Gilad Ratman has been selected to represent Israel at the Venice Biennale.

Lebanese artist Shawki Youssef investigates the representation of the body in contemporary art, through a focus on visceral abstraction and flux.

The ongoing Syrian conflict has wreaked havoc on the historical topography of one of the world’s oldest civilisations.

Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, writers have reflected the tumultuous history of their country and have attempted to understand the emergence of Israeli identity, and its manifestation in the broader canvas of Jewish culture.

At the 55th Venice Biennale (1 June – 24 November), the National Pavilion for the United Arab Emirates will centre on the theme: Walking on Water.

Resilience and Light: Contemporary Palestinian Art is a new exhibition that opened on 11th April 2013 at the Studio 3 Gallery, University of Kent.

Jerusalem born artist Dor Guez's work focuses on the plight of marginalised communities in the Middle East; reflecting his own mixed Christian Palestinian and Jewish Tunisian heritage.

Sarah Zakzouk visits the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern Library of Alexandria, and finds an impressive institution recapturing the spirit of the original library of antiquity.

Syrian artist Mohammad Abbas’s anthropomorphically ambiguous paintings are a means of questioning our own humanity and the immutability of our belief systems.

Sarah Zakzouk explores the new flowering of culture in Egypt following the Arab Spring – and advocates yet greater engagement.

Iraqi born artist Adel Abidin’s Symphony at Dubai’s Lawrie Shabibi pays homage to the 90 Iraqi students killed by religious extremists in Baghdad.

Founded in November 2004, Braverman Gallery is located in an emerging area of Tel Aviv. The gallery provides a platform for all contemporary art media, with a strong focus on video and installation art.

Carbon 12 Dubai was established in 2008, with the aim to support international contemporary artists in the Middle-East. The gallery’s focus is to promote an emerging artist program and to represent well established international artists.

Located in Muscat, this gallery is set in a traditional Omani house, previously owned by a member of the Royal Family. Renovated into a modern trendy space, Bait Muzna Gallery proudly opens its doors to art patrons old and new, artists, art appreciators and the public.

Aun Gallery is Tehran's first privately-owned art space designed and built to showcase contemporary art. Aun Gallery seeks to promote exceptionally talented young Iranian artists and support their contribution to Iran's rich tradition in the arts and culture.

Alāan Artspace is a multi-functional contemporary gallery that is dedicated to nurturing emerging and established contemporary artists and designers from Saudi Arabia, the region and across the globe.