DUBAI.- Sotheby's opened its new, expanded gallery and salon in Dubai to the public, marking the company's tenth year with a physical presence in the UAE and the start of a significant new era for the business. The tailor-made space was inaugurated last night at a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Katia Nounou Boueiz (Chairman of Sotheby's Middle East) and Joshua Pullan (Sotheby's Executive Vice President, Global Luxury Division & Head of Middle East), together with guest-of-honour H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (prominent Emirati art patron and philanthropist).
H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan: "The Gulf has a much longer history of collecting than many people realise. What I find particularly interesting today is the growing interest from a younger generation of collectors, alongside the expanding role of museums and cultural institutions in the UAE. As Sotheby's opens this new space, it is worth reflecting on how much that relationship has changed. The question is no longer simply how international institutions engage with our region, but how our region itself is influencing the direction of the international art market."
Over the last decade, Sotheby's first gallery in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has hosted some of the most important artworks, objects and collections ever brought to the region*. Now, its move to an innovatively re-imagined gallery space, also in the unique milieu that makes up the DIFC, will transform the auction house's presence in Dubai, in line with the extraordinary evolution of the UAE's cultural landscape.
Sotheby's steadfast dedication to bringing the very best of its offering to the doorsteps of collectors and the public in the UAE is reflected in every facet of the design of this new podium-level location, which includes:
• A new dedicated street-facing facade, with floor-to-ceiling windows creates a dynamic platform to showcase remarkable objects and artworks and engage those visiting the surrounding fine dining restaurants, galleries and high-end private members' clubs year-round.
• Responding to the deep-rooted passion for collector cars in the UAE, the new space will feature a revolving showcase of rare automobiles displayed within the gallery's walls.
• A refined palette of heritage materials, including bronze, antique brass and walnut, references Sotheby's longstanding legacy as a more than 280-year-old auction house, whilst expressing its distinctly modern profile in a new age of collecting.
Sotheby's inaugural exhibition at its elevated new Dubai gallery opens to the public today, bringing together contemporary works of art, exceptional jewellery and watches, Herms handbags, a sought-after collector car and more. The exhibition is on view to the public from today (Monday-Friday, 10am-7pm) at its new address (DIFC, Gate Village Building 10, Podium Level - Unit 3).
The opening exhibition presents highlights from many of Sotheby's global collecting categories, catering to the interests of a broad range of clientele, as well as offering the opportunity to encounter the unexpected. Rather than approaching art and luxury in isolation, the exhibition brings them together under one roof, creating live opportunities to foster dialogues between different periods, disciplines and collecting categories.
• Anchoring the exhibition is a major loan from the private collection of Elie Khouri, the prominent Dubai-based collector, featuring works by Amoako Boafo, George Condo, Stanley Whitney, Gnther Frg and Alighiero Boetti. Elie Khouri has built a collection of more than 200 emerging and established artists spanning diverse international perspectives, and sits on several museum committees, reflecting his active patronage across the region and internationally. The loan is an extension of the decade-long relationship between Sotheby's UAE and the collectors, artists, galleries and institutions that make up the local art ecosystem.
• Sotheby's new salon will offer three exceptional contemporary Patek Philippe watches, celebrating the enduring excellence of Patek Philippe's artisanal craftsmanship and mechanical ingenuity. The selection features the platinum Ref. 5373P-001, the first modern Patek Philippe chronograph designed specifically for left-handed collectors, combining a split-seconds monopusher chronograph with a perpetual calendar. Also included is the exclusive Ref. 5950A, a stainless-steel split-seconds chronograph produced in very limited numbers for the brand's most valued clients. Completing the trio is the rarely seen Ref. 5089G-035 "Lake Geneva Barques", created for the watchmaker's 175th anniversary and featuring an exquisite cloisonn enamel dial by master enameller Anita Porchet.
• The salon also presents a plethora of exceptional jewellery available for private sale, including a 1939 Cartier Burma Ruby and Diamond necklace, together with its original fitted box. Alongside this is Sotheby's Bespoke, a meticulously tailored jewellery creation service, centred around beautiful gemstones. A dedicated display will showcase a nine-carat Old Mine Golconda diamond, a seven-carat Asscher cut white diamond and opulent paraiba tourmalines, ready to be personalised.
• The gallery provides a bespoke new platform to display cars, and to mark this significant milestone, RM Sotheby's presents an exceptional 1971 Surtees TS9B Formula 1 car, chassis no. 05 for private sale. A remarkable piece of motorsport history, the car was driven by John Surtees and Mike Hailwood, achieving an impressive second-place finish at the 1972 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Powered by the legendary Ford-Cosworth DFV V8, it captures the spirit of Formula 1's golden era.
• Presented alongside the car will be a number of high-performance bicycles, including a Colnago for Ferrari "Limited Edition" bike made for Ferrari's 60th anniversary.
• A trove of striking Herms handbags will be on view, including a rare Birkin 30 Himalaya, which is available for private sale. One of the most coveted Herms creations, its radiant white and subtle shading echoes the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
