Drawing attention to art

ART-LOVERS in Bahrain have been treated to the first sneak preview of a selection of Islamic calligraphic art works which are estimated to fetch more than $4 million at sale.

International art auction house, Sotheby's organised the special preview as part of a whistle-stop tour of the region before the items go under the hammer in Doha next month.

Entitled 'Hurouf: The Art of the Word', the works of art on display incorporate Arabic, Farsi and Ottoman Turkish traditions ranging from very early Islamic calligraphy, through 19th Century Ottoman pieces to contemporary works of art.

Dalya Islam, director of Sotheby's Middle East Arab and Iranian Art Department, said: "Sotheby's has a strong relationship with the region and especially Bahrain, which has been a hub of finance and culture for a long time.

"The Bahraini people have shown a real interest in the arts, with long-standing galleries such as Al Bareh, and an active arts society with talented artists, and the government - especially Minister of Culture Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa - is very encouraging of this.

"We are delighted to be exhibiting this select group of calligraphic works in Bahrain from our forthcoming Doha sale and very much look forward to meeting our existing collectors, forging new client relationships and showing these remarkable pieces to art enthusiasts and the public.

"The Gulf region has not only played an instrumental role in preserving this rich traditional art form, but also encourages its continuous reinterpretation through the support of young artists and we are thrilled to be showcasing their innovative endeavours here in Bahrain."

She added that several high-profile projects in the region from Bahrain's museum to those in Qatar and Abu Dhabi were all components of a healthy arts scene and the growing international interest in the region was also producing a positive impact on the art market.

Asserting that the cloud cast by the economic recession has blown away and that the demand for high quality work had picked up, she said: "During the downturn it was a supply-constrained market, but across the board demand was strong for rare, high-quality works of art with exceptional provenance, and buyers continued to respond well to one-off, unprecedented saleroom opportunities.

"Since November last year we have seen a real shift and our clients are transacting with more confidence."

This year, the auction house sold Giacometti's L'homme qui marche I (Walking Man I) for $104.3 million, a world record price for any work of art sold at an auction and its October Hong Kong Sales Series took in more than $400 million, surpassing its pre-sale estimate (more than $215 million) and representing the highest total ever for a sales series in Hong Kong.

Speaking about the items selected for the upcoming sale, Hurouf: The Art of the Word, she said: "Last year at our Doha sale, Sotheby's achieved solid success for works by highly sought-after Arab artists such as Chafic Abboud, Nabil Nahas, Ayman Baalbaki, Yousef Ahmad and Ali Hassan.

"In order to build on this, we have decided to devote a sale to works of significant interest to the region, focusing on calligraphy.

"The Arabic script has stimulated artists for more than a millennium, and is still a highly-regarded and revered art form that reflects the rich history of the region.

"The auction will emphasise the enduring legacy of Islamic art by tracing the development of calligraphy, with a focus on its contemporary manifestation.

"This selection was chosen to show a group of artists working in different mediums; to show that calligraphy is a very interesting art form."

The display of works in Bahrain included Iraqi, Iranian, Lebanese, Sudanese, Palestinian, North African, Syrian, Pakistani and Ottoman artists and are priced between $8,000 to $900,000. They feature monumental pieces on canvas, in bronze and even neon.

Previews of the sale that will take place in Doha, Qatar, at The Ritz-Carlton Doha Hotel on December 16, will travel to Kuwait on November 21 after a stop-over in Abu Dhabi.

Artist profiles

HASSAN MASSOUDY: Originally from Najaf, Iraq, Hassan Massoudy was trained in his homeland and Paris. He moved his style from figurative designs to calligraphy and his creations are a subtle mix of present and past, oriental and occidental art, tradition and modernity. His work is not religious, although it conveys different philosophical statements.

MOHAMMED EHSAI: One of the most famous calligraphers from the Middle East, his work in the show is entitled Mohabbat (meaning kindness in Persian). A traditionally trained calligrapher he looks closely at the form of letters. Graphic in appearance, its geometric patterns and dynamic free-flowing lines and colours create an exciting visual impact.

LAILA SHAWA: This Palestinian artist is a native of Gaza. As an oil painter, a silk-screen artist, and an illustrator of children's books who has also done sculpture, her work illustrates her ongoing interest in political struggle and oppression, and children who live with war and deprivation.

JAMSHID BAYRAMI: This Iranian artist is one the world's most accomplished photojournalists, having extensively covered the Iran-Iraq War, and the politics of the Middle East for world media. As an artist, he uses photography as a medium and inevitably draws on his vast journalistic experience. His art focuses on social issues, including organised faith.

KHALED AL SAAI: Originally from Syria, Khaled grew up in a household surrounded by painting, music and calligraphy. By the age of 18, he had already established a reputation as a calligrapher. He works in an astonishing range of styles, and the breathtaking beauty of his work makes it immediately accessible to all.

AFSHIN PIRHASHEMI: This Iranian artist is disliked by the Iranian government because he only paints women. His work is subtle yet complicated, as he only paints his wife in black and white. His work is meant to represent the state of Iran and the condition of the women who live there.

ZOULEKHA BOUABDELLA: This talented Algerian artist currently lives in Paris but grew up in the Algerian capital, Algeirs, until the age of 16. She works in a wide variety of mediums and her art focuses mainly on challenging cultural dualities and imbalances, as well as creating a sense of cultural fusion.