painting” in 2022, a fusion of movement and brushwork.
Shiba Khan painted live to the rhythms of a classical Indian dancer; it was a moving canvas that came to life with each gesture and brushstroke. It was also a powerful reminder of how visual and performing arts can merge into a single artistic event, erasing boundaries between different forms of art. Other creative highlights offered by the Group have included “Circle of Life”, a collaborative installation symbolising unity, environmental consciousness and the infinite cycle of creativity; and “Sustainable Fashion Show”, where artists turned recycled materials into fashion statements, advocating for eco-consciousness through wearable art.
These features, besides giving food for thought and entertaining the audience, also served a greater purpose — connecting art to sustainability, inclusivity and innovation, which are themes that resonate deeply in today’s world. This year’s World Art Dubai also saw the inclusion of young artists from the Annual Student Art Show (ASAS), the flagship educational initiative of Funun Arts Group. Eighteen student winners, selected from hundreds of submissions, were given the opportunity to exhibit their works at World Art Dubai, alongside the creations of seasoned artists.
Student artworks explored the theme “Art and Innovation”, blending traditional ideas with futuristic concepts. From AI-inspired pieces to climate-change reflections, the expressions were instinctive, powerful, and quite insightful. “This was more than a reward: it was a life-changing moment,” says Shiba Khan. “Seeing their eyes light up as they explained their works to a visitor or posed with their art — it reminded us why we do what we do. Art empowers, art uplifts.”
The Funun Arts Group spaces saw dignitaries and students, seasoned collectors and first-time buyers, finding something to admire, connect with, or be inspired by. “Each day of the fair was alive with colour, conversation, and creative synergy,” says Farah Khan. She noted that “the UAE has become a global art and culture hub. And platforms like World Art Dubai are not just exhibitions — they are incubators of talent, dialogue, and dreams.”
With nine successful years behind them, the Khan Sisters and their ever-growing community of artists, are looking ahead. Plans for international exhibitions, youth mentorships, art-tech collaborations and cross-cultural residencies, are already underway. “We don’t just want to exhibit — we want to educate, innovate, and elevate,” says Shiba Khan. “Funun Arts Group stands for creativity with purpose - and we’re only just getting started.” World Art Dubai is the largest art fair in the GCC region, attracting thousands of visitors, VIP guests, collectors and artists from all over the globe. With over 10,000 artworks on display, its 2025 version was a major commemoration of the world’s creative spirit.