Move, Pause, Return: Marking 20 Years

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, Gallery Isabelle invites prominent figures from the local art scene; artists who were present from the very beginning, who helped build the ecosystem alongside us, and who have grown, persisted, and moved forward together overtime.

Shaped through years of shared commitment, this gathering reflects an accumulated history of stories, relationships, and artistic development. The project emerged from an ongoing conversation with Alexie Glass-Kantor, Curatorial Director at Art Dubai Group, around the notion of accumulation, as both a curatorial method and a lived experience.

Accumulation here speaks to first encounters and decisive turning points, to emblematic works that shifted narratives, to new introductions, neighbors, and the wider community that has enabled the gallery to remain present, relevant, responsive, and adaptable across two decades.

The exhibition will unfold over a period of 20 days, beginning on March 23, with one work revealed each day. Writers, collectors, and curators are invited to engage closely with a selected work, contributing a short text—whether a quote, reflection, or personal anecdote—that responds to their encounter with it. The 20 days will culminate in a reception at the gallery, where all works are exhibited simultaneously, marking a collective celebration of thescene we have built, sustained, and continue to shape together.