ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Christie's Online Sale Marks 20 Years of Middle Eastern Art Auctions

market-auction · 2026-05-22

Christie's has initiated an online auction called 'Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art: Online,' showcasing 62 pieces from creators hailing from the Gulf, Iraq, Iran, the Levant, and North Africa. This event marks the 20th anniversary of the auction house's first Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art auction held in the United Arab Emirates in 2006. The collection includes various forms such as painting, sculpture, photography, and works on paper, reflecting the evolution of art from early modernist styles in Cairo and Baghdad to contemporary innovations in Beirut and Doha. Notably, Samia Halaby's 'River Rapids' (2021), valued between £80,000 and £120,000, highlights her advanced abstraction. This auction emphasizes the enduring richness and international significance of the genre.

Key facts

  • Christie's online auction includes 62 lots of modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art.
  • The sale marks 20 years since Christie's first Middle Eastern art auction in the UAE in 2006.
  • Works originate from the Gulf, Levant, Iraq, Iran, and North Africa.
  • Media includes painting, sculpture, photography, and works on paper.
  • Samia Halaby's 'River Rapids' (2021) is estimated at £80,000–120,000.
  • The auction traces art from early modernism in Cairo and Baghdad to contemporary work in Beirut and Doha.

Entities

Artists

  • Samia Halaby

Institutions

  • Christie's

Locations

  • United Arab Emirates
  • Cairo
  • Baghdad
  • Beirut
  • Doha

Sources