Sotheby’s has been a trusted custodian of the world’s finest possessions and art pieces for nearly three centuries. With an enduring legacy, the auction house’s global impact in the realms of art, culture, and luxury is beyond compare.
Sotheby’s has only nine salesrooms around the world, speaking to the top-tier calibre of the brand’s wares. Each salesroom serves to educate people on the astounding breadth of art in the world, and its sheer significance, and Sotheby’s Dubai in DIFC is no exception.
Like its sister branches, Sotheby’s Dubai brings people closer to the artists, philosophers, and visionaries who shape our sensibilities by hosting curated exhibitions, talks, and private sales. These events truly exemplify the auction house’s intrinsic role in seismic cultural shifts, the global trajectory of art, and even in crucial discourses on the state of the world.
Sotheby’s Dubai is also the main catalyst for the rapid growth of the UAE’s art landscape, owing to its fervent support for artists from North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf. By championing the makers of art, the auction house is actively weaving the intricate cultural tapestry of the region. Indeed, its galleries are key for mapping the nation's vivid artistic heritage and serve as a gateway for cultural exchange in the world at large.
Hot Spots Exhibition at Dubai Sotheby’s: Art Mirroring Identity and Culture
The Sotheby’s Hot Spots selling exhibition is a tribute to the UAE’s cultural landscape and the artists who vivify it. It is running until March 10 at Dubai Sotheby’s and is the first-ever collaborative venture between Tabari Artspace and the Third Line.
From hand embroidery artist Margaux Derhy to painter Hashel Al Lamki, the exhibition seeks to spotlight both emerging and established artists on the world stage. Beyond celebrating the remarkable artistic output of the UAE, it is also a platform for artists to share their personal journey or express their insight into the workings of the world. With these artists hailing from different countries and delving into different disciplines, onlookers are privileged to an incredible diversity of thought and philosophies.
Needless to say, the Hot Spots is also an incredible opportunity to purchase a poignant glimpse of the world – one can grow a rich body of works that explores themes of human emotion, globalisation, and the condition of mankind.
A platform for personal stories and social commentary, this exhibition ensures unrivalled exposure for its artists – in addition to a steadfast global network, the exhibition has adopted a commercial vernacular inspired by the languages and codes employed in travel marketing and digital advertising.
Perspectives of the Region: Artists Redefining Contemporary Expression
Margaux Derhy – Déjà Magicienne (Already a Magician)
Margaux Derhy’s body of work mainly encompasses intricate embroidery pieces, which typically draw inspiration from her Franco-Moroccan heritage. The keen precision of Derhy’s embroidery techniques results in subtle colour and texture variations, creating deep and detailed images. Her trademark blank faces shift the viewer’s focus to the figure’s posture, the backdrop, the clothing, and other nuances which reflect themes of identity, presence, and cultural belonging within the broader context of contemporary Middle Eastern and North African art.
Derhy’s work transcends aesthetics to unravel traditions and societal norms while celebrating the embroidery art form. By collaborating with ten other women she trained in the craft, she has also created a stable source of income for those who have limited access to employment opportunities. As such, Derhy has impressively preserved an incredibly niche art form by creating pieces that resonate globally while tangibly elevating her community.
Hashel Al Lamki – Endless Love (oil paint)
Emirati artist Hashel Al Lamki’s works span painting, sculpture, digital media, and large-scale installations. His art, rooted in conceptual enquiry, explores themes of migration, globalisation, urbanisation, and the evolving relationship between mankind and the environment. Sustainability is a crucial driver of his work, which wholly features natural and upcycled materials.
Al Lamki’s work boldly challenges conventional perceptions of place and identity besides interrogating the interconnected forces that shape contemporary society. His oil painting titled ‘Endless Love’ depicts the Tawam roundabout with its sculptures of horses, which is a major landmark in Al Ain.
The painting is descriptive and moving – the majestic horse is proudly rearing up against a bright red sky, which is evocative of the sunsets in Al Ain. The luxuriant hues express Al Lamki’s profound relationship with his family and the place where he grew up.
Almaha Jaralla – Focal Point (acrylic and oil on canvas)
Abu Dhabi-based painter Almaha Jaralla’s work is a commentary on the modern history of her native surroundings. She observes living environments and creates highly personal portraits, speaking to her deep connection with the architectural language of her milieu.
Through Jaralla’s work, viewers get an up-close view of the Gulf’s evolving landscape over a period of time. Through astute use of colour theory, she beautifully depicts the delicate intersections of sociocultural dynamics and ancestral histories that have shaped her experience in her homeland.
Sotheby’s presence in Dubai brings an encyclopaedic expertise of the region and an enduring commitment to excellence. Driving the brand’s presence in the city is an increased interest and demand from regional clients for Middle Eastern art. With a fascinating repertoire of events — from exhibitions to talks and mentorship programmes — Sotheby’s Dubai continues to uphold the esteem that’s expected of the brand while supporting artists in their innovative quests.
The Hot Spots exhibition perfectly embodies this ethos, serving as a launchpad for artists to make their mark on the world.
