For Abu Dhabi’s art collectors, Ghaf Gallery’s annual Ramadan Art Bazaar is one of the biggest events on the cultural calendar. With local and expat artists offering up their work for a fraction of their usual asking price, the capital’s cardigan-owning, bespectacled types have been known to flock to the Khalidiyah art space in their droves, their faces illuminated with the sort of rampant glee you’d usually associate with a fashionista about to plunder the new year sales. Curator Sumayyah Al Suwaidi – herself an experienced digital artist – tells us why this summer’s show is a must-see event.
What sort of reception has the show enjoyed in previous years?
Normally people are overwhelmed by what they see. They’re mostly drawn by the reasonable prices, but some of them end up asking for more discount! The bazaar is more a community exhibition, rather than a formal art exhibition. It brings people together, people who aren’t familiar with galleries and who are usually intimidated by art.
What do you think people get from owning a piece of original art that they don’t get from a print?
One reason a lot of people don’t appreciate art is because they don’t own any. So as soon as you own one piece you immediately start becoming more appreciative of the art that’s here in the city.
What sort of discounts will be on offer? How cheap are we talking?
The discount is completely up to the artist, but there’s an upper limit of Dhs4,000. The cheapest is around Dhs500, that’s like an A5 sized piece of work. People usually buy small pieces and keep them for Christmas and birthdays, things like that.
Tell us about some of the artists involved and the sort of work they produce…
Jalal Luqman, Mattar Bin Lahej, Khalil Abdulwahid. These three are pioneers in the UAE’s fine art society. And, of course, Abdulrahim Salem, who’s one of the people who started the visual arts scene here in the UAE and is also the chairman of the Emirates Arts Society in Sharjah. And then you have artists like Chritch, like Claude Habib and Neena Rai, all different nationalities, all different levels of expertise.
Is there anyone whose work is likely to sell out really fast?
Normally Mattar Bin Lahej, his works sells very quickly. I never end up with any of his pieces at the end of the show! But then it’s not every day you get to buy a Jalal Luqman piece for Dhs2,000, so there are some
real bargains.
The Ramadan Art Bazaar runs from August 4-31. Entry is free. Call 02 665 5332 for information.
View our comprehensive Ramadan guide here
Buying art: top tips!
Clutching your credit card in sweaty anticipation? Here are five pointers that’ll make sure you don’t come home with a dud
1. Researching artists you’re interested in is essential. Google their name and find out which galleries have exhibited their work. If they don’t have a website (or at least feature on a few arty blogs) they’re probably not professional or prolific enough for their work to represent a sound investment.
2. Try to go to the opening nights of exhibitions, since this is your best opportunity to meet artists and speak to them about their work. Sometimes this can be the best indicator as to whether or not work is likely to increase in value. Plus, if they’re up for it, you can haggle.
3. Start small – if you can pick up a piece for Dhs2,000 and sell it for Dhs8,000 a year or so down the line, you’ll know you have the knack for buying art, and be able to use your bargain-hunting eye on a bigger scale. And that’s when you really start making some money.
4. Buying limited edition photography is a great way to start your collection, since works are often cheaper than fine art pieces and will appeal to a broad variety of tastes when it comes to selling up.
5. Above all else, buy a piece you find aesthetically pleasing. That way, even if your dreams of becoming a high-flying art dealer fall flat, at least you’ve got something nice to put on your wall and talk about at parties.
