Featured Image: SAMIA HALABY (B. 1936, JERUSALEM) Water Lilies Painted in 2013 Estimate: US$100,000-150,000

DUBAI – Christie’s announces its online auction of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art,  live for browsing from 17 April and open for bidding from 24 April – 8 May.  Reflecting the dynamic art scene in the region the auction offers a compelling selection of artworks highlighting the rich and diverse artistic production from the Gulf, the Levant, Iraq, Iran and North Africa. The sale features 69 works  encompassing modern and contemporary periods, including paintings, works on paper, photography and sculpture.

Leading the sale is the mesmerising Water Lilies by pioneering female artist Samia Halaby (illustrated above) (estimate: US$100,000-150,000). Painted in 2013, this is part of the artist’s later body of work, characterised by her departure from the use of sharp geometric shapes to more organic lyrical forms inspired by the complex geometry of nature.

Notably this season, Halaby leads a strong group of works by female artists, which together represent over one-third of the sale. This significant group pays tribute to their artistic contributions, playing a pivotal role in the evolving artistic landscape of the region. Halaby is joined by other prominent female names, including Etel Adnan, Helen Kahal (illustrated below, second row centre), Huguette Caland, Tala Madani and Tagreed Darghouth.

In recent years, artists from Saudi Arabia have gained increasing prominence within the contemporary art market. Christie’s continues to champion this vibrant artistic scene on the international stage—both through auctions and non-selling exhibitions. Saudi Now! comprises of 12 works by Saudi Arabian artists which trace the cultural landscape of the Kingdom - from modern masters such as Mohamed Al Saleem and Abdulhalim Radwi to celebrated contemporary names including Ahmed Mater (illustrated below centre) and Manal AlDowayan, and the new generation of artists such as Nasser Al Salem and Moath Alofi who are based in JAX district, Riyadh’s creative hub.

With a growing international interest and demand in art from North Africa the sale features a strong selection of artists from the Maghreb including Mohamed Melehi, Mahjoub Ben Bella, Khaled Ben Slimane, Malika Agueznay and Hassan Hajjaj. A highlight in this section is a late ‘wave’ painting by Moroccan Mohamed Melehi, (illustrated below left), a key figure of the Casablanca School. Drawing inspiration from Moroccan-Berber traditional arts and crafts, Melehi explored transnational abstraction through his iconic wave motif and bold use of colour.

Other highlights of the sale include Eyn + Eyn, a masterpiece by Charles Hossein Zenderoudi (illustrated below, second row right) that was featured in the groundbreaking show Iranian Contemporary Art at the Barbican Centre in London in 2001. Executed in 1976, Untitled (illustrated below right), is an early example from Marwan’s iconic Head series in which the artist employs expressive brushstrokes to explore the emotional depth of the human visage. Also featured is Nabil Nahas’ Untitled (illustrated below, second row left) from the celebrated Fractal series in which he mixes acrylic paint with pumice to create his distinctively sculptural surfaces  reminiscent of coral reefs in tropical seas.

Following the strong results of works sold by Christie’s from the Dalloul Art Collection over the last two years, we are proud to offer three outstanding works from this collection - a rare work on paper by Egyptian female modernist Inji Efflatoun, together with  two paintings by Palestinian artists Nabil Anani and Karim Abou Shakra.

Highlights

Dr Ridha Moumni, Chairman, Christie’s Middle East and Africa comments ‘The art market in the Arab and Islamic world is among the most dynamic globally. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in engagement from regional collectors and institutions, alongside increasing international recognition of the region’s artistic landscape. With rising investment in the cultural sector—particularly from the Gulf States—artists are gaining greater visibility and reaching broader audiences. The development of the visual culture is also underscored by the growing demand for modern masters, including a remarkable generation of pioneering female artists. This online sale reflects richness, diversity, and vitality, and signals a future full of promise and growth.’

Marie-Claire Thijsen, Head of Sale, Specialist, Christie’s London and Dubai comments ‘This season’s auction in Dubai is a powerful celebration of the diverse and dynamic voices shaping the modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art scene. We are particularly proud to pay tribute to the creative contributions of female artists, reflecting their enduring impact on the region’s evolving artistic landscape. The dedicated Saudi Now! section offers a compelling journey through the Kingdom’s cultural transformation, featuring both pioneering figures and the new generation of emerging talent. Additionally, we are honoured to build on the success of Marhala: Highlights from the Dalloul Collection, presenting three rare works from the collection in this Dubai sale.’

Meagan Kelly Horsman, Managing Director, Christie’s Middle East comments, ‘As Christie’s celebrates its 20^th anniversary year in the United Arab Emirates, I am delighted to see the continued diversity and breadth of this season’s Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art Online auction reflected in the works consigned.  Christie’s has been presenting exceptional Arab works of art in Dubai for sale since 2006 and proudly remains the only international auction house to do so.’

Highlights from the sale are on view at Christie’s, DIFC, Dubai until 18 April in an exhibition which also includes works from the Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Rugs and Carpets (London 1 May) and Leonard and Louise Riggio: Collected Works (New York, May).  A dedicated exhibition of highlights from Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art will take place from 3 – 8 May at Christie’s DIFC.

(Press Release)