AUCTION
: SHIFTING FORWARD
WWW.EMERGEAST.COM
AUCTION
: SHIFTING FORWARD
April 27th 2016 / Manzil Downtown, Dubai Reception 19:00 / Auction 20:00
ABOUT EMERGEAST.COM
EMERGEAST is an online gallery promoting and selling artworks by emerging Middle Eastern artists. Going beyond the standard gallery experience, the audience is invited to connect with each artist and their artworks through the artist’s inspirations and story. EMERGEAST caters to young collectors, first time buyers and art enthusiasts wanting to build their original Middle Eastern art collection. Breaking down barriers to entry and facilitating the notion of art collecting, EMERGEAST aims to create an accessible platform for the culturally inclined. With an increasing spotlight on the Middle Eastern art scene, the online gallery unveils the region’s emerging talent under one umbrella. Launched in May 2014 with 15 artists and now with more than 50 artists on board, EMERGEAST continues to expand their artist roster while fostering their young collector base. 4 /
AUCTION
: SHIFTING FORWARD
‘Auction III: Shifting Forward’ touches on the surge of digital art as a medium for artistic production, as well as presenting painting and photography from the shapers of the Middle Eastern art landscape. Keeping a current and relevant approach to our times, the auction remains on the cutting edge by providing young collectors with the latest trends in art. Through the introduction of the digital medium in this auction — artists are finding new ways of creative expression, bringing forth a wide array of aesthetic possibilities that push the boundaries. ‘Auction III: Shifting Forward’ also marks the occasion of the re-launch of the online gallery’s re-energized website and e-commerce space. EMERGEAST’s ‘Auction III: Shifting Forward’ is the perfect destination for young collectors to view and acquire artworks by emerging artists currently making waves in the Middle Eastern art scene. As the prospect of buying art may seem daunting, the EMERGEAST auction is tailored for the aspiring collector wishing to build their art collection at accessible price points. We invite you to lift your paddles and participate in the rise of the region’s artists. To register to bid, please email info@emergeast.com and pick up your allocated paddle on arrival (option to register on site available). You can also participate as a phone bidder and/or place your pre-bids by emailing us. Happy bidding! Dima Abdul Kader and Nikki Meftah
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AUCTION
LOTS
LOT 1 / ZAINA EL SAID [ b.1978 / Iraq-Jordan ]
Bedouin Flower Collage printed on canson infinity paper 42 x 32 cm Edition 3/3 2015 Estimate: $500 - $800
Born into a family of Iraqi artists, El Said was raised in Amman, Jordan where she started her artistic journey. El Said started by painting regional Arab culture and folklore through exploring different mediums before evolving to her now signature style of collage and digital art. She creates her collages by merging images from magazines, fairy-tale books, posters and endless material to create a narrative and surrealist collage paintings. Her pleasure in working with collage is the sublime timelessness each piece presents. El Said is an active participant in the Middle East art scene with exhibitions held in both Amman and the greater Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
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LOT 2 / ZAINA AL HIZAMI [ b.1990 / Kuwait-Saudi Arabia ]
Untitled Acrylic on linen 182 x 122 cm 2015 Estimate: $1500 - $1900
During university, Al Hizami’s creative curiosity took her to the canvas to experiment with sharpies on paper, transitioning into the exploration of acrylic and mixed media on canvas works. Mastering her craft, abstract psychedelic forms have recently developed into abstract portraiture in her latest series. Al Hizami has collaborated with a variety of artists; from classical portrait painters to music makers. Al Hizami currently lives and works in London.
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LOT 3 / RABEE BAGHSHANI [ b.1982 / Iran ]
King Playing Cards Digital print on canvas 100 x 70 cm Edition 3/3 2016 Estimate: $500 - $800
Rabee Baghshani is the latest digital artist to enter the Iranian art landscape, she currently resides in Mashad, Iran pursuing her art. Her digital renditions represent a hybrid of East and West where she bridges together her country’s cultural history with our present pop culture. By placing the Qajari figures in a Western context - Baghshani infuses a satirical playfulness in her artworks. Baghshani had her first exhibition in Farzad Gallery in Mashad in 2015.
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LOT 4 / FAHAR AL SALIH [ b.1964 / Iraq ]
The View Oil on printed canvas 50 x 75 cm 2014 Estimate: $1500 - $2000
Fahar Al Salih, of Iraqi origin, lives in Karlsruhe, Germany pursuing his artistic production from his atelier. The cultural diversity of his heritage is the basis for his artistic expression - presenting simple scenes from Baghdad’s life in a distinctive atmosphere. His abstract series “Shelter ” symbolizes a protective shell from the physical threats of outside influences as well as a shelter for the soul. Al Salih has lived and produced his art around Europe – gaining international recognition through his numerous group and solo exhibitions across Germany and the rest of Europe.
