DUBAI.- The Young Collectors Auction 18, the first of the 2014 season was held at Ayyam Gallery in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai on the evening of 21 January, amassing close to $627,000 from seventy-eight lots, 85% of which sold.

Featuring an incredible array of Arab and Iranian art, the diverse selection of works set established figures such as Fateh Moudaress, Khaled Zaki and Safwan Dahoul alongside burgeoning Arab and Iranian talents, Huda Beydoun, Mohammad Bozorgi and Oussama Diab on the auction block, allowing new collectors and seasoned bidders to add unique works to their collections.

In an informal yet vibrant salesroom, moderately priced painting, sculpture, photography, limited edition prints, and installation works from renowned and emerging artists throughout the region were fiercely vied for. Enthusiastic bidding generated a dynamic ambiance for those bidding as well as those enjoying the spectacle.

The highlights of the evening came with competitive bidding over works such as Syrian painter, Ahmad Moualla’s Untitled which sold for twice its estimate price at over $19,000. Palestinian painter, Samir Rafi’s Untitled sold for almost 2.5 times the estimate at $24,000, while Palestinian artist Adulrahman Katanani’s mixed media piece, X-Altanorah sold well above estimate at over $25,000. First timer to be included in the auction, Iranian artist, Mona Moein Ansari’s We Are All Puppets in This World sold for almost twice its estimate price, at $7,800.

Regarding works by established artists, all three Fateh Moudaress mixed media on canvas works sold, with two of the untitled pieces going for three times as much as estimate. Always an auction favourite, Lebanese artist, Nadim Karam’s The Grazer sold above estimate at over $26,000. Another big seller was Abdulnasser Gharem’s, No More Tears V which sold above estimate for over $26,000.

With increasing levels of new attendees, record-breaking sales and a buzzing salesroom, the nineteenth edition of The Young Collectors Auction to be held at Ayyam Jeddah, in March 2014 is sure to be greatly anticipated.