Christie’s is highlighting several Arab artists in its upcoming Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art sale, scheduled for November 6 in London with an online preview from October 28 to November 11. Featured works 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 and 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 international market recognition of Modern and contemporary Arab artists, many of whom have been historically underrepresented in major auction houses. By featuring works that explore themes of exile, identity, and cultural fusion, Christie’s is not only expanding the canon of global modernism but also signaling a shift in the art market toward greater diversity and inclusion. The strong interest in these artists, as evidenced by previous high prices and the inclusion of works from renowned collections, reflects a broader trend of collectors seeking out non-Western art with deep historical and political resonance.