Dubai: The art market in Dubai is rapidly growing with the arrival of affluent and high-end customers.
Many international galleries are opening here to cash in on the demand for works by the masters and other established artists.
International galleries see Dubai as the ideal place to do business as it is a link between the East and the West.
These internationally-recognised galleries shared their views on 2009 and their agendas for 2010 with Gulf News.
The Portfolio Gallery is one of the newest French art galleries to start operations in Dubai. It specialises in photography.
Owner Emmanuel Catteau is optimistic about Dubai: "The art scene in Dubai has a healthy base [from which] to stand on and to pass on to the rest of the world."
Popularity
He looks forward to popularising photography.
"Well, not all of us can paint, draw or sculpt. However, all of us can definitely pick up a camera and take a photo."
He is keen to make Portfolio Gallery a destination for photography enthusiasts and amateurs who are looking for a place to exhibit their works.
"Promoting Emirati talents is one of our priorities, through organising events and creating key partnerships," he added.
Events and Exhibitions Organiser Rebia Naim told Gulf News that the Portfolio Gallery was inaugurated in 2009 and has a great calendar of exhibitions for this year.
Dubai, she said, is witnessing a healthy art movement and so far the outcome has been satisfying. "I'm sure we will be witnessing even more success and recognition. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are offering great artistic platforms for artists to shine and we are witnessing various international galleries [that] are taking [their] place in Dubai.
"The market has plenty of opportunities to glow and soon the Emirate will be an international reference of art."
The Opera Gallery is another international French gallery that opened its doors in Dubai in late 2008.
"Dubai is the practical gateway for the region; it has done a great job in promoting itself and managed to attract tourists from every corner of the globe. It's also a main international gathering point for business conferences and therefore it's an irresistible destination and that's why it was a wise choice to construct our business here," Bertrand Epaud, general manager of Opera Gallery, said.
Regarding his expectations for art in the emirate, he said: "Undoubtedly, Dubai is an interesting place to be in. Well, a series of galleries has opened up in the last year. Dubai is certainly the place in the whole Gulf where you find numbers of art galleries, not to mention the blend of great diversity as well."
The Farjam Collection at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is a non-profit art space with a strong focus on Islamic art, which was opened in March 2009.
Collection and Exhibitions Manager Emilie Faure said: "The art scene in Dubai is full of potential, and it is exciting to be part of its development.
"The crucial role of the Middle East within the art world has also come to the forefront recently, with artists and endeavours from the region gaining international recognition.
"Our space in the Gate Village at the Dubai International Financial Centre places us in the heart of one of Dubai's key zones for artists and art enthusiasts, where several galleries are grouped together."
Emile said it is encouraging to watch the art scene in Dubai grow and develop into maturity "as a non-profit space".
"We are delighted to play a unique role in the future success of the ongoing expansion of arts and culture in Dubai by offering exhibitions and programmes that are free of charge and open to the public," she said.
