Modern Art and Artist Estates: Ways, Works and Archives Vol II Issue #61

Dear readers,
It gives me great pleasure to share with you Volume II of Selections’ “Modern Art Issue”.
This second in the series came to life after the incredible amount of feedback received following our first edition on the subject. As such, we felt compelled to continue to share with you the rich culture of the region and insightful interactions
with key personalities making strides in the name of Modern art.
With this in mind, one of this issue’s major highlights certainly has to be the section on “Modern Art and Artist Estates: Ways, Works and Archives”, in which we talk to those building a lasting legacy for artists such as Gamal El Sagini, Abdullatif Al-Smoudi, Michel Basbous, Toufic Abdul-Al, and Asim Abu Shakra.
In this issue we also delve into the library and explore the world of Dr Basel Dalloul, discovering more on his latest venture into book publishing, and on the impressive collection of the DAF Foundation, all in the service of propelling Arab art to greater acclaim.
Two highly regarded academics also join us this issue to talk about their research in more detail: Suheyla Takesh, a curator and writer at the Barjeel Art Foundation, and American art historian Dr Nada Shabout, who specialises in modern Iraqi art and is the president and co-founding member of the Association for Modern and Contemporary Art in the Arab world, Iran and Turkey.
In another section, we invite you to take a look back and a walk through some of the major modern Arab art exhibitions of the last 10 to 15 years. We hope you enjoy: “A Century in Flux: Highlights from the Barjeel Art Foundation”, Paul
Guiragossian’s “The Human Condition”, Huguette Caland’s “Retrospective 1964-2012”, “Abstraction” by Farouk Hosny at CAP Kuwait and “Lasting Impressions” by Baya Mahieddine in Sharjah. Bringing fascinating perspectives from the auction house world are two special guests this issue. Nima Sagharchi of Bonhams shares her insight on Modern art and its association with NFTs, while Mai Eldib of Sotheby’s reveals the importance of collaborating with artist estates to preserve legacies.
Last but far from least is our long-standing Curated by section, which this issue hosts Nathalie Bondil from the Institut du Monde Arabe, who has chosen to shine a light on women artists.
I am confident that this issue will inspire and enchant you, just as every single encounter with our guests has to me. Enjoy.