In the vibrant world of art collection, the Middle East boasts a constellation of luminaries whose passion for the arts transcends boundaries. They wield substantial budgets, curating diverse collections that celebrate the rich tapestry of contemporary and modern art.
Here, we introduce you to five art aficionados who have left an indelible mark on the global art landscape:
1. Sheikha al Mayassa bint Hamad al Thani - Doha, Qatar
Location: Doha, Qatar
Heralded as the "undisputed queen of the art world" by Forbes, Sheikha al Mayassa is a force to be reckoned with in the art collecting realm. As the chairwoman of Qatar Museums and the sister of the ruler of Qatar, her acquisitions have included masterpieces by Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, and Mark Rothko. With an annual acquisition budget of approximately $1 billion, Sheikha al Mayassa has assembled the world's largest collection of modern and contemporary Arab art, a testament to her influence and commitment to the arts.
As chairperson of Qatar Museums since 2006, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani spends a lot of money on art, with an annual acquisitions budget once thought to be $1 billion. She has focused her buying power on Western modern and contemporary art, including works by Damien Hirst, Richard Serra, Jeff Koons, and Andy Warhol, feeling that it is important for aspiring young Qatari artists to see what is happening on the cutting edge of the art world. “My father [the former Emir of Qatar] often says, in order to have peace, we need to first respect each others’ cultures,” the Sheika once told the New York Times.
2. Basel and Ramzi Dalloul - Cairo, Egypt
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Basel Dalloul, chairman and CEO of Noor Group, was profoundly influenced by his father, Ramzi Dalloul, a Palestinian art enthusiast. Ramzi's collection comprises over 3,500 works, making it one of the most extensive private collections of modern and contemporary Arab art. Artists like Marc Guiragossian, Tagreed Darghouth, and Nazar Yehia find a home in their collection. The Dalloul family aspires to establish a museum in Beirut dedicated to modern and contemporary Arab art, preserving and sharing their invaluable collection.
3. Ramin Salsali - Dubai and Berlin
Location: Dubai and Berlin
Ramin Salsali, an Iranian expatriate and property developer based in Dubai, is a name synonymous with contemporary art. His journey began serendipitously in Germany when a friend, the Berlin Wall graffiti artist Kiddy Citny, repaid a loan with five paintings, igniting Salsali's lifelong passion for art. In 2011, he unveiled the Salsali Private Museum in Al Quoz, Dubai, featuring a remarkable collection of over 800 contemporary works by Middle Eastern artists. Salsali's mission is clear: to transform Dubai into a global art hub, bridging cultures through the universal language of art. His ambitious project, the $7 million Dubai Museum of Contemporary Art (DMOCA), is a testament to this vision.
4. Amer Huneidi - Kuwait
Location: Kuwait
Kuwaiti-Palestinian entrepreneur Amer Huneidi is not only a collector but also the founder of the Contemporary Art Platform (CAP), a non-profit organization that has invigorated Kuwait's art scene. CAP serves as a hub for artists and curators interested in working with Kuwaiti artists, fostering creativity and collaboration. Huneidi's collection spans modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art, adding depth to the region's cultural landscape.
5. Tony Salame - Beirut, Lebanon
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Tony Salame, a Lebanese retail magnate, has masterfully blended art and fashion through his Aishti Foundation. This museum in Beirut showcases his extensive private collection, which features works by both Middle Eastern and Western artists. The Aishti Foundation, designed by renowned British architect David Adjaye, is a stunning testament to Salame's commitment to art. It stands as a beacon of culture and well-being in Beirut, transcending political tensions.
6. MOHAMMED AFKHAMI
Location:Dubai; Gstaad, Switzerland; London; New York
Mohammed Afkhami, a British-Iranian art collector with a penchant for keeping busy, wears multiple hats in the business world. He serves as the vice chairman of London Strategic Land, a real estate investment firm. Simultaneously, he is the founder and managing partner of two ventures: MA Partners DMCC, a commodities firm based in Dubai, and Magenta Capital Services, an advisory firm specializing in capital placement. Despite his myriad responsibilities, Afkhami has maintained a voracious appetite for art, amassing a remarkable collection comprising around 400 works.
Afkhami's journey into the art world began with his first acquisition—a piece by Sirak Melkonian, acquired for a modest $500 in 2004. This initial foray set him on a path to becoming a key player in the market for contemporary Iranian art. His collection boasts pieces from renowned Iranian artists like Mohammad Ehsai, Shirin Neshat, and Ali Banisadr, alongside international luminaries such as Anish Kapoor and Yayoi Kusama.
In 2007, Afkhami made waves by placing a record-breaking bid on Iranian artist Farhad Moshiri's "One world—Yek donia," a seven-foot-wide world map bedazzled with 90,000 Swarovski crystals. Despite its estimated value of $80,000, Afkhami secured the piece with a winning bid of $601,000. Notably, his underbidder for this remarkable artwork was none other than the formidable French luxury magnate and fellow art collector François Pinault.
Beyond his private collecting endeavors, Afkhami is deeply committed to enhancing the permanent museum collections featuring artists from the Middle East and North Africa. He played a pivotal role as a founding member of the British Museum's Contemporary and Modern Middle Eastern Art acquisition group. Additionally, he has served as the co-chair of the Guggenheim's Middle East and North African art acquisition committee, further cementing his influence in the art world.
In 2017, Afkhami organized a captivating traveling exhibition titled "Rebel, Jester, Mystic, Poet: Contemporary Persians," showcasing works from his extensive collection. The exhibition made stops at renowned institutions like the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. It featured the creations of 23 artists, including luminaries like Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Shirazeh Houshiary, Parviz Tanavoli, and Khosrow Hassanzadeh, among others. Afkhami's vision for the exhibition was clear: to highlight the shared humanity that transcends cultural and religious differences, and to showcase the power of art as a unifying force.
Mohammed Afkhami, a true connoisseur of art and a dedicated advocate for Middle Eastern and North African artists, continues to shape the art world with his multifaceted contributions and unwavering passion for creative expression.
Comments
Post a Comment