The Third Line reaches its 20th anniversary with characteristic thoughtfulness, presenting a project that's part retrospective, part cultural archaeology, and part commentary on the turbulent decades that shaped contemporary Middle Eastern art. The Only Way Out Is Through: The Twentieth Line, curated by Shumon Basar, transforms the Al Quoz gallery into a time capsule that chronicles not just the venue's journey, but the broader cultural and political upheavals that defined the early 21st century.
The exhibition draws from The Third Line's extensive archive to present works by every artist currently represented by the gallery – many pieces unseen by the public since their creation. The selection reveals fascinating trajectories: some artists whose practices have evolved dramatically over two decades, others whose visual language emerged fully formed and remained remarkably consistent. Works are arranged chronologically across four periods – 2005 to 2009, 2010 to 2015, 2016 to 2020, and 2021 to 2025 – each contextualised by floor timelines marking pivotal moments from the global financial crisis through Arab uprisings, the pandemic, and today's intersecting global crises.
Adding contemporary relevance to the retrospective format, Basar resurrects the gallery's early tradition of Flash Sales Specials – 48-hour pop-up presentations of thematically grouped works from the archive, displayed in the Viewing Room before vanishing like Instagram Stories. These limited-time offerings will be announced throughout the exhibition's run, creating urgency around previously hidden gems.
The project arrives at a moment when Dubai's cultural landscape has transformed from international scepticism to recognition as a centre for shaping postwestern discourse. Founded when contemporary Middle Eastern art lacked global recognition, The Third Line helped establish the region's artistic credibility whilst Dubai was still proving its cultural ambitions. Twenty years later, both the gallery and city occupy very different positions on the world stage.
From the HUNTR website.