RIYADH.- Christie’s announced it has been granted a commercial licence for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and has appointed Nour Kelani as Managing Director for the Kingdom. Based in Riyadh, Nour will lead Christie’s client services for the Fine Art and Luxury secondary business to build on our long-established clientele in the Kingdom and engage with the next generation of collectors. She will work alongside Christie’s experts across the Middle East and globally, while prioritising representation of art histories and cultures of the region.

As a patron and extensively networked contributor to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning cultural landscape, Nour previously oversaw operations at Ayyam Gallery in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, representing contemporary artists from across the Middle East, and was instrumental in bringing the Ayyam Gallery ‘Young Collector’s Auction’ to Saudi Arabia. A high-profile supporter of the evolving contemporary art scene in the Kingdom, Nour has also managed her own art and luxury consultancy, having served as an art advisor to numerous private collectors, and consulted on behalf of international luxury brands. In recognition of these contributions among others, she was made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.

‘Christie’s is honoured to be welcomed to the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, and we look forward to supporting ongoing cultural plans for the region while continuing to celebrate its hugely talented artists. Christie’s has had active Saudi Arabian clients for many years, living there and around the world, and that client base is ever-growing within the Kingdom. It has been a long-term business plan to progress by seeking a commercial license to operate in the Kingdom, and we are privileged to now be able to do so,’ comments Anthea Peers, President, Christie’s Europe, Middle East and Africa. ‘The appointment of Nour Kelani as Managing Director in the Kingdom represents a pace, scale, and ambition of growth across sectors which in turn makes this the moment for Christie’s to partner and collaborate further in Saudi Arabia’.

Ridha Moumni, Chairman, Christie’s Middle East and Africa remarks ‘This is a historic moment for Christie’s as we establish a permanent presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, further solidifying our commitment to the Middle East. With the appointment of Nour Kelani as our new Managing Director and the expertise of our specialists, we are poised to deepen our relationships with long-standing collectors and engage with a new generation of clients. We are eager to bring our world-renowned knowledge and expertise to the Kingdom, fostering growth and collaboration within the region’s vibrant art and luxury markets’.

Nour Kelani, Managing Director, Christie’s Saudi Arabia adds ‘I am delighted to be joining Christie’s, known for its innovative business approach combined with an incredible heritage and world-leading expertise. I look forward to building on my connections with collectors, institutions, and others in the art ecosystem in the region to further expand on the foundations that Christie’s has already put in place’.

With the granting of the license, Christie’s is the first dedicated international auction house to announce a presence in the Kingdom and the second location in the Gulf region for Christie’s, which opened in Dubai in 2005. Christie’s was also the first international auction house to hold auctions of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art in the UAE, in 2006.

This news follows Christie’s London headquarters hosting, to critical and public acclaim, the first mid-career retrospective exhibition by leading contemporary Saudi artist Ahmed Mater. Curated by Dr. Ridha Moumni, Ahmed Mater: Chronicles brought together over 100 works from private and institutional lenders from across the region, including Wadi AlFann, Valley of the Arts, Royal Commission of AlUla, Royal Commission for AlUla Contemporary Art Collection, and Athr Gallery.

In addition, Christie’s participated as a contributing partner to this year’s 2024 Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, where the auction house participated in talks and events.