UAE | Heritage and Culture
A leap from unknown to 'being talked about'
Following the success of Christie's art auctions, perhaps the event that managed to cement Dubai's position on the international art scene was the recent DIFC Gulf Art Fair.
- By Zoi Constantine and Abbas Al Lawati, Staff Reporters
- Published: 00:00 March 31, 2007
- Image Credit:
- John Martin
Dubai: Following the success of Christie's art auctions, perhaps the event that managed to cement Dubai's position on the international art scene was the recent DIFC Gulf Art Fair.
The fair, which took place from March 7 to 10, included a Global Art Forum, a programme of art projects by international artists, and an education programme designed by Sotheby's Institute for Art for those interested in contemporary art, the art market and collecting.
The fair's co-founder and director, London-based gallerist John Martin, described the fair as a great success. "I really enjoyed the art in Dubai. It was very interesting and serious, but it is early days … However, the commitment and seriousness with which the galleries have started is incredible."
Testament to this, Martin points to the fact that suddenly Dubai artists and galleries are being referenced in prominent publications, making a sudden leap from largely unknown to being talked about internationally.
What the Gulf Art Fair managed to do was to showcase Dubai as a potential major player in the international art market, particularly because of its strategic location, he explained.
Dubai-based art curator Isabelle van den Eynde says that the Art Fair managed to focus attention on art in Dubai. "It really needed that kick. Over the years we certainly haven't received the attention that we deserved," she said.
However, Martin says that now the most important thing is to build upon the momentum that Dubai is experiencing.
"Our ambition is to be in the top five fairs worldwide and we will concentrate on getting to that level," Martin said. Meanwhile, one of the longest running and most prominent art fairs in the Arab world, the eighth Sharjah Biennial's is scheduled to launch next month.
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