Sotheby's Dubai Inaugural Auction Sees Strong Demand for Middle Eastern Art

On November 13, 2017, Sotheby's launched its first auction in Dubai, named "Boundless Dubai," with the support of Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This event showcased 106 items, encompassing oil paintings, prints, photography, sculptures, and design pieces, emphasizing the cultural dialogue between the Middle East and its heritage. Director Ashkan Baghestani highlighted the impact of Arab culture on Western art. Among the prominent Italian pieces were Mario Schifano's "Oasi" (1978) and Carla Accardi's "Azzurro Rosso" (1972). The auction's highlights included Ali Banisadr's "In Media Res" (2015) selling for $360,000 and Bahman Mohasses's "Untitled" (1966) for $300,000, with a notable preference for Middle Eastern artists observed locally, while Western contemporary works did not sell.