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LOT 5 / NIC COURDY [ b.1990 / Palestine-USA ]
Swoon Digital print on canvas 76 x 76 cm Edition 1/5 2015 Estimate: $1800 - $2300
Nic Courdy is a quickly rising American-Palestinian artist who has also made his mark in the social media sphere as an art influencer. Through the appropriation of elements of art history and the contemporary art market, Courdy creates compilations of imagery and video to reinvent familiar narratives. Through this, he explores the tensions between isolation and connectivity, youth and maturity. Receiving his BFA in Fine Art Painting and Drawing from the University of Utah, Courdy is currently finishing his one year residency at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art in preparation for his upcoming shows in the U.S. and abroad.
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LOT 6 / PERRYHAN EL ASHMAWI [ b.1988 / Egypt ]
The Beat Goes On Oil and spray paint on plywood 150 x 120 cm 2016 Estimate: $2200 - $2600
Perryhan El Ashmawi, of Egyptian origin, grew up in the Middle East where she currently pursues her art. El Ashmawi pursued her artistic desire through her studies at Concordia University in Montreal, attaining a BA in Fine Arts. Her work takes on a post-modern approach by merging pop culture with a traditional painting technique. She finds inspiration from the innovative work of contemporary, urban artists as well as the traditional style of the old Masters. El Ashmawi has showcased her work in Montreal, Bahrain and Dubai through participating in both solo and group exhibitions. As her artistry rises, El Ashmawi is sure her art is her sole medium of expression of herself and surroundings.
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LOT 7 / PEGAH LARI [ b.1983 / Iran ]
The Red Flower Acrylic on canvas 150 x 120 cm 2015 Estimate: $3600 - $4100
Contemporary and traditional Qajar elements are woven together in Pegah Lari’s vibrant paintings. This contrast symbolizes the disorganized and chaotic nature of our contemporary era. Lari represents a universe of associations - Qajar figures are paired with contemporary and traditional elements, together they lend a concurrence and timelessness to her paintings. Lari has to date had four solo group shows in established galleries in Paris such as Nicolas Flamel Gallery and Homa Art Gallery and Siin Gallery in Tehran, Iran. Lari currently lives and works in Tehran, Iran.
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LOT 8 / KHALID ALBAIH [ b.1980 / Sudan ]
Old Man Palestine Digital print 70 x 70 cm Edition 1/5 2014 Estimate: $900 - $1200
Khalid Albaih is an independent Sudanese artist living in Doha, Qatar. His stark, politically-charged images rose to prominence during the early stages of the Arab Spring protests in 2011. Posting his work in the public domain through social media, Albaih quickly became an artist of the Arab Spring. Albaih has staged a string of major exhibitions of his provocative work, which include solo shows in Montreal, Oslo, Bilbao and India in 2015 and 2016. Following the January terror attacks in Paris, the media turned to Albaih, interviewed by CNN, BBC, ABC, Al Jazeera, and Huffington Post within a twenty-four hour period. Albaih was recently a guest of honor and speaker at the “Arab Future and the Role of Europe� conference at the Peace Palace in The Hague. Albaih is quickly becoming a leading artist in the international art landscape.
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LOT 9 / ABDULLAH AL AWADI [ b.1970 / Kuwait ]
Turquoise Hishik Bishik Giclee print on canvas 96 x 96cm Edition 3/5 2010 Estimate: $1500 - $1900
Abdullah Al Awadi a Kuwait artist, architect and designer obtained his degree in Architecture and Photography from Miami University in Florida. Each artwork in his latest digital art series is inspired by a myriad of stories : “…there are several hishik bishik themes inspired in my first collection of digital art, this one is dedicated to the belly dancers’ images of the 20’s up to the 50’s from Paris and Turkey…” Recent exhibitions include two solo digital art exhibition in Dar Al Funoon Gallery and a photography exhibition in Beit Lothan Gallery. Al Awadi was also one of the collaborators in the Kuwaiti Pavilion in the Venice Biennale 2014.
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LOT 10 / SEPIDEH NEJAD SATTARI [ b.1982 / Iran ]
Time Oil on canvas 100 x 100 cm 2015 Estimate: $2800 - $3200
Sepideh Nejad Sattari is originally from Isfahan, Iran, where she started to learn her art. Her mentors include masters such as Siamak Azmi and Hamed Sader Arhamy allowing her to develop her own hyper-realistic style. Her childhood started in the war and continued in Iran’s volatile conditions - in a confluence of tradition and modernity, Sattari adopted the spark behind her paintings. Holding three solo exhibitions in the reputable Vali and Seyhoun art galleries under the title of Chardin’s Shadow Tehran in 2012 and 2016 as well as participations in several group exhibitions such as the seventh group exhibition of Haft Negah in the Niavaran’s Farhangsara (cultural center) in February 2015.
