'Art Antiques Design Dubai' hailed as key cultural event in GCC calendar

The fair, launched by Haughton International Fairs in Dubai in 2008, took place from the 18th-22nd February against an altogether more complex backdrop this year with the wealthy Gulf States experiencing their own economic problems in a globally difficult climate.

In spite of this, attendance figures at the fair increased on 2008 with members of leading families from across the region attending daily or represented by their intermediaries. Due to the present economic downturn, it was a more difficult selling market than in 2008, as was noted by most exhibitors. Nonetheless, they reported plenty of interest in a wide-range of items, with many of them optimistic that sales conducted at the fair would be followed by more in the days and weeks to come.

"Since our inaugural fair last year, we are excited to see such widespread interest from across the Gulf proving that there is indeed an untapped market of serious art buyers in the region," said Brian Haughton, organiser of 'Art Antiques Design Dubai'

Exhibitors reporting sales included Sladmore Sculpture Gallery (London), new to the fair this year, but who have an established following in the Middle East for their 19th and 20th century and contemporary sculpture. They made several sales and were hopeful of more to come. Other of the leading international dealers represented included Koopman Rare Art (London) with antique silver and works of art and Ronald Phillips Ltd (London) with 18th and 19th century English furniture and furnishings, both of whom reported "plenty of interest" and had a number of pieces on reserve; Mathaf Gallery (London) said they were "happy" with business; Bernard Shapero Rare Books (London) made a few sales in what they freely admitted to be a "tough" environment and Sam Fogg (London) were pleased with the level of Middle Eastern interest in their range of Islamic art works, as was Brian Haughton Gallery (London) who were greatly encouraged by the very serious interest in their most important Continental porcelain, with a number of pieces on reserve at the fair's close.

One of the oldest galleries in the UAE, the Majlis Gallery, returned to the 2009 fair showcasing top quality watercolours by Alexander Creswell among other artworks. "At the 2009 fair, we are happy to have built several relationships with clients outside our existing portfolio. The fair was an excellent platform for us to showcase works from one of our key artists and meet new buyers as the regional art market rapidly expands. It would be good if art lovers start to utilise such excellent opportunities such as 'Art Antiques Design Dubai' to encourage growth of the regional art market," said Alison Collins, owner of Majlis Gallery.

A tribute to the show organisers, Haughton International Fairs, several foreign and regional artists selected the Dubai fair as their international launch platform across the Islamic and jewelled arts categories. One was Saudi Arabia's Adilah Bundakji whose embroideries woven with silk threads are decorated with verses inspired by the Koran and Kiswah and another Liv Ballard from California, exhibiting her own "bespoke" jewellery. Both exhibitors attracted keen interest from regional buyers.

Another new exhibitor, Meem Gallery/Noor Islamic Art, was also delighted with its reception at the fair and with the volume of business.

A New York based dealer new to 'Art Antiques Design Dubai', Jane Kahan, commented on the quality of visitors who attended from the GCC saying that the Middle Eastern visitors to the fair represented some of the world's most sophisticated and aesthetically aware buyers.