Christie's, the world's leading arts business, announced their seventh auction of International Modern and Contemporary Art in Dubai which will take place on Oct. 27. The sale will bring together and offer to the international art market an important selection of pictures and sculptures from the Middle East region including impressive examples of Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian and Saudi Arabian art. These works will be complimented by a very strong group of Indian, Pakistani and Iranian art, and the most important selection of Turkish art ever offered at auction in the Middle East. The auction will take place at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel and will present 167 exceptional paintings and sculptures. It is expected to realise $8 million to $11 million with individual estimates ranging from $10,000 to $800,000. On Oct. 28, Christie's will present an auction of Jewels and Watches, which will include a diverse selection of diamonds, rare stones, natural pearls, antique Indian jewels, jewelry from the world's leading contemporary designers and a strong selection of collectible watches. Arab and Iranian art A leading highlight of the auction is Remembrance and Gratitude, a large and spectacular diptych by Ahmed Moustafa (b.1943), the celebrated Egyptian artist who holds the world record price for any modern Arabian work of art sold at auction. It is expected to realise $600,000 to $800,000. Moustafa initially trained in the neo-classical European style taking great inspiration from the Renaissance masters, before devoting his work to compositions inspired by texts from the Qur'an. The diptych is one of his most complex and profound works reflecting on the remarkable Qur'anic verse in which man is urged to engage in a reciprocal encounter with God. An untitled landscape by Fateh Moudarres (Syrian, 1922-1999) is the largest work by the artist ever to appear at auction, measuring over 3 metres long. It was commissioned as a backdrop to the Damascus International Fair in 1970 and is expected to realise $180,000 to $250,000. Another work by the artist to be offered at this auction is Untitled which depicts a recurrent theme in the artist's work of a faceless crowd, representing a powerless mass stripped of identity (estimate: $140,000 to $160,000). Kharjee Spirit, 1979, is a striking work by Charles Hossein Zenderoudi (Iranian, b.1937), a founder of the Saqqa-khaneh school - the most influential artistic movement of 20th Century Iran. It is expected to realise $180,000 to $250,000. Other leading highlights of Iranian art include Tar Jar, 2006, by Farhad Moshiri (Iranian, b.1963) (estimate: $150,000 to $200,000) and The Wall and the Heech by Parviz Tanavoli (Iranian, b. 1937) which is expected to realise $140,000 to $180,000. Dream 12 by Safwan Dahoul (Syrian, b.1961), who is greatly influenced by Northern European Gothic and Renaissance art, carries an estimate of $120,000 to $180,000. Le Carnaval Vénitien is the largest and most impressive work by Abdallah Benanteur (Algerian, b.1931) to appear at auction. It is expected to realise $100,000 to $150,000. Monumental, 1985, by Paul Guiragossian (Lebanese, 1926-1993), depicts a group of women which was a recurrent theme in his later works (estimate: $90,000 to $120,000). Swordsman by Jazeh Tabatabei (Iranian, 1931-2008) is a striking sculpture executed in the 1960s. Tabatabei was one of the first generation of modern Iranian artists and the present work was formed from scrap metal from heavy machinery, addressing a technological aesthetic with a humorous slant (estimate: $30,000 to $40,000). In April 2009, Christie's offered Saudi Arabian art at international auction for the first time. Following the success of the sale, the auction will offer 5 works of modern and contemporary Saudi Arabian art including Untitled by Abdulaziz Ashour ( b. 1962) which is expected to realise $9,000 to $12,000; Interlocution of Nature by Youssef Ahmad Jaha (b.1953) (estimate: $8,000 to $10,000); and Untitled by Al-Taher Sabban. Turkish art Turkish art was offered at Christie's in Dubai for the first time in October 2008 and its market and international appreciation has continued to grow since. This auction will offer the most impressive selection of modern and contemporary Turkish art to date including 22 works of the highest quality. Submarine and Battleship, 1997, by Omer Uluc (Turkish, b.1931) is expected to realise $300,000 to $400,000. For many years Uluc divided his time between Paris and his studio in Istanbul which overlooked the Bosphorus where the regular traffic of ships and submarines inspired him to paint a series of works depicting the vessels. The Red Doves is one of the most impressive works painted by Ferruh Basaga (b.1914) (estimate: $200,000 to $250,000). Depicting a pair of doves, symbolizing piece, the work displays the artist's signature geometric abstract style. Rift, 1977, by Burhan Dogancay (b.1929) is an exceptional and early work from the artist's celebrated Ribbons series. It carries an estimate of $200,000 to $250,000. Further highlights of Turkish art to be offered at the auction include Untitled, 2008, by Adnam Coker (b.1927) (estimate: $150,000 to $200,000) and Untitled, 1957, by Erol Akyavas (1932-1999) (estimate: $100,000 to $150,000). Indian and Pakistani art The auction will offer a significant selection of 15 modern and contemporary Indian and Pakistani works of art, led by White Figure, yellow heads on a white background by Tyeb Mehta (Indian, 1925-2009) which is expected to realise $500,000 to $700,000. Painted in 1979, this important work represents a turning point in the artist's career and illustrates the growing complexity of his compositions at this formative period of his career. Vision XIV, a signature work by Maqbool Fida Husain (Indian, b.1915), is inspired by verses from the Holy Qur'an where victory is granted to believers so that they may follow and be inspired by God's good, while their past misdeeds are forgiven (estimate: $350,000 to $500,000). Six elements by Syed Haider Raza (Indian, b.1922) is offered for sale for the first time having been acquired directly from the artist's studio by the present owner in 1979 (estimate: $150,000 to $200,000). Further highlights include Four Women by Maqbool Fida Husain (Indian, b.1915) (estimate: $150,000 to $200,000) and By The Heaven of the Returning Rain, a neon sign by Shezad Dawood (British/Pakistani, b. 1974) which engages in a critical yet playful investigation of cultural identity (estimate: $15,000 to $20,000).
