- IKKA continues Dubai’s only permanent in-house restaurant gallery programme
- ONENESS explores unity, healing, and shared cultural identity themes
- Art debuts here before entering the wider UAE gallery circuit
- Dining and contemporary art merge into one immersive social experience
High above Jumeirah, where the Dubai skyline stretches into evening light, dinner now comes with a side of contemplation. At IKKA inside Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai, plates arrive alongside paintings, and conversations move easily between flavor and form. It is not a pop-up. It is a philosophy.
With ONENESS, running from 4 March to 3 April 2026, IKKA continues what it claims is Dubai’s only permanent rotating in-house restaurant gallery. The concept challenges the traditional art circuit by debuting contemporary works within a dining setting before they move into formal gallery spaces. Art meets appetite.
Dubai’s cultural scene has increasingly embraced hybrid spaces, where hospitality and creativity intersect. From concept stores doubling as exhibition hubs to cafés hosting poetry nights, audiences are seeking environments that feel immersive rather than compartmentalized. IKKA fits that shift perfectly. It feels social. It feels intentional.
Curated by Sellah Global Events and presented in collaboration with TeryMari Gallery, ONENESS brings together guest artist Susan Villanueva-de Guzman and resident artist Marc Salamat. The exhibition unfolds through four thematic works, each reflecting a progression of awareness and connection.
‘7 Yet One’ speaks to unity within diversity, inspired by the spirit of the UAE. Distinct elements stand independently yet belong to one shared composition. ‘Panels of Hope’ turns inward, using light and openings to suggest renewal after hardship. ‘Know Thyself’ focuses on humility and self-awareness as foundations for transformation. Finally, ‘Infinite Love’ portrays union beyond the self, presenting love as a force that bridges differences across humanity. Quiet themes. Big resonance.
What makes ONENESS compelling is not only the artwork, but its setting. Chef José Luis’s artistic background informs the restaurant’s identity, shaping a space where time slows and presence matters. Guests encounter art organically, between courses and conversations, rather than through silent gallery walls. The experience feels fluid.
In a city known for spectacle, IKKA’s approach feels contemplative. It encourages diners to pause in a fast-moving world, reflect on belonging, and engage in dialogue that extends beyond the table. Art becomes part of the evening’s rhythm.
ONENESS is on view at IKKA from 5 March to 3 April 2026, with the opening night on 4 March at 7:30pm. Reserve your table, step into the skyline, and experience contemporary art woven seamlessly into Dubai’s dining scene!
Instagram: @ikkadubai
