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Spanning seven states, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) is witnessing rapid development in its domestic arts scene and has emerged as one of the art world’s preeminent hubs.

Its cultural infrastructure and packed calendar of events continue to grow and develop, with highly anticipated openings of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum among the upcoming developments.

In February, the internationally acclaimed Sharjah Biennial opened its 16th edition with an exciting lineup of renowned artists, including Arthur Jafa, Cécile B. Evans, and Monira Al Qadiri. This week, another highly anticipated global flagship art event in the region, Art Dubai, will launch its 18th edition at Madinat Jumeirah, hosting more than 120 galleries from over 40 countries.

The U.A.E. has witnessed rapid transformation in the past 50 years, with many who live there today speaking multiple languages, working towards advancing their respective fields, and travelling the world. The Emirates also has diverse local and expatriate communities who call its various cities home, as exemplified by its myriad young art patrons and collectors.

Artsy spoke with 10 collectors based in the U.A.E. about their approaches to purchasing art.

Ranging from a doctor, to an NFT collector, to a supper club chef, those included here represent a growing and thriving diversity that is becoming a core facet of the U.A.E.’s identity.

Maryam Al Falasi

Founder, Iris Projects

Maryam Al Falasi, currently in her mid-20s, started collecting when she turned 16. “Growing up, my mother would take me to museums instead of theme parks during holidays abroad, and being exposed to art at such a young age sowed a seed that has never left,” she told Artsy.

Over the years, Al Falasi has endeavoured to build and maintain a comprehensive repository and visual witness of the art scene within the U.A.E. and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries from the 1950s until today. Her collection includes works by Emirati artist Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, Saudi painter Fahad Hajailan, and others.

“Being a young collector gives me the opportunity to grow alongside the artists of our time, building a collection that not only reflects our contemporary moment but also contributes to a thriving regional art ecosystem,” she said.

Through Iris Projects, a contemporary art gallery and arts agency she founded based in Abu Dhabi, Al Falasi also represents leading regional artists, manages multiple art and cultural projects throughout the U.A.E., and advises other collectors.

Dr Aarti Javeri

Director, Sustain Health

Javeri, a renowned internal medicine specialist in Dubai and a spokesperson for the World Health Organization, is also an avid art collector.

“My husband and I began collecting art in 2021 as part of a broader vision to build a collection that could be passed down to our children,” Javeri told Artsy. “What started as a deliberate effort has since evolved organically, with each family member developing their own unique connection to different pieces, sparking rich and engaging conversations at home.”

The couple’s collecting journey began at Nino Mier in Brussels. Thanks to additional guidance of Carbon 12 and Galerie Max Hetzler, they have been able to add depth and dimension to their envisioned family collection, shaping it into something truly meaningful, with works by André Butzer, Olaf Breuning, Cindy Phenix, among others.

“Our collection is defined by themes of comedy, playfulness, and light-heartedness—reflecting the lively energy of our home with the twins and our youngest son,” Javeri said. “At its core, it is a celebration of self-discovery, a value we deeply embrace as a family.”

Salvatore Lavallo

Managing director, Apeiron Investment Group

Salvatore Lavallo, a former head of foreign direct investment at Abu Dhabi Investment Office, has lived in the U.A.E. for almost 14 years, and he has “always been surrounded by close friends who are artists, gallerists, and curators.”

“My career in investments is grounded in structure and logic, so art has become a kind of necessary counterpart—a creative, emotional escape,” he told Artsy.

Lavallo’s collection comprises more than 125 works, with a geographical focus on the U.A.E. and Tanzania—the two countries he has called home since 2011.

Reflecting the evolving artistic landscapes of each nation, the collection includes works by influential figures such as Mohammed Ahmed Ibrahim, Abdul Qader Al Rais, Mohammed Kazem, Edward Saidi Tingatinga, Sam Joseph Ntiro, and George Lilanga. Also present in his collection is a new generation of emerging artists with whom he has cultivated close personal relationships, including Undare Mtaki, Tura Gyindo, Almaha Jaralla, Afra Al Dhaheri, and Hashel Al Lamki.

