Makma Art Gallery has opened in Abu Dhabi, with the aim of bringing the enduring tradition of glass and crystal artistry to a contemporary audience.
Founder Alia Sefrioui Makma
The unique space is dedicated to Islamic-inspired artworks, focused specifically on leading 19th and 20th-century glass and crystal master craftsmen.
Commenting on the launch, Founder of Makma Art Gallery, Alia Sefrioui, said: “Makma Art Gallery is the product of years of planning and dreaming to curate an experience that reimagines the beauty of glass artistry in a contemporary context. Inspired by my own upbringing in a family of art collectors, this passion project is now a reality, bringing a thoughtfully curated collection of timeless pieces from around the world, to the UAE.”
“Crafted from 100% natural and long-lasting materials, glass and crystal are known for their durability and timelessness. Our collection is as diverse as the history of glass and crystal manufacturing that spans the centuries. Makma’s exhibitions shine a spotlight on European master craftsmen who reinterpreted traditional Islamic glass art, bridging the gap between the past and present. We aspire to transform Makma Art Gallery into a hub for artistic and cultural exchange that blurs the lines between tradition and modernity, to connect us all through a shared identity,” Sefrioui continued.
The gallery’s inaugural collection ‘The Mystical Art of Glass’ displays a curated selection of Mosque lamps and beautifully crafted pieces by French glassmaker Philippe-Joseph Brocard, along with pieces by Josef and Ludwig Lobmeyr, founders of renowned Viennese glass company J. & L. Lobmeyr.
