Gulf Artists Gain Global Market Traction
Over the last ten years, the art market in the Persian Gulf has evolved from a volatile state to a more stable one, influenced by events like the Sharjah Biennial (1993) and Art Dubai (2007). Significant initiatives include the Abraaj Group Art Prize (2007), the Sharjah Art Foundation (2009), the UAE pavilion at the Venice Biennale (2012), and residency programs offered by Tashkeel and the Salama Bint Hamdan Foundation. Antonia Carver, the former director of Art Dubai, notes that Dubai has emerged as a center for artists from Southeast Asia, Iran, Central Asia, and the Arab region. Prominent artists such as Ramin and Rokni Haerizadeh, Ahmed Mater, Abdullah Al Saadi, Maha Malluh, and Naeem Mohaiemen have exhibited their work at esteemed events, while UAE collectors are actively acquiring contemporary art.
Key facts
- Sharjah Biennial launched in 1993 by the culture department of Sharjah.
- Art Dubai first held ten years ago (circa 2007).
- Abraaj Group Art Prize established in 2007.
- Sharjah Art Foundation founded in 2009.
- UAE pavilion at Venice Biennale started in 2012.
- Residency programs by Tashkeel and Salama Bint Hamdan Foundation.
- Antonia Carver was director of Art Dubai from 2010 to 2016.
- Jameel Art Center to open in 2018.
- Green Art Gallery and Third Line are pioneer galleries in Al Quoz.
- Ramin Haerizadeh born 1975 in Tehran; Rokni Haerizadeh born 1978.
- Abdullah Al Saadi born 1967 in UAE.
- Maha Malluh born 1959 in Riyadh.
- Naeem Mohaiemen born 1969 in London.
- Myriam Ben Salah is curator of the next Abraaj Group Art Prize.
Entities
Artists
- Ramin Haerizadeh
- Rokni Haerizadeh
- Hesam Rahmanian
- Ahmed Mater
- Abdullah Al Saadi
- Maha Malluh
- Naeem Mohaiemen
- Antonia Carver
- Myriam Ben Salah
- Massimiliano Gioni
- Christine Macel
Institutions
- Sharjah Biennial
- Art Dubai
- Abraaj Group Art Prize
- Sharjah Art Foundation
- UAE Pavilion at Venice Biennale
- Tashkeel
- Salama Bint Hamdan Foundation
- Jameel Art Center
- Green Art Gallery
- Third Line
- IVDE
- Total Arts
- Alserkal Avenue
- Triennale Milano
- Venice Biennale
- documenta 14
- JustFilms/Ford Foundation
- Artribune
Locations
- Persian Gulf
- Sharjah
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Iran
- Tehran
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Riyadh
- Jeddah
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Oman
- Al Quoz
- Milan
- Venice
- London
- Tokyo