“I try to collect not just based on personal preference, but with an eye toward what feels historically and culturally significant,” he said. “I’m conscious of the broader narrative the collection might someday tell [about] Tanzania and the U.AE to wider audiences.”

Ekaterina Plastinina

Associate director, Green Art Gallery

A dedicated patron of young artists, Ekaterina Plastinina founded the patron circle for Bayt Al Mamzar, a family home that evolved into an independent art space which provides support to early career artists.

“Having lived in the U.A.E. for the past decade—a country defined by its crossroads of cultures and nationalities—my collection has been shaped by the unique intersection of South Asia and the Middle East,” she said.

Plastinina’s collection features works from both established and up-and-coming artists, including Fatma Al Ali, Asma Belhamar, and Afra Al Dhaheri, as well as contributions from Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai, Youdhisthir Maharjan, and Satyanarayana Gavara, among others.

“My primary focus lies in exploring themes of architecture, history, and the erasure of collective memories through the passage of time and the forces of separation,” she noted of her approach.

Plastinina is specifically drawn to works that “convey their message through subtlety and minimalism—pieces that do not scream, but rather whisper. These are the kinds of works that invite you to pause and reflect, offering new insights each time you engage with them, constantly sparking curiosity and thought.”

Margo Castro

Collector and curator, Pinkum Collection

Margo Castro’s first art acquisition was a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) artwork by Refik Anadol: “I still cherish this piece, Quantum Memories (2021), as part of my digital art collection,” she noted.

She and her husband, Jordan Castro, co-founder of entertainment & NFT brand Doodles, began buying art together when they got married.

Featured in Architectural Digest Middle East, the Castros’ home in Dubai is filled with artworks by the likes of Iranian-born painter Maryam Lamei and Portuguese Chinese artist Bibi Lei.

The couple’s self-titled Pinkum Collection “initially centered on figuration and vibrant colors. Since relocating to the U.A.E., we’ve shifted our focus toward local and regional artists,” according to Castro.

“I am determined to discover the Middle East for myself creatively and intellectually. I’ve traveled to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to meet up with local collectors and artists, and I’ve also visited local collectors in the UAE to understand their tastes and approaches,” she said.

“Our focus remains on emerging artists—there’s something special about collecting works from artists of our own generation,” Castro added.

Nadine Khoury

Curator and founder, Nasij Art Advisory

Nadine Khoury, who has roots in Palestine and Syria, founded Nasij Art Advisory and the Young Collectors Circle in Dubai. She has moved around the Gulf and America extensively, buying her very first work at NADA Miami in 2013 during a field study visit while pursuing her master’s at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in New York.

The young millennial’s collection is centered around Arab art, with a particular focus on Palestinian artists.

While each piece holds deep significance, Khoury is “particularly proud of my most recent acquisition from Abu Dhabi Art, purchased from Gallery One, Ramallah—a work by Emily Fanous Azzar, a true treasure in modernist, Palestinian Art.”

Khoury feels a strong sense of responsibility to keep the dialogue around Arab art ongoing, using her collection as a means to educate those around her as well as future generations. “I hope it contributes to making art more accessible beyond institutional spaces, fostering cultural dialogue, preserving artistic heritage, and ensuring that diverse identities remain visible and celebrated,” she said.

Nour Moufarrej

Communications manager, TRACCS

Dubai-based PR professional Nour Moufarrej’s first artwork was passed down to her from her grandfather—a painting by Armenian Lebanese artist Paul Guiragossian from the 1970s.

Since then, the 27-year-old has been avidly acquiring art, paying close attention to detail, technique, and the artist’s background and vision.

“I started collecting by initially acquiring a wide variety of exclusive collectibles,” Moufarrej told Artsy. “Over time, my taste evolved, and I shifted towards acquiring contemporary paintings, gradually curating a refined and diverse collection that reflects my growing passion for art.”

Her collection currently includes works by artists whom she deeply admires, including Indian artist Keerthana S Kumar and renowned Lebanese artist Suzi Fadel Nassif.

“I believe in embracing diverse artistic styles and cultures, which is especially important in today’s globalized world,” she told Artsy.

Amer Madhoun

Founder and head of creative, Collectus Studio

An architect and designer who founded his own company, Collectus Studio, Amer Madhoun started to actively budget and work towards finding pieces that resonated with him in 2024.

