Khalaf, a founding member of the influential Gulf artist collective GCC and former curator at the Serpentine Galleries Edgeware Road Project, has established herself as one of the most significant figures shaping the contemporary art world in 2025. Despite her initial reluctance to embrace the curator title, she has become a driving force behind some of the year's most important international art events.
In July, speaking to Experimenters Curators Hub, Khalaf candidly shared her past discomfort with being labeled a curator, admitting that she "was really uncomfortable to be named a curator for a really long time." However, she acknowledged the necessity of accepting this role given the rapid acceleration of her career and expanding responsibilities across the global art scene.
Khalaf's departure from Cubitt during the summer marked the end of a significant chapter in her career. After serving six years as director of programs at the London artist-run space, her decision to leave became understandable given her increasingly demanding workload that extended far beyond the organization's walls. Her growing international commitments required her full attention and dedication.
One of her most notable achievements this year was co-curating the 16th Sharjah Biennial, an ambitious exhibition featuring more than 200 artists that concluded in June. This major international art event showcased her ability to manage large-scale curatorial projects and coordinate works from artists around the world, cementing her reputation in the global art community.
Following the success of the Sharjah Biennial, Khalaf immediately shifted her focus to Thailand, where she took charge of Ghost:2568, the third and final edition of the Bangkok festival. This unique event was originally founded by artist Korakrit Arunanondchai and represented the culmination of an important artistic endeavor. Under Khalaf's direction, the festival featured works by renowned artists including ChimPom from Smappa!Group, Paul Pfeiffer, and Ryan Trecartin, strategically placed across Thailand's capital city.
Looking ahead, Khalaf has another major international project on the horizon. She is set to co-direct the Busan Biennale in September next year, working alongside Belgian curator Evelyn Simons under the compelling title "Dissident Chorus." This upcoming collaboration promises to further establish her influence in the international biennial circuit and continue her trajectory as a leading voice in contemporary curatorial practice.