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LOT 11 / FADI ATTOURA [ b.1978 / Syria ]
Untitled Acrylic on canvas 120 x 120 2009 Estimate: $2600 - $3000
Fadi Attoura started drawing at a very young age in his hometown of Hama in Syria. After graduating from Sohail Al Ahdeb in Syria, Attoura graduated form the College of Fine Arts in Damascus, which paved his way to becoming a member of the esteemed Plastic Arts Union. His early career centered on expressionist abstract paintings where Attoura aims to draw on emotions and interests he experiences at any one stage of his life. His most recent series reflects on the beauty, light and innocence which children represent. Attoura has exhibited extensively around the Middle East and continues to live in Hama, Syria exploring his next body of work.
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LOT 12 / SASSAN BEHNAM BAKHTIAR [ b.1984 / Iran ]
Kashan Luster photo paper 60 x 80 cm Edition 3/10 2014 Estimate: $2300 - $2800
Sassan Behnam Bakhtiar, dubbed “a man on a mission to inform the world of the true nature of Iran” by Harper’s Bazaar Art and “the multitalented renaissance artist of his generation from Iran” by the Huffington post. Bakhtiar portrays a necessary alternative view on his native country of Iran - he communicates his opinion of the truth to his audience via his signature artistic style to depict a different Iran than the one being seen through the lens of the media.Bakhtiar’s artwork has been exhibited and auctioned with highly reputable galleries and auction houses, alongside the industry’s established Iranian masters. He currently lives and works in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France.
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LOT 13 / ROXANA MANOUCHEHRI [ b.1974 / Iran ]
Untitled Acrylic on canvas 100 x 120cm 2013 Estimate: $3800 - $4300 Roxana Manouchehri, of Iranian origin, creates stimulating visual experiences through the use of traditional pictorial elements such as Persian miniature figures and geometrical patterns. Her works incite the viewer to attempt some reconciliation between the conflicting sensibilities hidden within beautifully rendered portraits by Da Vinci or Renaissance landscapes. Her artworks also include traditional Middle Eastern imagery alongside images familiar to Western culture. As an established visual artist, Manouchehri currently lives and works in Dublin after two years in Seoul, Korea. With over ten solo exhibitions throughout Tehran, Seoul, London and Dublin as well over thirty international group shows, Manouchehri continues to disseminate her art globally.
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LOT 14 / ALI SHAWWA [ b.1976 / Kuwait ]
Karim et Sultan Acrylic on linen 150 x 100 cm 2016 Estimate: $2,900 - $3400
Ali Shawwa is a Kuwaiti artist based in Dubai. He was raised on the seashore of the Mediterranean in Cyprus, where he initially started painting when he was 15. Shawwa’s work is known for its layers and rich texture - infusing them together in search of balance and a relationship between the traditional and the contemporary. His latest collection weaves the dualities between portraits and nature, where abstract fauna are superimposed and become a central motif that runs throughout the work. Shawwa’s artwork has been acquired internationally by art enthusiasts and collectors in sixteen different cities. He currently lives between Dubai and Cyprus producing his new series of paintings and sculptures.
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LOT 15 / AMIRALI IZADI [ b. 1981 / Iran ]
Untitled Mixed media on canvas 140 x 140 cm 2015 Estimate: $2300 - $2700
Amirali Izadi was raised in an artistic family in Tehran and calligraphy runs in his blood as Dabirkhaghan, his great grandfather, a renowned Persian calligrapher of the past century. Izadi was trained under the supervision of Master Yadollah Kaboli, the pioneer of Shekaste Calligraphy. He has always been inspired by the diversity of colors in nature. In his latest works, he carves the words of Persian poets such as Hafez and Rumi through the layers of mixed media on canvas, leaving an ambiguous results, leaving the the work to the viewers interpretation. Izadi’s past exhibitions include a solo show in Tehran’s Henna Gallery and Raad Auction in Tehran.
