Gallery sights in Middle East
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Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
This small but visually impressive gallery is a wonderful place to gain an appreciation of contemporary Jordanian painting, sculpture and pottery. The attractive space also highlights contemporary art from around the Middle East and the greater Muslim world. Temporary exhibitions here are of high quality, and serve as a valuable introduction (or refresher) to the world of Islamic art. An hour or so is probably enough time to take in most of the gallery, though you can slow down and appreciate your surroundings by relaxing at the on-site Art Café, or browsing the excellent gift shop. The gallery is signposted from Suleiman al-Nabulsi St, opposite the King Abdullah Mosque.
reviewed
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Darat al-Funun
On the hillside to the north of the downtown area, Darat al-Funun is a superb complex dedicated to placing contemporary art at the heart of Jordan’s cultural life. The main building features a small art gallery with works by Jordanian and other Arab artists, an art library, and workshops for Jordanian and visiting sculptors and painters. A schedule of upcoming exhibitions, lectures, films and public discussion forums is available on the website and in the Jordan Times newspaper.
reviewed
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Courtyard
This cultural complex wraps around the eponymous courtyard flanked by an eccentric hodgepodge of buildings that makes it look like a miniature movie studio backlot: here an Arab fort, there a Moorish facade or an Egyptian tomb. It’s the brainchild of Iranian expat artist Dariush Zandi, who also runs the bi-level gallery Total Arts at The Courtyard, specialising in Middle Eastern art. Other spaces are occupied by a cafe, artist studios and various creative businesses.
reviewed
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XVA Gallery
One of Dubai’s best-loved and most reputable galleries, XVA occupies a warren of rooms in a beautifully restored Bastakia courtyard residence. Curators showcase contemporary paintings, sculptures and art installations from regional and international artists. They also organise the annual Bastakiya Art Fair and art-house movie screenings (November to April). The complex also houses the delightful XVA cafe and boutique hotel.
reviewed
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Arts & Crafts Village
A beautiful white-painted adobe complex, the Arts & Crafts Village is where traditional Palestinian handicrafts, such as weaving, embroidery, copper work and woodwork, are kept alive. The village runs training courses and summer camps for children and workshops for adults, and regularly hosts local and international exhibitions. Its Abu Nawwas restaurant makes a pleasant place for a laid-back lunch accompanied by a bubbling nargileh.
reviewed
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Third Line
Third Line is the ‘baby’ of a couple of talented young curators, Sunny Rahbar and Claudia Cellini, and is one of the city’s more exciting art spaces. Artists represented often transcend the rules of traditional styles to create fresh new forms. Recent exhibitions have included the arresting op art of Rana Begum and the elaborate paintings of Iranian artist Farhad Moshiri, as well as group exhibits of emerging Emirati artists.
reviewed
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Gallery Isabelle Van Den Eynd
Previously known as B21, this innovative gallery has lifted some of the most promising talent from around the Middle East from obscurity into the spotlight. The mythology-laced installations, videos and collages of Cairo-based Lara Baladi and the distorted photography of Iranian-born Ramin Haerizadeh are among the works that have attracted collectors and the curious since the space’s opening in 2005.
reviewed
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The JamJar
The JamJar is more than just another gallery exhibiting contemporary art by emerging local and international talent. It’s a DIY painting studio too, so if you’re feeling the creative urge, you can hire an easel, a canvas and all the paint and paper you require to create your own masterpiece. Twice a year the space also hosts the independent film series Mahmovies!.
reviewed
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Meem Gallery
An ambitious co-venture by two Emirati business tycoons and British art dealer Charlie Pocock, this blue-chip gallery is dedicated to presenting the masters of modern Arab art. As such, it usually exhibits some pretty big names, such as Libyan calligrapher Ali Omar Ermes, the pop art of Jordan’s Jamal Abdul Rahim or paintings by modern Arab art pioneer Dia Al-Azzawi from Iraq.
reviewed
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B21 Gallery
In this warehouse space, Palestinian artist Jeffar Khaldi shows his own vibrant work, as well as rotating exhibitions of locally produced and regional art, such as Ramin Haerizadeh’s distorted photography. It’s worth a look if you’re in this developing arts neighbourhood, but call first if you’re not, as they could be in-between exhibitions.
