Sharjah Art Foundation announces the eighth edition of Focal Point, Sharjah’s annual art book fair celebrating the breadth and innovation of contemporary publishing. Bringing together a diverse range of printed materials and publications from artists’ presses, bookmakers, self-publishers and non-commercial cultural producers, the fair continues to champion experimental approaches to the medium of print.

Taking place from 12 to 14 December 2025 at Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, Focal Point 2025 has invited selected community leaders, artists, graphic designers, print studios and independent practitioners to present publications from their respective cultural ecosystems. Other dedicated sections will highlight contributions from UAE-based artists, as well as titles recommended by the Foundation.

The fair will complement its offerings with specialised workshops focusing on publishing processes and alternative printing techniques, as well as a series of book launches promoting regional voices. The Eyes of Gaza: A Diary of Resilience draws from Plestia Alaqad’s on-the-ground reporting during the genocide in Gaza, while Tehran Zine’s Souvenirs from Iran explores the emotional and linguistic traces shaped by ongoing conversations about leaving and migration. The comic anthology Corniche will also launch its seventh volume, spotlighting emerging illustrators and writers from the region.

This year’s programme additionally features a Reading Room, a DIY Postcard Station, and the communal lounge of the Focal Point Printing Press, curated by Bootleg Griot.

The fair also marks the release of Energia, a new vinyl by Kawol SamarQandi, developed during his 2024 residency with the Foundation. Produced in collaboration with Ramble Records, the album captures SamarQandi’s minimalist approach to composition using as few notes as possible. Visitors can find the vinyl at the SAF Shop booth.

List of Participants

Visiting Focal Point 2025

Dates: Friday to Sunday, 12–14 December 2025
Venue: Bait Obaid Al Shamsi, Arts Square
Timings: 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

Admission is free, but prior registration is required.

About Sharjah Art Foundation

Sharjah Art Foundation is an advocate, catalyst and producer of contemporary art within the Emirate of Sharjah and the surrounding region, in dialogue with the international arts community. The Foundation advances an experimental and wide-ranging programmatic model that supports the production and presentation of contemporary art, preserves and celebrates the distinct culture of the region and encourages a shared understanding of the transformational role of art. The Foundation’s core initiatives include the long-running Sharjah Biennial, featuring contemporary artists from around the world; the annual March Meeting, a convening of international arts professionals and artists; grants and residencies for artists, curators and cultural producers; ambitious and experimental commissions and a range of travelling exhibitions and scholarly publications.

Established in 2009 to expand programmes beyond the Sharjah Biennial, which launched in 1993, the Foundation is a critical resource for artists and cultural organisations in the Gulf and a conduit for local, regional and international developments in contemporary art. The Foundation’s deep commitment to developing and sustaining the cultural life and heritage of Sharjah is reflected through year-round exhibitions, performances, screenings and educational programmes in the city of Sharjah and across the Emirate, often hosted in historic buildings that have been repurposed as cultural and community centres. A growing collection reflects the Foundation’s support of contemporary artists in the realisation of new work and its recognition of the contributions made by pioneering modern artists from the region and around the world.

Sharjah Art Foundation is a legally independent public body established by Emiri Decree and supported by government funding, grants from national and international nonprofits and cultural organisations, corporate sponsors and individual patrons. Hoor Al Qasimi serves as President and Director. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.

About Sharjah

Sharjah is the third largest of the seven United Arab Emirates and the only one bridging the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Reflecting the deep commitment to the arts, architectural preservation and cultural education embraced by its ruler, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah is home to more than 20 museums and has long been known as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. In 1998, it was named UNESCO's 'Arab Capital of Culture' and has been designated the UNESCO ‘World Book Capital’ for the year 2019.

Media contact

Alyazeyah Al Marri 
alyazeyah@sharjahart.org 
+971 (0)6 5444113