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LOT 16 / ZAINA EL SAID [ b.1978 / Iraq-Jordan ]
Bowie’s World Digital collage on paper 112 x 84 cm 2015 Estimate: $1000 - $1500
Born into a family of Iraqi artists, El Said was raised in Amman, Jordan where she started her artistic journey. El Said started by painting regional Arab culture and folklore exploring different mediums before evolving to her now signature style of collage and digital art. She creates her collages by merging images from magazines, fairy-tale books, posters and endless material to create a narrative and surrealist collage paintings. Her pleasure in working with collage is the sublime timelessness each piece presents. El Said is an active participant in the Middle East art scene with exhibitions held in both Amman and the greater Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
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LOT 17 / AMIR FARHAD [ b.1977 / Iran ]
Untitled Silkscreen, marker and ink on cardboard 100 x 70cm 2012 Estimate: $2800 - $3200
Amir Farhad lives and works in Tehran, Iran and is an active participant in the Iranian art scene. His work revolves around the intricacies of Tehran’s environment “…a huge city with all the contrasts, contradictions and characteristics of a large metropolis…”. Farhad’s art is a narration of his upbringing in Iran. Rather than modern or post-modern, his work is a manifestation of a new contemporary – a comic vision of Farhad’s perspective of an internal war. Farhad’s dynamic, historical and satirical works have been exhibited throughout Iran, which include five solo shows and over ten group exhibitions, as well as representation by esteemed galleries during two Abu Dhabi Art fairs and Art 13, London.
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LOT 18 / SASAN NASERNIA [ b.1974 / Iran ]
Man Of Letters Mixed media on canvas 150 x 150 cm 2013 Estimate: $3400 - $4000
Sasan Nasernia began his career as a calligrapher and typography artist. Nasernia, who has a BFA from Azad Art University of Tehran, explores different avenues in Persian classical and also modern calligraphy in a myriad of themes. He is broadly interested in playing with the tension between opposing elements of order and chaos - sometimes borrowing from traditional Persian painting and iconography. Nasernia often employs the icons of the past and the modern world, infusing them with letters and lines to create a visual lexicon of his own. He has exhibited his work in multiple group as well as solo shows in Dubai and Tehran, which includes a recent solo exhibition in Seyhoun Gallery in Tehran. Nasernia currently lives and works in Dubai.
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LOT 19 / MOHAMMED AL KOUH [ b.1984 / Kuwait ]
The End Hand coloured gelatin silver print 91 x 128 cm Edition 2/6 2012 Estimate: $2800 - $3300
Mohammed Al Kouh is a prolific Kuwaiti artist making waves beyond his hometown. Beyond his deep fascination with all forms of art – Al Kouh has been strongly drawn to the medium of photography from an early age. He creates a beautiful relationship with himself and his subjects by distinctively capturing and preserving his society’s past and all its memories through his lens. Al Kouh brings back nostalgia and history in its rarest form, making him one of the exceptional artists of our time. Al Kouh has made his mark as one of the region’s established photographers, participating extensively in group and solo exhibitions across Kuwait and the greater GCC.
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LOT 20 / MORTEZA SHAMISSA [ b.1978 / Iran ]
Untitled Acrylic on canvas 70 x 70 cm 2015 Estimate: $1200 - $1600
A visual artist born in the north of Iran, Shamissa’s experience is in graphic design, calligraphy and photography. He continued his education in graphic design but delved into his passion of calligraphy at an early age. Unique to his style is Shamissa’s ability to bring the ancient script into a distinctive contemporary framework. His mixed media works are a result of expressing his concept and observations using font as his vehicle out of his Tehran studio. Shamissa has taken part in several exhibitions in Brussels, Tehran, Tokyo and Toronto.
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LOT 21 / AMR ATTAMIMI [ b.1990 / Yemen ]
Lalaland Digital photography 56 x 80 cm Edition 4 /4 2013 Estimate: $800 - $1200
Born and raised in Yemen, Attamimi reflects on his emotions and experiences in a country where artists often find trouble to break through the barrier of a traditional conservative society. With various stages of ups and downs in his environment, Attamimi takes a moment to express what he feels channeling his utmost experiences and inner emotions through his photography. As an emerging artist, Attamimi has already held three solo shows in his hometown of Sana’a and is currently living in London pursuing the next stage of his career.
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LOT 22 / RABEE BAGHSHANI [ b.1982 / Iran ]
Coca Cola Digital print on canvas 100 x 100cm Edition 2/3 2016 Estimate: $500 - $800
Rabee Baghshani is the latest digital artist to enter the Iranian art landscape, she currently resides in Mashad, Iran pursuing her art. Her digital renditions represent a hybrid of East and West where she bridges together her country’s cultural history with our present pop culture. By placing the Qajari figures in a Western context - Baghshani infuses a satirical playfulness in her artworks. Baghshani had her first exhibition in Farzad Gallery in Mashad in 2015.
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To extend your art collection visit: WWW.EMERGEAST.COM
TEAM / Dima Abdul Kader / Co-Founder Nikki Meftah / Co-Founder Talal Iliya / Auctioneer Saghar Moayeri / Creative Assistant
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