EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS CELEBRATING THE CULTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST
FROM ART TO JEWELLERY, FOOD TO FASHION
12 – 30 August 2024
This Summer, as London once again becomes a port of call for travellers the world over, Sotheby’s is bringing a taste of the Middle East to New Bond Street. Each of Sotheby’s London galleries will play host to an aspect of Middle Eastern culture, with something for everyone to enjoy in an almost month-long multi-faceted group of exhibitions, accompanied by a series of public events.
On view:
- Over 50 artworks spanning 50 years of modern visual art in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, comprising paintings, sculptures and installations, curated in collaboration with the founder of Qaswra Hafez, founder of Hafez Gallery in Jeddah.
- Some 60 exceptional jewellery creations brought together by the prestigious A2Z Advisory Bahrain, exploring the inspiration of the Eastern world on jewellery design. The selection comprises phenomenal coloured gemstones and diamonds, iconic pieces from leading maisons and contemporary jewels by today’s leading designers.
- An exploration of rich calligraphic tradition from across the Islamic world. From the earliest Qur’anic manuscripts in Kufic script to the lavish illumination of the Qajars, a selection of important leaves from religious and secular manuscripts will showcase the evolution and breadth of the calligraphic arts from the 8th to the 21st century.
- Five limited-edition handbags designed by HRH Princess Nourah Al Faisal, all inspired by Saudi cultural heritage. Created in collaboration with Asprey and Princess Al Faisal’s brand Nuun, the bold designs each pay homage to the five major regions of the Kingdom, showcasing their diversity and beauty through colours, motifs and embroidery techniques. Princess Al Faisal is also CEO of Art of Heritage, an organisation dedicated to safeguarding the Kingdom’s treasured artifacts and traditional craft.
Accompanying the art and objects displayed will be a series of events aimed at immersing visitors in the rich history of the Middle East, including panel discussions and gallery tours.
Moving from visual arts onto culinary delights, Sotheby’s Café offering will also get a makeover, in homage to the region’s café culture.
The title of the exhibition, Hafla, is the Arabic word for celebration, but goes beyond the English definition – denoting the celebration of something that is truly deserving of special care and attention. This theme sits at the heart of each element of the month.
