A new auction platform called Bam Auctions will launch in Dubai this May, with its inaugural sale held on Saturday at Bayt AlMamzar, an independent cultural space in a restored villa. The sale features 21 lots of contemporary art from the UAE and the wider region, including works by Jaber Al Azmeh, Manal Al Dowayan, and Hale Tenger, with estimates ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Bidding will be in person with remote options via phone, WhatsApp, and absentee bids.
This matters because Bam Auctions offers a measured, small-scale entry into the secondary market for contemporary art from the Middle East, prioritizing accessibility and community trust over the large-scale models of established auction houses. By focusing on mid-range prices and local cultural connections, it could help grow the region's art market and attract new collectors, while providing a platform for artists who have shaped the UAE's contemporary scene over recent decades.