The Story Behind the Shireen and Reza Khazeni Collection

by Tiffany Renee Floyd The Walid Damirji collection of Modern Iraqi Art comprises rare and important works by some of the important Iraqi artists of the 20th century, notably Shakir Hassan Al Said, Mohammed Ghani Hikmat, Ismail Fattah, Kadhim Hayder, and Faik Hassan.

Iraqi Modernists

An exploration of some of the works in the sale which depict interiors, exteriors or interesting subjects that raise the question - what was the artist looking at or thinking?

The Artist’s Gaze

London

Sotheby’s Modern &amp; Contemporary Middle East online-only auction features seventy lots and comprises artists from the Middle East, Iran, Turkey and North Africa. Two important private collections highlight the pioneering modernists of Iran and Iraq. Further important works from this early period hail from important Egyptian, Saudi Arabian, Lebanese, Turkish, Moroccan, Tunisian and Algerian artists. A small component of the sale comprises contemporary works by leading figures in the field. Complementing the Love Letter to Beirut sale which takes place during the same week, we hope to forge new connections across the fascinating web of creativity that continues to stem from the region.&nbsp; SALE NUMBER L24228

Head of Sale, Modern and Contemporary Middle East

Alexandra Yasmina Roy

Head of Contemporary Art Day Sale

Ashkan Baghestani

Chairman, Middle East

Katia Nounou Boueiz

Deputy Director | Middle East Representative and Specialist | MENA

Yasmeen Gailani

Research Assistant

Angela Qin

Meet our Specialists

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This Spring, we are pleased to present our bi-annual Modern &amp; Contemporary Middle East sale with a focus on important modernist and contemporary avant-garde artists from the regions encompassing North Africa, Turkey, Iran, and the Middle East. Comprising seventy lots, this sale is led by two private collections, both of which were put together for the most part in the 1970s, and with a focus on modern Iranian and Iraqi masters respectively. Further highlights include an early work by Fahrelnissa Zeid depicting the view from her studio in Istanbul, works by Saudi pioneers Abdulhalim Radwi and Taha Al Sabban, Egyptian female artists Inji Efflatoun, Gazbia Sirry and Khadiga Riaz as well as a few important Lebanese works by Etel Adnan, Huguette Caland and a rediscovered painting by Shafic Abboud. North African artists are also well represented, notably through Baya Mahieddine, Mohammed Melehi, Mahjoub Ben Bella, and Abdallah Benanteur.