All great sheikhs
One of the premiere international art fairs came to a close yesterday in the splendour of the Middle East, and we are told that the city’s artists and gallerists had a blast. The tenth edition of Art Dubai saw booths swamped with visitors, who took in well-curated works by young, senior, modern and contemporary artists. "The fair has become more global and is an intimate space where you can engage with each work of art. There was a good representation of Indian art and galleries, and a lot of important sales have happened," said Farah Siddiqui, the fair’s Ambassador from India. Notable patrons and collectors such as Rajeeb and Nadia Samdani, Sanjay Lalbhai and Kavita Singh dropped in and there were soirees aplenty, we hear, especially one held by the fair’s partner, The Abraaj Group. Kudos to the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his wife Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who, attendees say engaged thoroughly with the fair. From Mumbai, galleries Chemould, Chatterjee and Lal, Sakshi, Lakeeren and Jhaveri Contemporary had their booths out there. We believe Nasreen Mohamedi’s untitled painting at Chatterjee and Lal’s booth was a crowd-puller. In fact, the gallery booth was concerned with the way landscapes have been represented by four artists, and Mortimer Chatterjee said, "For us, Art Dubai is crucially important as it functions as an important bridge between global and local art discourses."

Farah Siddiqui