Of the galleries participating in Art Dubai 2010,
up to a quarter are taking a fresh angle by creating artist-focused stands which
include the work of only one or two artists. These new artist-focused stands at
Art Dubai will enable collectors and visitors to see a progression in a specific
artist's work over time, creating a greater sense of depth and meaning rather
than a quick snapshot of several artists represented by the gallery. Single- or
dual-focused galleries at Art Dubai will include pieces from modern Indian and
Egyptian masters such as M.F. Husain and Adel El Siwi as well as more up-and-
coming artists from Korea, Chile, Peru, Spain and the Sudan.
"The single artist-focused stand gives both established and novice collectors a
more broad understanding of how an artist's work has progressed. Galleries
taking this approach at Art Dubai have opted either for well-known Indian and
North African painters for whose work there is an existing appetite, or artists
from the Middle East and beyond who warrant more regional and international
interest," commented John Martin, Director and Co-Founder of Art Dubai.
Among the artists being showcased in the artist-focus stands initiative is
legendary Indian painter and filmmaker, M.F. Husain. Represented by Grosvenor
Vadhera Gallery, London, Husain's paintings have played a key role in bringing
artwork from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region to the
international spotlight. Several of his pieces will be on display, showing a
progression of Husain's work throughout his more than six decades as an artist.
Art Dubai will also feature single-focus highlights from two Egyptian
contemporary masters -- Adel El Siwi via Artspace, Dubai, and Chant Avedissian,
represented by Rose Issa Projects, London. El Siwi, renowned Egyptian painter,
has showcased his work through group and solo exhibitions throughout the world.
He had emigrated to North America and Europe but returned to Egypt favouring his
motherland for its deep roots in the arts. Born in Cairo, Chant Avedissian's
work has been featured in auctions and galleries worldwide including the
National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution; the British
Museum, London; the Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam; the National Museums of Scotland,
Edinburgh; and the National Gallery of Jordan.
In addition to celebrated Indian and Egyptian artists, several galleries
participating in Art Dubai 2010 will champion emerging regional talent,
including Lebanon's Ayman Baalbaki and Iraqi painter Mahmoud Obaidi, both from
Agial Art Gallery in Beirut. Bahrain's Albareh Art Gallery will feature a focus
on works by Sudanese artist Mohammed Omer Khalil and Faisel Laibi Sahi from
Iraq. Rossi & Rossi from London is exclusively showcasing work by Pakistani
artist Naiza Khan.
Locally, Dubai -based Green Art Gallery will feature the work of Turkish artist
Nazif Topcuoglu. While the photographer has been shown widely across Europe,
this will be his first time exhibiting in a regional art fair.
"With single artist-focused representations that range from Finnish to Iranian
to Turkish artists, Art Dubai will provide enthusiasts with a cross-section of
work that highlights the depth of international and regional work being created
and collected today. This new trend by our participating galleries also points
to the relative maturity of Art Dubai as the Middle East's longest-standing art
fair," Martin added.
