Christie’s is highlighting works by Arab artists in its upcoming Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art sale, taking place in London on November 6 with an online preview from October 28 to November 11. Featured lots include Paul Guiragossian's 'Automne,' a masterpiece from the 1980s that previously achieved the second-highest auction price for the artist; Abdulhalim Radwi's 'Untitled,' a semi-abstract cityscape blending traditional architecture with modernist influences; Samia Halaby's 'Gardenia' from her 'Diagonal Flight' series; Kamal Boullata's 'Nocturne I,' exploring geometric abstraction and exile; Mahmoud Said's 'Mekarzel Hill,' a landscape once owned by a former Egyptian prime minister; and Laila Shawa's 'City of Peace (Jerusalem),' a socio-political commentary on Palestinian life under occupation.
This sale matters because it underscores the growing global market interest in Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern art, bringing visibility to artists who have historically been underrepresented in major Western auctions. By featuring works that explore themes of exile, identity, and cultural heritage, Christie’s is not only driving market value for these artists but also contributing to a broader recognition of the region's artistic contributions within the international art world.