As part of the continued partnership with the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Sotheby’s will host a special programme of talks and panel discussions led by Sotheby’s most seasoned experts in the field. The series of talks will take place at the Islamic Arts Biennale’s inauguration in Jeddah from the 4th to the 13th of March.
Islamic Arts Biennale is the first ever in the world dedicated to the Islamic Arts and Sotheby’s is one of its official supporting partners. The exhibition, which is unprecedented in its scope and breadth, incorporates newly commissioned contemporary works and historical artefacts from renowned Saudi Arabian and institutions worldwide devoted to the Islamic arts presenting an opportunity for a renewed discourse and understanding. Talks and panel discussions are a part of its theme of encouraging dialogue among global communities with topics covering anything from the myriad ways Islamic art has influenced the jewellery industry to the most significant contemporary developments in Arab art.
“Sotheby’s has a strong history of supporting cultural programmes in the Middle East – underpinned by a commitment to educational outreach and diversifying cultural initiatives. We are excited to have partnered with the Diriyah Biennale Foundation for a second time, following our support of the Kingdom’s first contemporary art biennale last year, continuing to share our expertise in this area,” states Edward Gibbs, Chairman of Sotheby’s Middle East & India.
Sotheby’s support of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation follows from the first contemporary art biennale, and in presenting the first Digital Arts Forum and NFT exhibition in Saudi Arabia in February 2022, as well as in partnership with the Ministry of Culture.
Aya Al Bakree, CEO of Diriyah Biennale Foundation stated that they “are thrilled to be partnering with Sotheby’s in educational outreach for a second consecutive year – this time to deepen understanding of the Islamic arts at this transformative moment for the genre worldwide. The Biennale is indeed the first of its kind in the world, making our partnership with Sotheby’s this year especially meaningful.”
Within 11 years after the auction house’s founding in 1755 nearly 280 years ago, Sotheby’s had begun offering Islamic art at auction. The auction, which was believed to be the first of its type, featured books and manuscripts, including Arabic manuscripts that included Qur’ans. When a folio from the royal Shahnameh, or “Book of Kings,” created for Shah Tahmasp in the 16th century, sold for $9.1 million in 2022, Sotheby’s established a new global record for any Islamic piece of art or artefact at auction. Coming 26th April, Sotheby’s London will host the following Arts of the Islamic World auction as well.
“Sotheby’s is excited to play our part once again in the educational sphere in the region. Having travelled to Saudi many times over the last decade, it is a joy to be returning for such a historic occasion, together with an unrivalled list of curators and artists who are working in tandem to promote cultural dialogue and spark new conversations,” stated Mai Eldib, Head of Sales, Sotheby’s Middle East.
On 4th March, the auction house’s head of sale for 20th-century art in the Middle East, Alexandra Roy, will discuss five pivotal moments from her career at Sotheby’s in a session called ‘A Day in the Life of a Specialist.’ She will discuss the rarities that are consigned to auction, the significance of provenance, and how these exceptional pieces go on to fetch record prices.
The history of collecting Islamic art, as well as Indian and Islamic influences and the rebirth of Egyptomania in 20th-century jewellery design, will take place on the 7th of March. For the first discussion panel, Sotheby’s Chairman for the Middle East and India, Edward Gibbs, will examine the development of Islamic art collecting over the years, including the several Western institutions that have significant collections of Islamic art. While the role of Islamic and Mughal art in jewellery design will be explored by Sophie Stevens, Sotheby’s Dubai Jewellery Specialist, from the renowned Cartier designs of the 20th century to the continuation of these motifs in recent high jewellery collections, the significance of geometry, elaborate Arabesque forms, and vibrant coloured gemstones in the second session. The session will also cover the Pearls from the Middle East.
On 13th March, Mai Eldib, Head of Sales for Sotheby’s Middle East, will provide a chronological review of modern and contemporary Arab art during the 20th century, focusing on the major trends and figures from the region during the session called ‘An exploration of modern & contemporary Arab art.’
Stay tuned for updates on the second series of talks that will take place in April, 2023.
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