Newly established in Al Bateen, the Etihad Antique Gallery features artefacts and contemporary art pieces in a cosy setting.
Joining the galleries shaping the art scene in the city is the Etihad Antique Gallery. A new location opposite Al Bateen Mall connects two adjacent villas; one dedicated to antique pieces while the other hosts contemporary works by local artists. The new venue is a milestone in a long journey undertaken by two art aficionados, Emirati Khalid Seddiq Al Mutawa and German-Syrian Mohammed Khalil Ibrahim. Their collaboration has yielded a truly inviting space, where art and people come together.
You will usually find both gentlemen present when you visit and both are just as eager to help you with any inquiries you may have. Mohammed is all smiles as he shows us around the antiques wing of the villa. There are an assortment of eye-catching and bewildering items, such as an oversized chair and a few cabinets from the 1800s. ‘I go sometimes to procure these things from abroad, it’s a really fun part of my job,’ Mohammed tells us. Everywhere we look, we see intriguing pieces that would make collectors in the city salivate. ‘We have a collection of over 1,500 antiques including over 300 Orientalist paintings by artists such as Otto Pilny and Rudolph Ernst. We also have some Orientalist statues by people such as Franz Bergman and Louis Hottot. We are also accumulating a nice collection of Islamic and European art.’
One of the undeniable charms of the venue is the informal air; there are no stern salespeople hovering around you or looming signs warning you to keep your hands in your pockets. We are allowed to touch items over 200 years old. ‘Just please be careful,’ says Mohammed. We climb some stairs to the upstairs section and we are surrounded by swords and large carpets from the Ottoman Empire. The artefacts are impressive, and wandering around the room, you feel as though you are absorbing history.
Mohammed tells us how it all started. ‘Over a decade ago, Mr. Seddiq and I met and quickly struck up a friendship over our love for antiques. We opened a location in the Tourist Club Area which sold various items.’ The venue is still there, however with the new gallery space, the two entrepreneurs can expand on their art appreciation and contribute to the city’s desire for creative expression.
After our quick tour, Mohammed takes us to the adjacent villa, which is dedicated to contemporary and modern art. A lot of works on display are by members of the Abu Dhabi Art Squad. ‘We opened this section around three months ago,’ says Mohammed. The two-storey villa has sleek wooden lines and white walls, and the colourful artworks give the section a vibrant pop. We stroll from one piece to another, examining the different styles and techniques.
The venue seems to have it all, a wing dedicated to antique artefacts and paintings, as well as a new section showcasing works by local and regional artists. ‘We like to select different styles of work,’ says Mohammed, ‘But of course everything we choose has to be of a certain style and calibre.’
While the response so far to the picturesque venue has been positive, the two partners are planning on expanding operations with an art coffee shop. The new space will allow visitors to enjoy a pleasant cup of Java while they take in some art in a cosy set-up. Whether the new venue will be incorporated into the existing structure or will be in another location, it is sure to meet with success as the two partners show a clear talent for picking art.
The Etihad Antique Gallery is located opposite Al Bateen Mall (02 667 1229).
More galleries to visit
Barakat Gallery
View some ancient Egyptian pieces here.
Emirates Palace Hotel www.barakatgalleryuae.com (02 690 8950).
Eclectic
You can browse through some funky sculptures and unique items.
Khalidiyah Street, Al Khalidiyah (02 666 5158).
Ghaf Art Gallery
They showcase a lot of artefacts by local artists, as well as some expatriate creations.
Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Al Khalidiyah (02 665 5332).
Manarat Al Saadiyat
Visit the Birth of a Museum exhibition.
Saadiyat Island (02 657 5800).
