Christie's Middle East appoints Hala Khayat as Junior Specialist for Contemporary Middle Eastern & Iranian Art

In her new role Khayat will work closely with William Lawrie, Head of Sales for International Modern & Contemporary Art, and will further strengthen the dynamic Christie's team based full-time in the Middle East Khayat has a BA in Fine Arts & Visual Communications from the University of Damascus, Syria and an MA in Design Studies from Central St Martin's College of Art & Design, London.

She has held a variety of roles in the world of art and journalism, including as Art Consultant for Art House, a boutique hotel and gallery in Damascus, Syria.

She has been resident in Dubai for the past 6 years and most recently assisted with the research for and cataloguing of the successful Christie's sale of International Modern and Contemporary Arab and Iranian Art in Dubai in October, 2007, which saw 62 new world records prices at auction, including for any work by an Arab artist -- Ahmed Moustafa's Quranic Polytych of Nine Panels (£336,910/$657,000/Dhs2,411,190).

Working alongside, and reporting to, William Lawrie, Khayat will have a particular responsibility for helping to consign rare artworks and create the catalogues for Christie's twice annual art auctions in Dubai, bringing a wealth of experience to the Christie's brand and business within the Gulf, Levant and North Africa region.

'The interest in contemporary Arab and Iranian art is reaching tremendous proportions both regionally and internationally. This appointment underscores Christie's continuing investment in the region and the team behind Christie's leadership position in sourcing and selling the finest and most rare examples available in the market in the Middle East,' said Michael Jeha, Managing Director of Christie's Middle East.

In her new role, Khayat will play a key role in Christie's forthcoming International Modern & Contemporary Art auction, taking place in Dubai on April 30