Press Release
Dubai’s Renowned Artspace Gallery Proudly Presents Palestinian artist Kamal
Boullata
A diverse and moving exhibition of contemporary paintings
Dubai, 10th December 2009 – Artspace Gallery is pleased to be showcasing an innovative selection
of works by the Palestinian Artist Kamal Boullata at an exhibition that is taking place from the 9th to
31st of December.
Boullata’s work is well regarded around the world and is considered one of Palestine’s great
contemporary artists. His works are included in public collections and important institutions
such as The British Museum, London; Institute du Monde Arabe, Paris; New York Public
Library, New York; The Khalid Shoman Foundation, Amman; Jordan National Gallery,
Amman, Sharjah Art Museum, Sharjah and the Bibliotheque Louis Notari, Monaco.
Boullata is also known for writings on Arab and Palestinian art. He has published books and
written articles which have appeared in anthologies, periodicals and exhibition catalogues.
Abdulla bin Hamad Bin Sougat, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Lifestyle Group, said “The
Dubai International Financial Centre is keen to continuously enhance its offerings in the field
of art and culture for both its community and the wider public in Dubai. As Kamal Boullata is
one of the Arab World's contemporary art prodigies, hosting his exhibition at the Gate Village
is an important event that enriches the arts and culture calendar in the region. Bullata’s works
have been welcomed and showcased by the finest art institutions around the world. Now
Artspace is providing an opportunity to art lovers in the UAE and the region to view his
masterpieces."
The paintings on display will present Arabic words and numbers, expressing the relationships
between geometry, color and light. Boullata’s inspiration comes from Al-Hasan Ibn AlHaitham, who was a calligrapher, mathematician and physicist among many other things.
This particular exhibition of Boullata’s works is dedicated to this leading Arab pioneer.
The Middle East Art Fund
Young countries, with young eyes are seeing the world differently and re-producing sights,
sounds and textures in fresh and exciting new ways. Major work from the Arab Middle East
and surrounding countries is sweeping into the art world and major auction houses as an
important new contender. This fast moving, rapidly evolving new Middle East art market led
to Daman Investments developing an innovative new fund devoted to contemporary regional
art - the Daman Middle East Art Fund. Launched in the first quarter of 2008 with a capital of
AED 50 Million, qualified, interested investors and grass roots art connoisseurs known to the
Manager were invited to form a new fund that could take part in and capitalize on this rapidly
evolving, dynamic new entry into the global art scene. The Middle East Art Fund strictly
invests in contemporary art with a specific focus on the Middle East with a clear objective to
capitalize on that interest while contributing to the expansion of art within Middle Eastern and
regional culture as well as across borders. Sponsoring projects and incubating new artists is
part of the activities undertaken by the Fund in projects ranging from sponsoring the
publication of new authors to funding group exhibitions and one man shows. The Fund is on
a constant lookout for Middle Eastern artists globally, who have a strong potential to
outperform. The Fund rigorously evaluates each art piece and its provenance as well as the
artist prior to making
the investment.
- Ends -
DIFC Lifestyle Group
The DIFC Lifestyle Group, a division of DIFC Investments, the investment arm of the Dubai International
Financial Centre (DIFC), designs, leases and manages premium retail developments that offer distinctive
lifestyle experiences. The Group has created a high-end lifestyle sanctuary within the DIFC financial district for
people who seek the finer things in life. Customers can experience an impeccable blend of luxury retail and
fashion, premium F&B, fine art and culture. All this, combined with the financial district's iconic architectural
setting, has made DIFC home to one of the region's most luxurious retail environments. Art and cultural
offerings enrich the lifestyle experience offered within DIFC. Galleries established under the umbrella of the
DIFC Lifestyle Group showcase an eclectic mix of contemporary art from across the world, with a special
emphasis on the region between North Africa and India. The DIFC Lifestyle Group’s offering marries the style
and exclusivity of a premium retail destination with the vibrancy and verve of a global financial business
community. Retailers and art galleries establishing in DIFC have access to a captive market of high-income
financial professionals, among whose ranks are several ultra-high-net-worth individuals. In 2008, the DIFC
Lifestyle group acquired a majority stake in Villa Moda, a unique multi-brand luxury fashion store. Villa Moda
has implemented a unique retail concept in the Gate Village in DIFC, which features boutiques of global fashion
brands like Marni, Dries Van Noten, Vivienne Westwood, Nina Ricci, Issey Miyake and Tsumori Chisato.
For PR inquiries on DIFC Lifestyle Group, please contact:
Amira Abdulla
Director - Regional Public Relations
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971 4 362 2433
Email: amira.abdulla@difc.ae
Shaima Al Zarouni
Assistant PR Manager
Dubai International Financial Centre
Tel: +971 4 362 2432
E-mail: shaima.alzarouni@difc.ae
About Artspace Gallery:
Launched in May 2003 at the Fairmont Dubai, Artspace Gallery invited Dubai and the region to acquaint
themselves with Contemporary Middle Eastern Art. Having dedicated the past five years to promoting and
establishing Contemporary Middle Eastern artists in the region, Artspace Gallery now boasts a portfolio of over
20 artists, and is located in the art district at The Gate Village, DIFC.
For more information and location:
Visit HUwww.artspace-dubai.comU or call +9714 3230820
About The Daman Middle East Art Fund:
Launched in the first quarter of 2008 with a capital of AED 50 Million, the Daman Middle East Art Fund was
developed to tap into the rapid growth of the emerging Middle East art market. The fund was formed by
qualified, interested investors and art connoisseurs known to the Manager on an invitation only basis.
Investing into contemporary art with a specific focus on Middle Eastern art, the Fund looks to capitalize on that
interest while contributing to the expansion of art within Middle Eastern and regional culture and across borders.
Specific attention is paid to the evaluation of each art piece and its provenance as well as the artist, thereby
optimizing value, prior to making the investment.
For PR inquiries on Artspace Gallery, please contact:
Artspace
Sossy Dikijian
+9714 3230820
Usossy@artspace-dubai.com