Contemporary art in the Gulf: time for a renaissance?

In May 2006, Christie’s held its first-ever auction in the Middle East, a sale of international contemporary art with an emphasis on Arab and Iranian works. All expectations were shattered: more than $8.5 million worth of art was sold, and a second auction is now planned for January 2007. Despite the absence of a strong artistic tradition, the Gulf is increasingly emerging as a new artistic hub in the Middle East. The Sharjah Museum held its 7th biennial in 2005, an event now widely regarded as the Gulf’s premier modern art showcase; the 8th biennial will open in April 2007, and is expected to be even bigger. The first major art fair in the Middle East, the Gulf Art Fair, will take place in March 2007, and will see some of the world’s most exclusive galleries taking part, rubbing shoulders with their new local counterparts. The Guggenheim has announced its