“I saw a piece by an amazing Filipino artist Joar Songcuya, at the Jameel Art Center during their exhibition titled ‘Edge of Land.’ The themes, colors, and mediums resonated with me,” he said.

“There is also a vivid nature to his representation with an almost primitive rendering that I enjoyed and that triggered me to contact the artist for a commission in order for it to be the first proper art acquisition,” he added.

Madhoun intends to focus more on buying works by artists from the MENA region, as he wants to prioritize art that speaks to similar experiences he has had as a Palestinian and Lebanese person born and raised in the U.A.E.

“In the future, I would like to focus on collecting pieces from some of my personal favorites like Khaled Zaki and Paul Guiragossian, sort of iconic pieces that helped introduce me to artistic practices many years ago,” he said.

Siddharth Javeri

Diamantaire

Siddharth Javeri’s art collecting journey began at Art Dubai 2021 when he first purchased an artwork by Irakli Bugiani.

Like his sister, the aforementioned Dr. Aarti Javeri, Siddharth turned to one of the mainstay galleries in Dubai, Carbon 12, for help to navigate the “labyrinth” of the art market as he was “a bit lost and overwhelmed with the choices available.”

Most of the works he buys are paintings focusing on sociopolitical issues and the shared human struggles faced by society. One such artist featured in his collection is Amir Khojasteh.“I’m quite excited to see how Khojasteh’s practice transforms now that he’s moved out of Iran and he’s currently in Belgium, where I’m coincidentally from,” he observed.

“I see my collection as an extension of myself, reflecting not only my personal perspectives, but also the prevailing views of my time. To me, art and collecting serve as a snapshot of diverse viewpoints at any moment,” he added.

Judy Karkour

Chef and founder, ōdē

Chef and founder of one of Dubai’s prominent supper club, ōdē, Judy Karkour purchased her first unique piece while interning at Art Dubai in 2019—a work by Turkish artist Ramazan Can from his “Cupboard/Attic” series, paying homage to Yörüks, a tribe from Turkey.

“I firstly try to immerse myself in the artist’s practice to understand the conceptual background, seeing it grow and develop. Secondly, I have to visually connect with the work to purchase it,” Karkour said.

The 30-year-old shared that her vision for her collecting practice involves focusing on emerging artists and getting to know them directly through their practices.

An artist whom Karkour is very excited about is Palestinian artist Khaled Jarada: “I have a paper work by the artist from his first solo exhibition, ‘Non Key Frame,’ that I had worked on directly. The work is a pastel sketch for a larger canvas work that I loved but didn’t have space for, so I opted for the smaller version.”

Andy Warhol’s Big Electric Chair (1967–68) will headline Christie’s 20th-century evening sale during the spring marquee week in New York on May 12th. The painting, depicting an electric chair at Sing Sing Penitentiary, comes from the revered Matthys-Colle Collection. The low estimate will be in the ballpark of $30 million, according to the auction house.

First shown at Warhol’s major European retrospective at Stockholm’s Moderna Museet in 1968, Big Electric Chair was acquired by Belgian collectors Roger Matthys and Hilda Colle in 1969.

“Big Electric Chair is the ultimate still life,” said Alex Rotter, chairman of 20th- and 21st-century art at Christie’s. “It is singular within Warhol’s oeuvre—a solitary object in a quiet moment, reflecting the fragility of the human condition. The work is a tribute to the great still lifes that come before it, from Dutch Masters to [Paul] Cézanne.”

Warhol’s “Death and Disaster” series is traced back to Lavender Disaster (1963), created shortly after Sing Sing State Penitentiary executed Eddie Lee Mays—the last person to be executed in New York. Big Electric Chair stands out within that series, focusing solely on the electric chair without additional contextual elements often seen in other versions, such as doors or signage. Its isolated depiction invites viewers to ponder the stark realities of life and death, reminiscent of memento mori themes from the Renaissance era.

Big Electric Chair differs from the full series of 14 electric chair works because it is the only example where Warhol screened the image with black silkscreen against a monochrome background. In 2014, another piece from the same series, depicting the chair in shades of blue, green, and pink, was sold for $20.43 million at Sotheby’s New York.