reviewed
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Majlis Gallery
In a fabulous old house in the Bastakia Quarter, Majlis Gallery is one of Dubai’s oldest commercial galleries, established in 1989. Compared with the progressive galleries in Al-Quoz, Majlis is much more traditional and gentle, focusing on paintings and sculpture created by international artists, many of them based in – and inspired by – the region.
reviewed
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1x1 Art Space
Dubai has of late been emerging as a key place for sourcing Indian art, in part because of the efforts of Malini Gulrajani, whose mission is to showcase the best in contemporary works from the subcontinent. With shows by such painters as Jatin Das and TV Santosh, this grand and elegant gallery has a fixed spot on the radar of avid collectors.
reviewed
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Sharjah Art Museum
Anchoring the Arts Area, Sharjah Art Museum is one of the UAE’s largest and most impressive galleries. Its permanent exhibition includes 18th- and 19th-century oil paintings, watercolours and lithographs from the ruling family’s collection; curators also mount changing shows of local and international contemporary talent.
reviewed
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Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art
On HaNassi, next to the Dan Carmel hotel, is the somewhat incongruous Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art and its unique collection of Far Eastern works. The museum, founded by Felix Tikotin in 1957, features everything from 14th-century Buddhist scroll art to pottery, metal work and newer exhibits on Japanese animation and even Pokémon.
reviewed
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Beit Lothan
The cultural centre, Beit Lothan, promotes the work of Kuwaiti and Gulf artists and craftspeople through regular exhibitions in a 1930s house that was originally the home of the country's late emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah. Coffee, tea and a sheesha are available in a quiet garden, adjacent to the centre.
reviewed
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Total Arts At The Courtyard
In a modern courtyard complex with artists' workshops, designers, craftsmen and media companies, Total Arts holds changing exhibitions of contemporary art and Islamic calligraphy, along with rare carpets, textiles and sculptures by local and regional artists. Also check out The Courtyard Gallery while you're here.
reviewed
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Cave
In the International Center of Bethlehem (natives know the centre as Dar Annadwa) is housed the Cave which has extended hours for exhibits. Watch artisans at work through large windows, then go into the gallery/gift shop and bookstore. Don't miss how it gets its name - an ancient cave-dwelling on the lower level.
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Green Art Gallery
With regular temporary exhibitions and a growing permanent collection concentrating on the work of artists living in the UAE, this small commercial gallery is committed to nurturing local talent and developing the art scene. It also helps educate artists about international art distribution and promotion.
reviewed
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Carbon 12
This edgy gallery represents paintings, sculpture, photographs and media created by newly discovered as well as internationally established artists, all of them hand-picked. The clear lines and minimalist vibe of the white-cube space offers a perfect setting for both large-scale and smaller pieces.
reviewed
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Iranian Photographers’ Centre
The Iranian Photographers’ Centre has rolling exhibits of the work of local and, occasionally, international photographers. The adjoining shop sells and processes slide film and sells pro equipment. Not surprisingly, it’s a good place to meet Iranian photographers.
reviewed
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Aks Khaneh
The Aks Khaneh is one of the highlights of the Golestan complex. The photographs depicting Qajar court life are fascinating; look particularly for the picture showing the inside of a Zoroastrian tower of silence, with bodies in varying states of decay, and the shot of 'freaks and dwarfs'.
reviewed
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National Handicrafts Training Center
The gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the National Handicrafts Training Center. This former samsarah (resting/storage house for merchants using the old incense trading routes) also houses a series of other shops selling silverware, woodwork, and semi-precious stones etc.
reviewed
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Artists' Palace
The so-called Artists' Palace occupies a former khan, or travellers' inn; the old storerooms are now used as makeshift studio and exhibition spaces for local artists, some of whose work is for sale. The khan doesn't really compare with those seen in Damascus and Aleppo.
reviewed
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Ayyam Gallery
In a chic, sleek art space designed by Syria's revered architect Ghiath Machnok, this is one of the region's most exciting galleries, showing engaging work by Syrian artists such as Abdulla Murad, Safwan Dahoul, Mounzer Kamnakache, Yousset Abdelke and Fadi Yazigi.
reviewed
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National Art Centre
Housed in a traditional tower house, the National Art Centre is good not just for checking out the local art scene, but also for a spot of shopping. In addition to pieces by local artists there are lots of interesting photos of San'a taken in the 1920s.
reviewed
