Christie’s is heading to Abu Dhabi for its first-ever fine art auction in the capital, bringing more than 70 works spanning six decades of modern and contemporary Middle Eastern art to The Abu Dhabi EDITION on November 1. Titled MAWASIM: 20 Years of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art, the landmark sale will feature works from major collections across the region, including Beirut’s Dalloul Collection and Sharjah’s Barjeel Art Foundation.
Six Decades of Middle Eastern Art
The auction will trace the evolution of modern and contemporary art across the Middle East and North Africa, bringing together works that reflect six decades of artistic practice. From pioneering modernism to contemporary experimentation, the sale highlights the region’s diverse artistic landscape and the collectors, galleries, and institutions that have helped shape it.
Works From Major Regional Collections
Among the works on offer are pieces from the Dalloul Collection in Beirut and the Barjeel Art Foundation in Sharjah, giving collectors a chance to discover works from two of the region’s notable art collections.
The sale will also be accompanied by a wider programme of exhibitions, talks and events, turning Christie’s Abu Dhabi debut into a broader cultural moment rather than a one-day auction.
A Full-Circle Moment for Christie’s
The Abu Dhabi auction also marks a significant milestone for Christie’s in the UAE. The auction house held its inaugural UAE sale in Dubai in 2006, around the time plans for the Saadiyat Cultural District were taking shape. Twenty years later, Christie’s is bringing its first fine art auction to Abu Dhabi, now home to an expanding cultural scene.
Joining a Major Cultural Season
The auction arrives just weeks before Frieze Abu Dhabi, taking place from November 19–22, and the opening of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on December 11. Some artists represented in the Christie’s sale will also appear at Frieze, offering collectors and art lovers another opportunity to encounter their work during the season.
The project has been more than a year in the making, with Christie’s decision to stage the auction in Abu Dhabi predating the announcement of Frieze’s arrival. Together, these events highlight the growing network of artists, collectors and cultural institutions shaping Abu Dhabi’s art scene.
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