Strengthening its presence in Saudi Arabia, and after establishing its first office in Riyadh, Sotheby’s Auction House announced the organization of the first international art auction in the Kingdom on February 8, under the title “Origins”.
The auction, which is the first for the house after obtaining a license to open a headquarters in the Kingdom, will present artworks by Saudi artists alongside leading names in the history of international art, in addition to luxury exhibits, including jewelry, watches and luxury handbags. The auction contents will be displayed in a free public exhibition between February 1 and 8 before being sold at auction.
Charles F. Stewart, CEO of Sotheby’s, said: “The cultural sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing great activity today. We have followed the flourishing cultural scene with great interest. By committing to establishing a physical presence here in Riyadh, we are supporting the enrichment of the art scene in the Kingdom, which will empower the large youth population in Saudi Arabia. This presence will be an important milestone in the history of our relationship with the Kingdom, and we look forward to holding our inaugural auction to celebrate this occasion, in a historic location of great cultural significance.”
The auction comes after Sotheby’s was officially granted a license to establish an office in Saudi Arabia late last year. This will be followed by the physical opening of the office in one of Riyadh’s most prominent landmarks, designed by Norman Foster to be the Kingdom’s first skyscraper. Together, the anticipated event and the opening of the new office represent the next step in Sotheby’s ongoing and long-term commitment to the region. Sotheby’s has a long history of supporting the cultural environment and infrastructure in the Gulf region. It supported the Kingdom’s first contemporary art biennale in 2021 and the first Islamic Arts Biennale in 2023 in Jeddah. On both occasions, Sotheby’s participated in a series of panel discussions, talks and guided tours delivered by international specialists who travelled to the region for the occasion. This year, Sotheby’s has once again partnered with the Diriyah Biennale Foundation for the 2024 edition, hosting a series of dynamic talks and workshops as part of the public programme.
0 Comments