Christie’s to Hold First Abu Dhabi Auction on 1 November
On 1 November, Christie's will host its inaugural fine-art auction in Abu Dhabi, named Mawasim: 20 Years of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art, at The Abu Dhabi EDITION. This auction showcases over 70 pieces spanning six decades, commemorating two decades since Christie's first auction in the UAE, which took place in Dubai in 2006. Featured artists include Paul Guiragossian, Samia Halaby, and Mohamed Melehi. Notable lots consist of Guiragossian’s Noces Wedding (1958–59) with an estimated value of USD 300,000–500,000, Halaby’s Yesterday (1978) priced at USD 200,000–300,000, and Melehi’s A30 (1962) valued at USD 100,000–150,000. This event aligns with Frieze Abu Dhabi from 19 to 22 November and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opening on 11 December.
Key facts
- Christie’s first Abu Dhabi auction is scheduled for 1 November.
- The sale, titled Mawasim: 20 Years of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art, features over 70 works.
- It marks 20 years since Christie’s first UAE sale in Dubai in 2006.
- The auction takes place at The Abu Dhabi EDITION.
- Artists represented include Paul Guiragossian, Samia Halaby, Mohamed Melehi, Nabil Nahas, Marwan, Inji Efflatoun, Nadia Saikali and Hassan Sharif.
- Highlight lots include Guiragossian’s Noces Wedding (1958–59) at USD 300,000–500,000 and Halaby’s Yesterday (1978) at USD 200,000–300,000.
- Five works come from Sharjah’s Barjeel Art Foundation and eight from the Dalloul Collection in Beirut.
- The Abu Dhabi exhibition runs from 28 October to 1 November, with previews in New York, Paris and London.
Entities
Artists
- Paul Guiragossian
- Samia Halaby
- Mohamed Melehi
- Nabil Nahas
- Marwan
- Inji Efflatoun
- Nadia Saikali
- Hassan Sharif
- Farid Trad
- Ridha Moumni
- Baya Mahieddine
- Jackson Pollock
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Faisel Laibi Sahi
- Fahrelnissa
Institutions
- Christie’s
- The Abu Dhabi EDITION
- Sharjah Art Museum
- Barjeel Art Foundation
- Dalloul Collection
- Manarat Al Saadiyat
- Frieze Abu Dhabi
- Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- Academia di Belle Arti
- Christie's
- Christie's Middle East and Africa
- Saleh Barakat Gallery
- Maraya Art Centre
- InsideArt
Locations
- Abu Dhabi
- United Arab Emirates
- Dubai
- Egypt
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- Palestine
- Syria
- Saudi Arabia
- Türkiye
- Sharjah
- Beirut
- New York
- Paris
- London
- Rome
- Italy
- United States
- France
- United Kingdom
- Turkey
- Cairo
- Baghdad
- Doha
- Middle East
- North Africa