Christie’s to hold first Abu Dhabi fine-art auction ahead of landmark UAE season

Christie’s will host its inaugural Abu Dhabi fine-art auction on November 1, showcasing over 70 pieces by artists from across the Middle East and North Africa to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its first UAE sale. The exhibition, titled Mawasim: 20 Years of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art, will be held at the Abu Dhabi Edition hotel and will include works by notable artists such as Paul Guiragossian, Samia Halaby, Mohamed Melehi, Nabil Nahas, and Marwan.

The selection spans more than six decades and features pieces from the Dalloul Collection and Barjeel Art Foundation, among others. This marks a significant step for Christie’s, as it seeks to establish a more prominent presence in Abu Dhabi, following the city's expansion as a global art hub. The auction will be preceded by the Frieze art fair and followed by the opening of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in December.

Christie’s first UAE auction took place in Dubai in 2006, and the current office in Abu Dhabi is expected to play a more significant role in the marketing and visibility of the city's art scene. Ridha Moumni, the chairman of Christie’s Middle East and Africa, stated that future auctions in Abu Dhabi will depend on the success of this edition and the company's international calendar.

He emphasized that this event is not a one-off and that the company intends to be more present and visible in the city. The selection of artists for the auction recognizes the influence of Emirati artist Hassan Sharif, who has inspired generations of artists over the past half-century. The auction includes works by Sharif's contemporaries such as Guiragossian, Halaby, Melehi, Nahas, and Marwan.

The project has been more than a year in preparation, and the decision to hold it in Abu Dhabi was made independently of the Frieze art fair. Some of the artists featured in the auction will also be present at the Frieze fair, providing collectors with opportunities to discover new works during the season.