The sixth edition of Menart Fair unfolded last month at the heart of Paris’s Marais district, reaffirming its position as Europe’s only fair dedicated to the art scenes of the Middle East and North Africa. Held during Paris Art Week, the fair attracted over 7,000 visitors, and brought together 40 galleries from 18 countries and presenting 117 artists over.
Anchored by the theme Softness, this year’s edition chose nuance over spectacle, foregrounding sensitivity as an act of resistance in a visually saturated art world. The atmosphere reflected a deliberate balance between critical reflection and aesthetic subtlety, positioning Menart Fair as a site of dialogue rather than display.
Sales proved strong across all price ranges, particularly between €8,000 and €15,000, with 90 percent of participating galleries reporting acquisitions. Collectors from across the MENA region joined their European and international counterparts, reinforcing the fair’s role as a meeting point for diverse audiences. The presence of major institutions, including the Guggenheim New York, the Louvre Museum, and the Sharjah Art Foundation, further confirmed the growing global interest in the region’s artists.
A highlight of this edition was the special focus on the Tunisian art scene, curated by Victoria Jonathan. Presented in partnership with the Département de la Seine-Maritime, the exhibition titled Slow and Steady Wears the Stone gathered eight artists exploring themes of memory, identity, and transformation through installations, photography, and conceptual works. The fair also featured many captivating performances, among them: Kevork Mourad’s live drawing performance, merging visual art and sound in real time, and Sarine Semerjian’s performance-painting, blending gesture and pigment to explore embodiment and expression.
Through its thoughtful curation, engaged audience, and strong market results, Menart Fair 2025 demonstrated the vitality of Middle Eastern and North African art, reaffirming its place within the global art landscape while maintaining the quiet strength of its chosen theme.