More than 150 artworks are gathered at Christie's auction house, marking the largest exhibition of Arab art in London. The exhibition, titled "Modern and Contemporary Art in the Arab World," is divided into two sections and features pieces from across the region over the span of 80 years and through various mediums.
The first section, "Constellation: Selections from the Barjeel Art Foundation," includes about 100 pieces that are not for sale and achieves gender balance. The second section, "Reimagined Emirati Art: Hassan Sharif and Contemporary Voices," highlights the pioneering artist and includes pieces available for loan and sale. Both sections showcase paintings, sculptures, and installations from well-known and lesser-known names.
The exhibition curator and Vice President for Middle East and North Africa at Christie's, Reza Momeni, stated at the opening, "This is special because we are trying to highlight the practice of collecting and acquiring at the Barjeel Art Foundation, with 50% male and 50% female artists from different geographical areas in the Arab world."
Key artworks in "Constellation" include "The Head" by Syrian painter Marwan from the mid-1970s, "The Formative Radiance" by Lebanese artist Samia Aassignan Junblatt from the late 1960s, and "Dreams of the Detainee" by Egyptian painter and activist Inji Aflatoun from 1961.
The Emirati section focuses on Hassan Sharif's works and also presents young talents. The exhibition runs until August 23 at Christie's in London, with free admission.
