The May 24 sale at the Emirates Tower Hotel, will be devoted to the bouyant sector of contemporary and Modern art.
Christie’s say they are hoping to attract custom from India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, and the Levant region as well as Iran. The new sale will feature work by Arab, Indian and Iranian as well as Western artists.
Christie’s were first off the blocks with a presence in the region when they opened a Dubai office managed by Lydia Limerick in April 2005.
Edward Dolman, Christie’s CEO, said that the company’s carefully tailored auction aims to reflect growing demand amongst the diverse Middle Eastern communities. “The sale is a first step in this emerging market and will allow us to come closer to collectors and assess the potential in this region going foward.”
The auction house are also hoping to interest the local clientele in other collecting fields. In March they will take a selection of highlights from forthcoming worldwide auctions to Dubai that they know will be popular, putting Islamic art, jewellery and watches on view from March 19-22.
Christie’s to sell art in Dubai
Christie’s will test the potentially lucrative waters of the Middle Eastern market in situ by holding an inaugural sale in Dubai this spring.
