Philippe Jabre is a business leader, investor and philanthropist with a passion for Middle Eastern art. This article will provide an overview of some of the most important Middle Eastern contemporary and modern art movements and their rising prominence in the international art world.
The world-famous auction house Christie’s has displayed a long-standing commitment to Middle Eastern art, making history as the first major auction house to build a strong presence in the region when it opened its Dubai headquarters in 2005. Today, Middle Eastern art afficionados can bid online, with Christie’s Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art auction taking place in June 2026.
The Farjam Collection is one of the world’s most celebrated Middle Eastern art collections, comprising a vast assembly of modern and contemporary pieces that pay testament to the region’s vibrant artistic culture. Comprising works by both emerging and established artists from across the MENA region and South Asia, it represents a diverse array of themes, media and styles. Many of the works address pertinent issues such as displacement, conflict and identity, providing insights into the complex political and social realities of the region. The works explore themes such as gender, religion and migration, as well as the impact of globalisation on local cultures.
Featuring works by some of the most important Middle Eastern contemporary artists, the Farjam Collection includes pieces by the Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum and the Syrian artist Khaled Takreti, among many others. These artists have garnered international acclaim for their unique, insightful perspectives on life in the Middle East and their contributions to the contemporary art scene.
The Middle East is home to numerous world-class galleries and museums, along with a plethora of exceptional heritage sites. In countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, a new generation of museums are being created as part of ‘giga-projects’. Take for example the recent unveiling of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and the Contemporary Art Museum due to open in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
Demand for Middle Eastern art has increased significantly since 2006 when major auction houses started staging specialised sales, encouraging major collectors and museums across the Gulf to start buying. With more and more collectors attracted to the category, focus shifted to the UK, where Mahmoud Said’s L’lle Heureuse made history at a Bonham’s action house as the first piece of Middle Eastern art to fetch £1 million at auction.
Over the years, there has been a steady increase in demand for pieces connected to the development of key Middle Eastern art movements such as the Egyptian Surrealists, Baghdad School of Modern Art in Iraq and the Khartoum School in Sudan. Collectors are seeking out pieces by leading names in these key schools of Modernism that embody the development of the unique aesthetic of the region and time.
Provenance and authenticity are of critical importance when purchasing art on a secondary market. These two factors are particularly pertinent for collectors of Middle Eastern art, with many countries of origin ravaged by war and revolution and many artists lacking committees or foundations to delegate on matters of authenticity. It is therefore crucial for collectors of Middle Eastern art to carry out due diligence, ensuring any piece they are interested in procuring has transparent provenance and clarity on title.
With its unique combination of European avant-garde and traditional Islamic art and culture, Middle Eastern art has grown to become an important part of the modern and contemporary art world. Revered Middle Eastern artists who have risen to prominence in the international art scene include the likes of Dia Azzawi and Jewad Selim of Iraq and the Egyptian Modernist sculptor Mahmoud Moukhtar.
