Christie’s is set to mark 20 years since its inaugural sale in the UAE with “MAWASIM: 20 Years of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art”, a landmark live auction taking place on the 1st of November at The Abu Dhabi EDITION.
Paul Guiragossian, Noces, 1958-59
The sale will also be the auction house’s first fine art auction in Abu Dhabi.
The anniversary auction follows Christie’s 2006 UAE debut in Dubai, when it became the first international auction house to hold a sale in the region. MAWASIM, meaning ‘seasons’ in Arabic, reflects a new chapter for Christie’s in the Middle East while tracing the development of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art over the past two decades.
More than 70 works will be offered, spanning over six decades and bringing together artists from across the Middle East and North Africa. The selection includes works from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Syria, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with pieces originating from significant collections including the Dalloul Collection in Beirut and Barjeel Art Foundation in Sharjah.
Inji Efflatoun, Untitled, 1987
Among the highlights is Paul Guiragossian’s Noces (Wedding), painted in 1958-59 and estimated at USD$300,000-500,000. The monumental work comes from the Farid Trad Collection and depicts a vibrant wedding scene reflecting themes of home, community and human connection. It was exhibited at Guiragossian’s first major exhibition in Lebanon in 1959.
Meanwhile, Samia Halaby’s Yesterday from 1978 carries an estimate of USD$200,000-300,000. The work belongs to the Palestinian-American artist’s celebrated 1970s period of geometric abstraction and explores colour, movement and spatial perception.
The auction arrives ahead of Frieze Abu Dhabi, taking place from 19th-22nd November, and the opening of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on the 11th of December.
