The establishment of the new Artspace gallery, sponsored by Barclays Wealth and Mondrian South Beach, comes at a time when global interest in Middle Eastern contemporary art is growing. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the DIFC and Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, commented, “Contemporary art in the region has recently gained a high international profile by virtue of the exceptional creative work being done here. The Middle East has been identified as one of the world’s most exciting emerging art markets.” Artspace was born out of the the gallery’s owner, Maliha Al Tabari’s passion for contemporary art. A painter and sculptor herself, with a BFA and an art history minor from Otis College of Art and Design and Ringling School of Art and Design, Florida, Al Tabari’s background helped her shape Artspace into one of the most prominent contemporary art galleries in the region. Artspace also operates as an art consultancy for private collectors and public spaces. Over the years, Artspace has allied itself with leading art establishments, such as the British Museum, which has contributed to the collections showcased at its gallery. The works exhibited at Artspace span different mediums - from oil on canvas to photography to sculpture and cater to the most sophisticated tastes and trends of Dubai’s art connoisseurs. With the promotion of contemporary Middle Eastern art by auction houses such as Christies, Sotheby’s and fairs such as Art Dubai and Art Paris (Abu Dhabi), Artspace has seen substantial growth in its business over the last year. On its launch, Artspace is showcasing the works of a unique selection of innovative artists who represent a new wave of Middle Eastern art: Adam Henein, Zakaria Ramhani, Adel El Siwi, Ahmed Mater, Paul Guiragossian, Emanuel Guiragossian, Louay Kayyali, Youssef Ahmed and Omar El-Nagdi. Learning experience at Cuadro

Cuadro’s inaugural exhibition features an impressive collection of works by celebrated international contemporary artists. The show is guest-curated by Bruce Helander, former Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Rhode Island School of Design. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman said, “Art galleries play a very important function in nurturing art. They serve as focal points for artists to connect with the larger community. The opening of the Cuadro Museum and Fine Art Gallery will provide an impetus for spreading greater awareness and appreciation of international contemporary art in Dubai.” Bashar Al Shroogi moved from Barcelona to Dubai to establish Cuadro. His vision for Cuadro goes beyond that of a simple exhibition space and is built on three principles. Firstly, a global outlook; secondly Cuadro seeks to initiate a dialogue in art, regardless of reputation or provenance and will aim to ensure the works of both established and emerging artists are displayed on its walls. Finally, Cuadro places a significant emphasis on the role of education. Al Shroogi believes that promoting art education will fuel the market and infuse it with energy. Already active in the art community, Al Shroogi has been working towards his vision for education, speaking at several local and international art lectures and conferences. Bruce Helander is leading the first lecture series for the gallery, Learning to See. A night at the Opera

The Opera Gallery is displaying a variety of art both in terms of genre and style. Bertrand Epaud, General Manager of the Opera Gallery in DIFC said, “The Opera Gallery offers a unique experience to our world-wide audience, ranging from well-informed art collectors to amateurs, by opening their emotions and senses to an eclectic and diverse collection of art. Opera’s formula rests on its founder Giles Dyan’s direct access to some of the most sought-after masterpieces of the last two centuries. Dyan is not only one of the thirty-eight Certified Experts in European Contemporary Paintings, stringently regulated by the European Chamber of Art Expert Advisors, he is also trusted by the families and estate executioners of artistic luminaries such as Chagall, Dali and Dubuffet. His sharp acumen for business is evident in one of the most pivotal business strategies for Opera Gallery - the concept of an art fund. The main objective of the art fund is to create a board of directors and shareholders who share a common interest in investing in fine art. With the financial support of the board, Opera is able to purchase all the artwork it sells in the galleries. This allows the Gallery to leverage on the valuation of the works and provides it with an incredible edge over the competition. www.artspace-dubai.com www.cuadroart.com www.operagallery.com