DUBAI.- CARBON 12 celebrates its 16th year milestone through its continued dedication of forging dialogue between the Middle Eastern art scene and the international community, marked by the announcement of two major upcoming shows, as well as the nomination of Emirati artist Sarah Almehairi for the Richard Mille Art Prize – Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Established in 2008 by Kourosh Nouri and Nadine Knotzer, CARBON 12 emerged as the first gallery in the region to offer a fully comprehensive, international contemporary art program, including emerging and established institutional artists. Located in Dubai’s local art hub, Alserkal Avenue, CARBON 12 counts 14 represented artists, 95 shows held in its space by end 2024, and a growing influence in the international art world.

Gallery Directors Kourosh Nouri and Nadine Knotzer, share: "There is no other joy than seeing the continuation of the idea we have began 16 years ago, leading to the nomination of the Emirati artist Sarah Almehairi at Louvre's Richard Mille award, and the first ever show of Mexican artist Edgar Orlaineta in the middle east (and of course Dubai) in November. Being the only UAE gallery in Paris, participating in The Salon by NADA's inaugural fair, is also a demonstration of our commitment to our artists internationally. The work continues with the same passion!"

Recent Achievements

CARBON 12’s activity persists in this pursuit with recent highlights such as Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola’s acquisition by Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Private Collection New York, André Butzer's solo exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, the publication of Philip Mueller’s debut monograph ‘Palio di Vita’, and Amba Sayal-Bennett’s acclaimed show at the Jameel Arts Center in Dubai. These noteworthy events were enabled by the gallery’s diligent outreach, which is continuously extended for their roster of artists. Further accentuating its global impact and international reach, CARBON 12 will also be participating in this year’s The Salon by NADA, in Paris, France.

This coming September, CARBON 12 is delighted to present a duo exhibition uniting one of its earliest artists, Bernhard Buhmann, and one of its latest, Sarah Almehairi. The show will act as a testament to the gallery’s commitment to fostering conversation and inciting cultural exchange. The visual complementarity between both of their practices within one space highlights the correlation of Western art within the Middle East, presenting them on the same pedestal.

Each of the visual practitioners represented by the gallery are a symbol of CARBON 12’s continuous dedication to local and international art scenes. Recently nominated for the Richard Mille Art Prize – Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sarah Almehairi has been represented by the gallery since her graduation from NYU Abu Dhabi in 2019, bringing an already dynamic practice which has continued to flourish in different directions and grow in relevance with its contemporaries. In parallel, having studied at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, Bernhard Buhmann followed a path similar to Almehairi, but instead joined the gallery near its inception.

CARBON 12's 95th Exhibition, ‘What We See of Things is the Things’

Further, CARBON 12’s November show will mark the gallery’s 95th exhibition, reflecting exactly that by highlighting Mexican artist Edgar Orlaineta’s practice. Introducing Orlaineta’s prominent Western presence in the local scene highlights CARBON 12’s expertise, providing an outlook on the western art scene for the gallery’s local audience.

Following the milestone 95th exhibition, CARBON 12 will also be opening Syrian Canadian artist Nour Malas’s first ever solo exhibition at the gallery since her representation in January 2024. The artist reflects the gallery’s continuous efforts in emphasizing a conversion between its regional artists and the international art scene. Having been raised a little all over the middle east, and currently based in Brooklyn, New York, Malas practice reflects that ambivalence through her use of the absurd.

International Outreach & Exposure

CARBON 12’s ambition to be an internationally present art interface doesn’t end with its roster of artists. The gallery has been committed to establishing itself in the international art scene by participating in many art fairs worldwide over the past 15 years, interposing artists from the region into the international scene and vice versa. The gallery was the first regional member of NADA Miami, and has participated in

Dallas Art Fair, Chicago Invitational, the Armory Show New York, Vienna Contemporary, Sunday Art Fair, as well as local fairs, Art Dubai and Abu Dhabi Art. By showing its ability to take the art world by storm and cover as much ground as possible, the gallery received its hard-earned reputation as one of ‘the most important young galleries in the world’ (Artsy, 2019).

A New Collaborative Space

Its global reach isn’t limited to its art fair presence. CARBON 12’s Kourosh Nouri and Nadine Knotzer, along with their co-founders Macaulay & Co (Vancouver) and FIERMAN (New York), established their collaborative space in 2022, DIANA New York at 127 Henry St., offering rotating exhibitions from all 3 founding members, as well as independent curators and guest galleries.